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How The Delhi To Srinagar Rail Journey Works In 2026
To reach Kashmir from Delhi by train in 2026, travel in two legs: an overnight train from Delhi to Jammu Tawi, then a Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharat (26401 at 6:20 AM or 26403 at 1:20 PM), which runs the 269 km valley line in under five hours. There is no direct Delhi to Srinagar train yet.
For years the honest answer to how to reach Kashmir from Delhi by train was blunt: you could not, because the valley’s own railway (Baramulla to Banihal, running since 2008 to 2013) was cut off from the rest of the Indian network. That changed in June 2025, when the last gap in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) closed and trains began running from the Jammu side straight into Srinagar. There is still no single through-train from Delhi to Srinagar, so the trip is two legs: a normal overnight train from Delhi to Jammu Tawi (about 577 km), then the Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharat, which crosses the Chenab bridge and reaches Srinagar in under five hours. This guide gives you the current trains, real fares, distances and the fastest way to string the two legs together in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Yes, you can now train to Kashmir: the valley has been connected to India’s main rail network since June 2025, so you can reach Srinagar by train, not just Jammu.
- The 2026 route is two legs: a Delhi to Jammu Tawi train, then one of two Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharats (26401 in the morning or 26403 in the afternoon; 269 km, under 5 hours, each 6 days a week). No single Delhi to Srinagar train exists yet.
- Fastest from Delhi: the New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat (22439) reaches Jammu Tawi in about 6h45m and Katra in about 8h20m; the Jammu Rajdhani (12425) is the fastest overnight train, reaching Jammu Tawi in roughly 8h20m.
- What it costs: Delhi to Jammu Tawi runs from about Rs 335 in sleeper and about Rs 895 to Rs 2,300 in AC 3-tier and 2-tier; the Srinagar Vande Bharat leg is from around Rs 715 to Rs 900 in chair car. Fares are indicative, so confirm on IRCTC.
- Coming soon: a direct Delhi to Srinagar Vande Bharat is expected but not yet running. Until it starts, plan the change at Jammu Tawi or Katra.
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The two-leg route, train timings, fares and distances for Delhi to Kashmir by rail
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How to reach Kashmir from Delhi by train in 2026
Take any Delhi to Jammu Tawi train (the Jammu Rajdhani 12425, Uttar Sampark Kranti 12445 or the New Delhi to Katra Vande Bharat 22439 are the usual picks), then change to a Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharat (26401 at 6:20 AM or 26403 at 1:20 PM), which runs the 269 km valley line in under five hours, six days a week each. Total travel time from Delhi is roughly a night plus a morning. There is no single direct Delhi to Srinagar train yet; if you would rather not change trains, fly Delhi to Srinagar (about 1h20m) or take the train to Jammu and drive the roughly 250 km up NH44.
Delhi to Srinagar by train: what changed in 2025 and 2026
This is the part most older guides still get wrong. On 6 June 2025 the Prime Minister inaugurated the 272 km Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link, and regular Vande Bharat services between the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley began the next day. For the first time, a train runs from the rest of India all the way into Srinagar. The line is an engineering headline in its own right: it crosses the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway arch bridge, with its deck about 359 m above the river, and the Anji Khad bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
The Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharat (26401 / 26402)
The valley leg is run by two Vande Bharat pairs. Train 26401 leaves Jammu Tawi at 6:20 AM and reaches Srinagar at 11:10 AM (every day except Tuesday), and 26402 returns from Srinagar at 2:00 PM. The second pair, 26403, leaves Jammu Tawi at 1:20 PM and reaches Srinagar at 6:00 PM (every day except Wednesday), with 26404 coming back down at 8:00 AM. Each covers 269 km in about 4 hours 40 to 50 minutes, stopping at Udhampur, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Banihal (the 26401 also halts at Reasi). Both pairs started from Katra when they launched in June 2025; from 30 April 2026 they were extended to Jammu Tawi, so you can now board in Jammu itself. Timings shifted with that change, so always pull the live slot on IRCTC before you lock your Delhi connection.
So is there a direct Delhi to Srinagar train?
