Everything about the Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat: the two daily departures, fares by class, how to book on IRCTC, the security check at Katra, the Chenab Bridge on the way, train vs road, and how to get from Srinagar station to your hotel.
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Quick Answer: The Vande Bharat train links Katra (Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station) and Srinagar in about 3 hours over about 189 km, compared with 8 to 10 hours by road. Current timetables list two departures from Katra, around 8:10 am and 2:55 pm, with return trains from Srinagar. Chair car fares are about ₹720 and executive chair about ₹1,300. Book on IRCTC, reach Katra station 45 minutes early for the security check, and pre-book a cab from Srinagar station, which is at Nowgam on the south side of the city.
Until June 2025, every Vaishno Devi pilgrim heading on to Kashmir faced a long day on the highway through Udhampur, Ramban and Banihal. The Vande Bharat changed that. It runs on the new Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link, crosses the Chenab Bridge, and puts you in Srinagar by lunchtime if you leave Katra in the morning. This guide covers what you need to plan around it.
Timetables and fares change, and reports in 2026 said the service was being extended to start from Jammu Tawi. Always check the current schedule on IRCTC before you book. For the full Vaishno Devi and Kashmir plan, see our Kashmir tour package with Vaishno Devi.
Katra to Srinagar train at a glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Train | Vande Bharat Express, chair car (CC) and executive chair car (EC) |
| Stations | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) to Srinagar (SINA) |
| Distance and time | About 189 km, about 3 hours |
| Departures from Katra | Two a day in current timetables, around 8:10 am and 2:55 pm |
| Fares | About ₹720 chair car, about ₹1,300 executive chair (vary by date) |
| Booking | IRCTC website or app, and other authorised apps |
| Running days | Six days a week on most schedules; check the day you want |
Timings
Current timetables list two trains from Katra to Srinagar: the morning train (26401), leaving Katra around 8:10 am and reaching Srinagar around 11:10 am, and the afternoon train (26403), leaving around 2:55 pm and reaching around 6:05 pm. Two trains run the other way from Srinagar to Katra. Timings have been adjusted since launch and one service was reported to begin from Jammu Tawi from 2026, so treat these as a guide and confirm on IRCTC.
Which train should you take? The morning train is the better choice: you reach Srinagar before lunch with the afternoon free for a shikara ride. Take the afternoon train only if your darshan runs late, and book your Srinagar hotel for a late check-in.
Fares and classes
| Class | What you get | Approx. fare |
|---|---|---|
| Chair car (CC) | Reclining seats, 2 + 3 layout, large windows | About ₹720 |
| Executive chair car (EC) | Wider seats, 2 + 2 layout, more legroom | About ₹1,300 |
Fares include catering only if you select it at booking, and change with the date and demand. In peak months (April to June, and holidays) seats sell out days ahead, so book as soon as your darshan date is fixed.
How to book
- Fix your Vaishno Devi darshan date first, then book the train for the morning after.
- Search Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK) to Srinagar (SINA) on the IRCTC website or app.
- Choose chair car or executive chair, add passenger ID details, and pay.
- Keep the e-ticket and the ID you booked with; both are checked at the station.
- Book your Srinagar station pickup at the same time, so a driver is waiting when you arrive.
At Katra station: security and luggage
- ✓Arrive about 45 minutes early. All luggage is screened, much like at an airport, before you reach the platform.
- ✓Travel light. Overhead racks are limited; one large bag and one small bag each is the comfortable limit.
- ✓Keep your ID handy. It is checked with your ticket.
- ✓Station distance. Katra station is a short drive from the town and the yatra area, so allow time for traffic on a busy morning.
The journey: what you will see
This is one of the most dramatic rail journeys in India. The line runs through long tunnels and over deep gorges between the Jammu plains and the Kashmir Valley. Look out for:
- ✓The Chenab Bridge, near Reasi, the world's highest railway arch bridge, about 359 m above the river.
- ✓The Anji Khad bridge, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge.
- ✓Banihal, where the train stops briefly before the long tunnel under the Pir Panjal into the valley.
- ✓The Kashmir Valley, opening up after the tunnel: rice fields, poplars and, in spring, mustard and almond blossom.
Much of the route is in tunnels, so the views come in bursts. Window seats on either side get good stretches.
Train or road from Katra to Srinagar?
| Vande Bharat | Road (private taxi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | About 3 hours | 8 to 10 hours with stops |
| Cost | About ₹720 to ₹1,300 per person | Sedan from ₹7,000 one way for the car |
| Luggage | Limited rack space | Plenty in the boot |
| Door to door | Need a cab at both ends | Hotel to hotel |
| Best for | Couples, small groups, people short on time | Families with lots of luggage, groups of 4 or more, stops on the way |
For a family of four with luggage, a taxi can cost about the same as four executive tickets plus two cab transfers, and takes you hotel to hotel. See Katra to Srinagar taxi for road fares, route and timing.
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Arriving at Srinagar station
Srinagar railway station is at Nowgam, on the southern side of the city, not near Dal Lake. Plan a cab onward to your hotel or houseboat; the drive to the Boulevard area typically takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. You can also go straight on to Pahalgam (about 2.5 hours) or Gulmarg (about 1.5 hours from the city). Our cab service can meet the train.
A simple Katra to Kashmir plan using the train
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Katra, collect your yatra card, rest |
| 2 | Vaishno Devi darshan by trek or helicopter; return to Katra |
| 3 | Morning Vande Bharat to Srinagar; afternoon shikara on Dal Lake |
| 4 onward | Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar sightseeing |
Ready-made trips that start from Katra are on our Kashmir tour packages from Katra page, and the full 7-night plan with darshan is our Kashmir tour package with Vaishno Devi. For the yatra itself, see our Vaishno Devi yatra guide.
Tell us your darshan and train dates. We will meet you at Srinagar station and plan the Kashmir days, priced line by line.
Plan Katra to Kashmir →Frequently asked questions
How long does the Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat take?
About 3 hours for about 189 km, compared with 8 to 10 hours by road.
What is the Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat fare?
About ₹720 in chair car and about ₹1,300 in executive chair car. Fares vary with the date and demand; check IRCTC.
What time does the Vande Bharat leave Katra?
Current timetables list departures around 8:10 am and 2:55 pm. Timings have changed since launch, so confirm on IRCTC for your date.
Does the Vande Bharat run every day?
Most schedules show six days a week. Check the running days for your date when you book.
Where is Srinagar railway station?
At Nowgam, on the southern side of Srinagar. Pre-book a cab to your hotel; the drive to the Dal Lake area usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Does the train run in winter?
Yes. The trains on this line are built for cold weather, and the railway can keep running when the highway is closed by snow, though services can still be affected by severe weather.
Is the train better than a taxi from Katra?
For couples and small groups, usually yes: it is much faster. Families with heavy luggage, or groups of four or more, may prefer a taxi for hotel-to-hotel travel.
Can I go from Katra to Kashmir and back by train?
Yes. Return trains run from Srinagar to Katra, which suits trips that end with a flight or train from Jammu.
Planning more than this? Get a full itemised Kashmir quote