Vansh TiwariI understand some of you might be considering that you do not fancy traveling long distances by road, plus Kashmir by Road from Delhi is over 800 km.
It will forever be a big NO from the majority of the people.
However, I think that the thrill of the journey and enthusiasm can only be satisfied when it makes you wait and test your patience.
Trust me!
Kashmir by road from Delhi will be your best road trip and an exhausting one. But all the tiredness will run away upon arriving in Kashmir.
Towards the end, I will be sharing the other ways too. First, however, we will be focusing on public transport.
Hence, let’s commence our road journey.
Table of Contents
How to Reach Kashmir from Delhi
To reach Kashmir by Delhi, you must divide your journey into different halves.
- Delhi to Jammu
- Jammu to Srinagar
We will be looking at Delhi to Jammu firstly –
There is no direct bus to Kashmir.
The options to reach from Delhi to Srinagar by road are –
Delhi to Jammu and then Srinagar
If you are going to take this route during the summer season, then you will be facing some challenges like:
- Amarnath Yatra season
Let’s go step by step –
During the Amarnath Yatra season
The course will be Delhi – Jammu – Srinagar
Buses from Delhi to Jammu –
On Regular, Delhi to Jammu buses leaves from ISBT Kashmere Gate, which you can reach on counter no.29.
*There are different counters for different state buses.
Counter no.29 from Kashmere Gate, the buses leave for Katra, Jammu, Jalandhar, and Pathankot.
Also Read, How you can Make a Trip to Kinnaur Valley under 8K
Here are some of the buses which leave from ISBT Kashmere gate –
Note – No Volvo Buses, only Ordinary buses.
- One leaves at 5 p.m. and reaches Jammu at about 4 a.m., costing Rs.640 per person.
- Other buses to Jammu are by J&K and leave Delhi at around 5:30 p.m, 6: 30 p.m, 7: 30 p.m, respectively, the total charge of Rs.645 per person.
OR
You can book online Volvo buses from Make my trip or Red bus. You can get several options from Low rate according to your time preference.
Reaching Jammu from Delhi during the Amarnath season is no problem but reaching Srinagar from Jammu requires some calculations.
During Amarnath yatra,
The military does not allow any tourists from outside J&K.
The entries are time-based, say I will be telling from personal experience (might be wrong) (please correct if someone knows the exact timings) 3 p.m – 7 p.m. During Amarnath season, tourists are allowed in the early morning from 5 a.m to 9 a.m.
If you are from outside J&K and coming as a tourist between say morning around for e.x – 11 a.m or 12 a.m, 2 p.m or 3 p.m. Then, you would not be allowed to enter except when the clock timings say.
So, this is the calculation you must do if you come to Kashmir during Amarnath Yatra.
One more challenge is upon reaching Jammu from Delhi by bus. You have to take a cab; there are very early morning and night buses that will take a lot of time (say 2days) to reach Srinagar from Jammu. Because of speculations due to Yatra.
Also Read, Trekking in Kashmir – Guide to Blissful Katarnag Lake Trek
That stands done for the safety of everyone – the Yatris, Locals, and tourists. So, you must consider this situation when deciding to arrive in Srinagar via a shared cab from Jammu.
Ahh, one more important thing to come via a shared taxi from Srinagar.
The charges are between Rs1000-Rs1200 per person between Tavera (Simple cars) and Innova.
There are two roads –
- One Via Mughal road
- Second Via Udhampur Highway route (People call this route a straight route for better clarification).
Regular buses ply between Jammu and Srinagar except for the Amarnath Yatra period. You have to take a shared taxi.
Also Read, Aru Valley Pahalgam – A Complete Guide
Delhi to Katra and then Srinagar
You can make a trip to Mata Vaishno Devi from this option and might leave for Srinagar the next day.
You can take a train or bus to reach Katra, which is easily accessible by both options.
Shared cabs or personal cabs are available from Katra to Srinagar.
Delhi to Srinagar by flight
It will be going to take 2-3hrs to reach Delhi to Srinagar. Most people prefer this option because it saves time and is pretty economical.
Delhi to Srinagar by Train
Since there are no direct trains available. So, one must take a train from Delhi to Jammu, and the rest of the journey can be covered by a shared cab.
Conclusion
I consider all the options are available and you have to choose according to your priority and comfort.
That is how you can reach Kashmir by road from Delhi, as I had already shared in detail by Road/ Public Transport.
Furthermore, Srinagar is awaiting.
I have spent 24hrs in Srinagar, and you can do the same.
I hope it will be going to help people.
Please follow the blog for more updates.
Comment if you think you can add further information or correct it anywhere.
I will be happy to add/correct.
Until then, see you on the roads.