Not yet. As of October 2026 you still change once, at Jammu Tawi or Katra, because the Delhi trains and the valley Vande Bharat are separate services. A single through Delhi to Srinagar Vande Bharat, likely an overnight sleeper, has been widely reported and is expected to start once the last approvals and the Jammu station rebuild are done, with late 2026 the date doing the rounds. Treat it as coming, not bookable: until Indian Railways puts a train number and timetable against it, plan the two-leg trip below
Delhi to Jammu Tawi and Katra trains: timetable and running days
These are the workhorse trains for the first leg. Jammu Tawi is the better railhead if you are connecting to the 26401 Srinagar Vande Bharat; Katra suits pilgrims combining Vaishno Devi. Timings below are the usual scheduled slots, but train numbers and times are revised often, so confirm the live schedule on IRCTC when you book.
| Train (number) | Route | Departs Delhi | Arrives | Journey | Runs on |
| New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat (22439) | NDLS to SMVD Katra | 6:00 AM | 2:20 PM (Katra); 12:45 PM at Jammu Tawi | ~8h20m | 6 days (not Wed) |
| Jammu Rajdhani (12425) | NDLS to Jammu Tawi | 8:40 PM | 5:00 AM | ~8h20m | Daily |
| Uttar Sampark Kranti (12445) | NDLS to SMVD Katra | 8:50 PM | 7:55 AM (Katra) | ~11h05m | Daily |
| Shri Shakti Express (22461) | NDLS to SMVD Katra | 7:05 PM | 5:40 AM (Katra) | ~10h35m | Daily |
| Swaraj Express (12471) | Bandra Terminus to SMVD Katra (via New Delhi) | 5:40 AM | 5:50 PM (Katra) | ~12h10m | Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat |
| Malwa Express (12919) | Dr Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow) to SMVD Katra (via New Delhi) | 4:30 AM | 4:30 PM (Katra) [VERIFY: Malwa 12919 Katra arrival – sources conflict] | ~12h | Daily |
| JAT Duronto (12265) | Delhi Sarai Rohilla to Jammu Tawi | 10:30 PM | 7:10 AM | ~8h40m | Tue, Fri, Sun |
Delhi to Jammu / Katra train fares by class
Fares depend on the train and class, and rise with dynamic pricing on the premium services. The ranges below are indicative for the Delhi to Jammu Tawi / Katra leg; check the exact fare for your date and train on IRCTC before booking. The last row shows the valley leg: the Srinagar Vande Bharat from Jammu Tawi.
| Class | What you get | Indicative fare |
| Sleeper (SL) | Non-AC berth, cheapest option | Rs 335 to Rs 550 (Delhi to Jammu / Katra) |
| AC 3-tier (3A) | AC berth, most popular | Rs 895 to Rs 1,690 (Delhi to Jammu / Katra) |
| AC 2-tier (2A) | Roomier AC berth | Rs 1,300 to Rs 2,300 (Delhi to Jammu / Katra) |
| AC First (1A) | Private cabins, top fare | Rs 2,200 to Rs 3,500 (Delhi to Jammu / Katra) [VERIFY: Rajdhani 12425 1A fare may exceed Rs 3,500 – check IRCTC] |
| Chair Car (CC) | Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat / day-train seating | Rs 1,160 to Rs 1,700 (Delhi to Katra) |
| Executive (EC) | Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat premium seating | Rs 2,350 to Rs 3,100 (Delhi to Katra) |
| Srinagar Vande Bharat (26401 / 26403), valley leg | Jammu Tawi to Srinagar chair car / executive | From around Rs 715 to 900 CC / Rs 1,300 to 1,550 EC (Jammu Tawi to Srinagar) |
On the valley leg, the Srinagar Vande Bharat runs from around Rs 715 to Rs 900 in chair car and from around Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,550 in executive class [VERIFY: live Jammu Tawi-Srinagar CC/EC fares on IRCTC], so a full Delhi to Srinagar rail trip in AC works out to a modest total once you add both legs.
