If the Kashmir travel advice you've read feels a few years out of date or overly cautious, this page exists to give you the current picture rather than a repeat of older, more guarded guidance. Short version: tourism has grown substantially and consistently, infrastructure has expanded, and the cautious tone of older advice reflects a period that has moved on.
Quick take
Jammu and Kashmir recorded 2.36 crore (23.6 million) tourist visits in 2024, the highest in the region's modern tourism history. Srinagar's airport is undergoing a ₹1,677 crore expansion approved in early 2026. No foreign government (UK, US, UAE) advisory currently prohibits leisure travel to the standard tourist zones.
What's actually improved
- Tourist numbers: 2.36 crore visits in 2024, a record high and a multi-year upward trend, not a one-off spike.
- Airport infrastructure: Srinagar International Airport's ₹1,677 crore expansion, approved February 2026, reflects long-term confidence in sustained tourist volume.
- Security presence in tourist zones: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg all have established, visible security infrastructure oriented around tourist safety, not disruption.
- Hotel and houseboat capacity: significant growth in verified accommodation options across all major tourist towns over the past several years, a direct response to demand.
Why older advice sounds more cautious
A lot of Kashmir travel advice still circulating online was written during periods of lower tourist confidence and hasn't been updated since. That's a real problem with the broader travel-content ecosystem, not a reflection of the current situation - which is exactly why we date and refresh this page rather than leaving it static. If you're reading advice from more than a year or two ago, treat the specific caution level with a grain of salt and check for a current publish date.
What we'd still tell you to be aware of
Being current doesn't mean being uncritical. Districts bordering the Line of Control, particularly parts of Kupwara and Poonch, remain outside standard tourist itineraries and outside any package we run. Weather-related road closures (especially to Sonamarg and the Amarnath Yatra route) are a real, routine planning factor, not a security issue. And as with anywhere, a locally based operator who can reach you in real time if plans need to change is worth having.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current situation in Kashmir for tourists in 2026?
Tourism is at a record high (2.36 crore visits in 2024), infrastructure investment is expanding (a ₹1,677 crore Srinagar airport expansion approved in 2026), and all major tourist zones operate normally with established security presence. No foreign government currently advises against leisure travel to these zones.
Is Kashmir travel advice still as cautious as it used to be?
Most current, up-to-date sources are not - the caution in a lot of still-circulating content reflects when it was written, not the present situation. Check the publish or update date on any Kashmir safety advice you read.
Are there still areas tourists should avoid in Kashmir?
Yes - districts bordering the Line of Control, particularly parts of Kupwara and Poonch, are not on standard tourist itineraries. All major tourist zones (Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Yusmarg, Doodhpathri) are safe and accessible.
See what a current Kashmir trip actually looks like
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Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 2026
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.