Quick Answer
To plan a Kashmir trip, decide the season first: April to June for green meadows and tulips, July and August for peak summer and treks, September to November for clear skies and autumn colour, and December to February for snow. Five to seven days covers Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg. Fly to Srinagar (SXR) or take the train to Srinagar via Katra. Switch your phone to postpaid, since prepaid SIMs from outside Jammu and Kashmir do not work, carry some cash for ponies and local taxis, and book hotels and a private cab in advance for peak months.
A day-by-day Kashmir plan, priced line by line
This guide brings together every planning guide on Via Kashmir. Each link goes to a full article. If you would rather have the plan made for you, tell us your dates and we send a day-by-day itinerary with hotels, a private cab and a line-by-line price.
Start here: when, how and how much
- Best time to visit Kashmir, and month by month.
- How to reach Kashmir: flights, train and road.
- Katra to Srinagar Vande Bharat train: timings, fare and booking.
- Kashmir trip cost: budget for one person, a couple and a family.
- Kashmir on a budget: travelling well for about Rs 3,000 a day.
- 7-day Kashmir itinerary and 4-day itinerary.
- How Kashmir tour packages work: what is included and what is paid on the spot.
Practical essentials
- SIM cards and mobile network: why prepaid numbers stop working.
- Cash, ATMs and UPI: what works where, and how much cash to carry.
- Local taxi union rules: Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg.
- Winter flights and road closures.
- Driving in Kashmir in snow: chains, 4x4s and when to stop.
- Distances from Srinagar to every tourist place.
Safety
- Is Kashmir safe to visit? The situation on the ground, explained.
- Is Kashmir safe in 2026-27? An honest answer from a local.
- Kashmir travel advisory update.
- Solo female travel safety in Kashmir.
Where to stay
- Where to stay in Srinagar, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
- Houseboat or hotel? What to book for your trip.
- Booking a Dal Lake houseboat without getting scammed.
- Government tourist bungalows and rest houses.
- Hotels in Kashmir and Dal Lake houseboats.
Guides for your kind of trip
- International travellers: visa, flights, SIM and money.
- Kashmir with kids, and family tours.
- Kashmir with elderly parents.
- Honeymoon in Kashmir and honeymoon places.
- Solo travel in Kashmir and for solo women.
- Group trips and corporate groups.
- Kashmir trips from your city, state or country.
Go deeper: food, crafts, culture and treks
- Kashmiri food: wazwan, breads, tea and what to eat.
- Handicrafts and shopping: what to buy and how to buy it well.
- Culture and heritage: shrines, gardens, music and the Old City.
- Treks in Kashmir: Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar, Kolahoi and more.
Places to visit
The four places almost every first trip includes, with full guides:
| Place | Distance from Srinagar | Known for | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | Base | Dal Lake, houseboats, Mughal gardens, Old City | Srinagar guide |
| Gulmarg | About 50 km | Gondola, snow and skiing, meadows | Gulmarg guide |
| Pahalgam | About 95 km | Lidder river, Aru and Betaab valleys | Pahalgam guide |
| Sonamarg | About 80 km | Thajiwas glacier, Sindh river, Zoji La | Sonamarg guide |
Main tourist places in Kashmir
Beyond these: every district and town guide, all Kashmir destinations, things to do in Kashmir and offbeat Kashmir.
Rather have the plan made for you?
Tell us your dates, group and budget. We send a day-by-day Kashmir itinerary with hotels, a private cab and a line-by-line price.
Further reading from Kashmir Pulse
- Hokh Syun: Kashmir's Sun-Dried Winter Vegetables Explained
Hokh Syun, the sun-dried vegetables Kashmiri families put away every autumn for the long winter: what gets dried, how it is done, why the...
- Shallabugh Wetland: Kashmir's Winter Bird Refuge Near Srinagar
Shallabugh Wetland in Ganderbal has been a Ramsar site since 2022 and is a winter home for lakhs of migratory ducks and geese. When to go,...
- Bhand Pather: Kashmir's 2,000-Year-Old Folk Theatre Tradition
Bhand Pather is Kashmir's ancient satirical folk theatre - a tradition of masked performers who have mocked the powerful and celebrated the...
- Sufiana Kalam: Kashmir's Ancient Sufi Classical Music Tradition
A guide to Sufiana Kalam - the classical music tradition of Kashmir, derived from Persian Sufi traditions, performed on the santoor and...
- Badamwari Garden, Srinagar: Kashmir's Almond Garden Below Hari Parbat
Badamwari is Srinagar's almond garden on the foothills of Hari Parbat, revived and opened in 2008: when the almond trees blossom, how to...
- Which SIM Works in Kashmir? Prepaid, Postpaid and Tourist SIMs Explained
Which SIM works in Kashmir: why prepaid SIMs from outside Jammu and Kashmir do not work, why postpaid does, how tourists and foreigners can...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are enough for a Kashmir trip?
Five to seven days covers Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg at a comfortable pace. Four days works for Srinagar and Gulmarg only.
What is the best month to visit Kashmir?
April to June for greenery and tulips, September and October for clear skies and autumn colour, and December to February for snow. July and August are peak season.
Does my phone work in Kashmir?
Postpaid connections from any Indian operator work. Prepaid connections issued outside Jammu and Kashmir do not, so switch to postpaid before you travel.
How do I reach Kashmir?
Fly to Srinagar (SXR), with nonstop flights from Delhi, Mumbai and several other cities, or take a train to Katra or Jammu and the Vande Bharat train on to Srinagar.
Is Kashmir safe for tourists?
Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are open and busy with travellers every season. Our safety guide explains the current situation and the sensible precautions.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked November 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.