How to Reach Kashmir from Mumbai: Flight, Train and Road

Every year, Mumbaikars swap the coastline for the Kashmir Valley, and getting there is easier than it used to be. Mumbai has quick air links to Srinagar, and since mid-2025 you can travel almost the whole way by train, right into the valley on the new Udhampur to Srinagar line. Here is exactly how to reach Kashmir from Mumbai by air, train, road and bus, with real journey times and fares so you can pick what fits your budget and your schedule.

Distance From Mumbai to Kashmir

Mumbai sits about 1,674 km from Srinagar in a straight line. By road the drive is roughly 2,200 km via Delhi and NH-44, while the Mumbai to Katra rail route covers around 2,030 km. Jammu is a little closer at about 2,000 km by rail.

Rough travel time by mode:

• By flight: 2.5 to 3 hours (non-stop)

• By train into the valley: about 36 to 40 hours in total (Mumbai to Katra, then Katra to Srinagar)

• By road or bus: 30 to 40 hours of driving, or close to two days by sleeper bus

How to Reach Kashmir from Mumbai by Air

Flying is the quickest way to reach Kashmir from Mumbai. IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India and Akasa Air run flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) to Srinagar Airport (SXR). Daily non-stop flights cover the route in about 2.5 to 3 hours, while one-stop itineraries through Delhi take longer once you add the layover. One-way fares usually sit around Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 when you book three to four weeks ahead, and they climb steeply in the April to June and December peaks.

Why choose air travel?

• Fastest option by a wide margin

• Comfortable for families and senior citizens

• Ideal for short holidays and long weekends

How to Reach Kashmir from Mumbai by Train

There is no single direct train from Mumbai to Srinagar, but you no longer have to finish the trip by road. Since the Udhampur to Srinagar to Baramulla rail line (USBRL) opened in June 2025, trains now run right into the valley. Do it in two legs.

Leg 1, Mumbai to Katra.

The Swaraj Express (12471) leaves Bandra Terminus and reaches Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) in about 31 to 33 hours, running four days a week and stopping at Jammu Tawi on the way. The Bandra Terminus to Jammu Tawi Vivek Express is a good alternative. Sleeper fares run around Rs 800 to Rs 1,000, with 3AC near Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500.

Leg 2, Katra to Srinagar.

Board the Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat Express (26401), which climbs into the valley in about 3 hours through the USBRL tunnels and over the Chenab bridge, the highest rail bridge in the world. Chair Car fares are roughly Rs 665 to Rs 715. The service now extends up to Jammu Tawi, putting Jammu to Srinagar at under five hours by rail. Book this leg early, because seats on the six-days-a-week service fill fast in peak season.

How to Reach Kashmir from Mumbai by Road and Bus

Driving from Mumbai is a serious undertaking, best left to experienced road-trippers. The distance to Delhi alone is over 1,400 km. From Delhi you follow NH-44 through Jammu and Banihal to Srinagar, another 12 to 14 hours behind the wheel. Total driving time runs 30 to 40 hours, so most people break it over two or three days.

For the budget option without your own vehicle, you can piece the trip together on connecting sleeper buses, typically Mumbai to Delhi or Jaipur and then on to Jammu and Srinagar, which takes close to two days. Fares are roughly Rs 1,800 to Rs 4,500 across the legs. Once you add them up the bus usually costs more than the train, and it is tiring, while the mountain stretch beyond Jammu can be slow in bad weather.

Mumbai to Kashmir: Modes Compared

Best and Cheapest Way to Reach Kashmir From Mumbai

For most Mumbai travellers, flying is the sensible pick. You trade a few thousand rupees for a day and a half of travel each way, and you land in Srinagar with the whole holiday still ahead of you. Book three to four weeks out and take an early flight.

If money matters more than time, the train wins. The Mumbai to Katra to Srinagar combination is the cheapest comfortable route now that the Vande Bharat runs into the valley, and that final leg is one of the most scenic train rides in India.

Onward From Srinagar to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg

Srinagar is your gateway, not the finish line. Once you land or arrive by train, the famous valley towns are a short drive away by shared taxi or private cab:

For the onward legs, see our guides on how to reach Gulmarg and how to reach Pahalgam. If you would rather have the whole trip arranged for you, browse our Kashmir tour packages.

What We Tell Every Mumbai Traveller

TravelTriangle has planned Kashmir trips for Mumbai families for over a decade, and a few things come up every time: fly early in the day, keep the Vande Bharat leg pre-booked, and build a weather buffer into the Banihal stretch if you are driving.

“The Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat sells out days ahead in peak season. Book the moment the window opens, and keep a morning flight as your backup,” says the TravelTriangle Kashmir desk lead.

Final Travel Tips for Mumbai Travellers

• April to June is best for sightseeing and pleasant weather

• December to February is best for snowfall and winter activities

• Always check the weather before you travel, especially on the road route

• Carry a valid photo ID and confirmed hotel bookings

Now that you know how to reach Kashmir from Mumbai, you can plan a smooth, well-timed journey to the valley.

Edited by TravelTriangle