Delhi to Kashmir distance by train and road
A lot of older pages quote a single confusing distance. Here is the leg-by-leg picture. By rail it is about 845 km from Delhi to Srinagar once you add the two legs; the valley leg itself is a short 269 km.
| Leg | By rail | By road |
| Delhi to Jammu Tawi | ~577 km | ~590 km |
| Delhi to SMVD Katra | ~655 km | ~640 km |
| Jammu Tawi to Srinagar | 269 km (new valley line) | ~250 km (NH44) |
| Delhi to Srinagar (total) | ~845 km (two legs) | ~840 km |
How to reach Srinagar from Delhi by train in 4 steps
- Book the first leg: pick a Delhi to Jammu Tawi train that gets you in by morning. The Jammu Rajdhani (12425) is the reliable overnight choice, arriving around 5:00 AM; the New Delhi to Katra Vande Bharat (22439) is the fastest day train and also stops at Jammu Tawi around 12:45 PM.
- Book the valley leg: reserve the 26401 (6:20 AM, not Tuesday) or the 26403 (1:20 PM, not Wednesday) Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharat for the same or next day. Seats on both are limited, so book early in peak season (May to July, and the snow months).
- Leave a buffer: keep a comfortable gap at Jammu Tawi (or Katra) between the two trains so a late arrival on the first leg does not cost you the Vande Bharat.
- In practice the overnight Rajdhani (about 5:00 AM into Jammu Tawi) pairs with the 6:20 AM 26401, except after a Monday-night departure, because the 26401 does not run on Tuesday; on that day take the 1:20 PM 26403 instead. The morning 22439 Vande Bharat (about 12:45 PM into Jammu Tawi) pairs with the 1:20 PM 26403, which is the last valley train of the day, so if the 22439 runs late your fallbacks are a taxi up NH44 or the next morning’s 26401.
- Arrive in Srinagar: Srinagar railway station is at Nowgam on the southern edge of the city, a taxi ride from Dal Lake and the city centre. Taxis and cabs are available outside.
Delhi se Kashmir train se kaise jaye (Hinglish guide)
Agar aap Delhi se Kashmir train se jaana chahte hain, to 2026 mein rasta do hisson mein hai. Pehle Delhi se Jammu Tawi tak koi bhi train len, jaise Jammu Rajdhani (12425) ya New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat (22439). Uske baad Jammu Tawi se Srinagar ke liye nayi Vande Bharat pakden: subah 6:20 wali 26401 (mangalwar ko nahi) ya dopahar 1:20 wali 26403 (budhwar ko nahi). Dono lagbhag 4 ghante 50 minute mein Srinagar pahunchati hain. Delhi se Srinagar ke liye abhi koi seedhi train nahi hai, isliye ek baar train badalni padegi. Kiraya aur samay IRCTC par book karne se pehle zaroor check kar len.
What the valley line looks like from the window
The stretch worth staying awake for starts after Katra. The train climbs through the Reasi hills and out onto the Chenab bridge, where the deck runs some 359 m above the river gorge, high enough that the water looks like a thread. Past Banihal the line drops into the Kashmir Valley and the scenery flips to apple orchards, paddy terraces and the first sight of the Pir Panjal snow line. It is a short journey by Indian standards, so keep your phone charged and grab a window seat. [LINK: https://traveltriangle.com/tour-packages/kashmir]
Planning your Kashmir trip by train
The takeaway for 2026 is simple: you no longer stop at Jammu. Train to Jammu Tawi overnight, catch the 26401 or 26403 Vande Bharat into the valley, and you are watching the Chenab gorge slide past a few hours later. Keep an eye out for the direct Delhi to Srinagar service, which should make the whole thing one ticket before long. When you are ready to turn the route into a real trip, browse our Kashmir tour packages for customisable itineraries that handle the transfers, houseboats and sightseeing once you arrive.[LINK: https://traveltriangle.com/tour-packages/kashmir]
FAQs
Delhi To Kashmir Trains: Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on direct trains, the Srinagar Vande Bharat, fares, distances and booking
No, there is no single direct train from Delhi to Srinagar as of October 2026. You travel in two legs: a normal train from Delhi to Jammu Tawi, then the Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharat (26401 or 26403), changing once at Jammu Tawi or Katra. A through Delhi to Srinagar train is expected in the future but is not yet running.
Yes. Since the last section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link opened in June 2025, Vande Bharat trains run into Srinagar from Jammu Tawi. Older guides that say 'Kashmir has no railway, the line ends at Jammu' are out of date. You still cannot board one train in Delhi and get off in Srinagar, but you can now finish the trip by rail instead of by road.
Not yet. The Vande Bharat that serves the valley runs between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar (trains 26401/26402 and 26403/26404), not from Delhi. A separate direct Delhi to Srinagar Vande Bharat, likely an overnight sleeper, has been reported and is expected to launch once final clearances are complete, with late 2026 being discussed. Check for a confirmed train number and schedule before you plan around it.
Board the 26401 (6:20 AM) or 26403 (1:20 PM) Vande Bharat at Jammu Tawi, or further up the line at Katra. Each covers the 269 km valley line in under five hours, stopping at Udhampur, Katra and Banihal; the 26401 skips Tuesdays and the 26403 skips Wednesdays. Chair car runs from around Rs 715 to Rs 900 and executive from around Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,550 [VERIFY: live Jammu Tawi-Srinagar CC/EC fares on IRCTC]. Book early in the May to July and winter peaks.
For the Jammu leg, the New Delhi to Katra Vande Bharat (22439) is the quickest, reaching Jammu Tawi in about 6 hours 45 minutes and Katra in about 8 hours 20 minutes; it runs by day and skips Wednesdays. For an overnight arrival at Jammu Tawi, the Jammu Rajdhani (12425) is the fastest sleeper option at roughly 8 hours 20 minutes
It depends on class. Sleeper is roughly Rs 335 to Rs 550, AC 3-tier about Rs 895 to Rs 1,690, AC 2-tier about Rs 1,300 to Rs 2,300, and AC first class Rs 2,200 to Rs 3,500. Vande Bharat chair car sits around Rs 1,160 to Rs 1,700. These are indicative and move with dynamic pricing, so check IRCTC for your date.
There is no train straight to Srinagar, but a dozen-plus daily and weekly trains connect Delhi with Jammu Tawi and Katra, including the Jammu Rajdhani, Uttar Sampark Kranti, Shri Shakti Express, Swaraj Express, Malwa Express, JAT Duronto and the New Delhi to Katra Vande Bharat. From Jammu Tawi, the 26401 Vande Bharat completes the run into Srinagar.
For Srinagar city it is Srinagar railway station itself; the first stations inside the Kashmir Valley, after the Pir Panjal rail tunnel, are Qazigund and Anantnag on the same line. Srinagar station has existed since 2008, but until June 2025 the valley line was not connected to the rest of the network, so travellers from Delhi left the train at Jammu Tawi, Udhampur or Katra and finished by road. Today trains from Jammu Tawi run straight through to Srinagar, and the line continues north to Baramulla.
By rail it is about 577 km from Delhi to Jammu Tawi and a further 269 km from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar, so roughly 845 km end to end across the two legs. By road the total is around 840 km. The valley leg is short; most of the distance and time is the Delhi to Jammu overnight run.
Do hisson mein: pehle Delhi se Jammu Tawi tak train (jaise Jammu Rajdhani 12425 ya New Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat 22439), phir Jammu Tawi se Srinagar Vande Bharat (26401 ya 26403), jo 269 km ka safar 4 ghante 50 minute mein poora karti hai. Delhi se seedhi Srinagar train abhi nahi hai, isliye ek baar train badalni hogi. Booking IRCTC par karen.
Seedhi Srinagar tak koi train nahi jaati, lekin Delhi se Jammu Tawi aur Katra ke liye kai trains hain, jaise Jammu Rajdhani, Uttar Sampark Kranti, Shri Shakti Express, Swaraj Express aur Vande Bharat. Wahan se aage Srinagar ke liye 26401 ya 26403 Vande Bharat lein. Jammu Tawi Kashmir ke sabse kareeb ka bada railhead hai.
There is no confirmed start date yet. A direct Delhi to Srinagar Vande Bharat, expected to be an overnight sleeper, has been reported and is anticipated once the remaining approvals and the Jammu Tawi station upgrade are complete, with late 2026 the date most often mentioned. Until Indian Railways publishes a train number and timetable, plan the two-leg journey with a change at Jammu Tawi or Katra
