Lidder river flowing past boulders below a pine-covered hillside in Pahalgam

ViaKashmir · Kashmir Travel Guide

Cash, ATMs and UPI in Kashmir: What Works Where

UPI works almost everywhere in Srinagar. Up in the meadows, the network drops, the ATM queue is long, and the pony man wants cash. Plan for both.

Plan My Trip Browse Packages

Updated November 2026 · Written by the ViaKashmir Travel Team, Srinagar

Quick Answer

UPI and cards work at most shops, restaurants and hotels in Srinagar. In Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, UPI works where the mobile network does, which is not everywhere, and ATMs are few and can run out of cash on busy weekends. Ponies, local union taxis, sledges, small dhabas and tips are usually paid in cash. Draw cash in Srinagar before you go up to the resorts and keep a reserve for the day. If you book a package, hotels, meals in the plan and your private cab are already paid, so the cash you need is only for these extras.

All-inclusive Kashmir trips: hotels, meals and cab paid upfront

Pahalgam First 4N5D - 2N Pahalgam, Gulmarg & Srinagar4N/5D · 2N Pahalgam, 1N Gulmarg, 1N Srinagarfrom ₹17,000/person Kashmir Valley Stay 4N5D - Gulmarg, 2N Pahalgam & Srinagar4N/5D · 1N Gulmarg, 2N Pahalgam, 1N Srinagarfrom ₹17,000/person Winter Special Kashmir Package - 4N5D4N/5D · 1N Srinagar, 1N Gulmarg, 1N Srinagar, 1N Pahalgamfrom ₹17,399/person

Get your customised Kashmir trip plan

Money in Kashmir is rarely a problem in the city and often a small headache in the mountains. The pattern is predictable, so it is easy to plan around once you know where the gaps are.

Where UPI, cards and cash work

Where	UPI	Cards	Cash needed for
Srinagar (shops, restaurants, hotels)	Widely	Hotels and larger shops	Shikara tips, small stalls
Dal Lake shikara and houseboats	Often	Houseboat bills, sometimes	Floating-market shopping, tips
Gulmarg	When the network holds	Hotels	Ponies, sledges, guides, dhabas
Pahalgam	When the network holds	Hotels	Union taxis to Aru, Betaab, Chandanwari; ponies
Sonamarg	Unreliable	Few places	Ponies to Thajiwas, union taxis, sledges

Payment options for tourists in Kashmir, November 2026

Your phone must receive OTPs

Prepaid numbers from outside Jammu and Kashmir stop receiving SMS in Kashmir, so card and UPI OTPs will not arrive. Read does my SIM work in Kashmir before you fly.

ATMs: where to draw cash

Srinagar has plenty of ATMs (J&K Bank, SBI, HDFC, ICICI and others). Draw what you need here.
Gulmarg and Pahalgam have a few ATMs in town. On long weekends and in peak season they can run out or have queues.
Sonamarg, Doodhpathri and Yusmarg have very limited or no ATM access. Arrive with cash.

What still needs cash, and roughly how much

These are the extras most travellers pay on the spot. They are not part of any hotel booking or package, including ours, because they are run by local unions and individual operators who set and collect their own rates.

Local union taxis in Pahalgam (to Aru, Betaab Valley, Chandanwari) and Sonamarg. See how the union taxis work.
Pony rides in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, and sledge rides in Gulmarg snow.
Tea, snacks and meals at small dhabas outside your meal plan.
Tips for drivers, boatmen and guides.

Rates for ponies and union taxis are fixed by the local associations and displayed at official stands; always agree the price and route before you start. Carry small notes, as change is often short in the meadows.

Travelling premium? Less cash, fewer queues

On a luxury Kashmir package the hotels, meals, private chauffeur-driven car and most transfers are settled in advance, so day-to-day spending drops to the experiences you choose. Five-star hotels in Srinagar and the better resorts in Gulmarg and Pahalgam take cards for room service, spa and dining. We can also pre-arrange private shikara time and guided days so you are not negotiating on the spot.

Know your trip cost before you go

Get a fixed, itemised quote: hotels, meals, private cab and GST shown, with the on-the-spot extras listed separately.

Get My Free Itinerary Ask Kashmir Travel Expert See packages

Frequently Asked Questions

Does UPI work in Kashmir?

Yes, widely in Srinagar. In Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg it works where the mobile network holds, which is not everywhere, so carry some cash as a backup.

Are there ATMs in Gulmarg and Pahalgam?

Yes, a few in each town, but they can run out of cash or have queues on busy days. Draw cash in Srinagar before you go up.

Is there an ATM in Sonamarg?

ATM access in Sonamarg is very limited. Arrive with the cash you will need for ponies, union taxis and food.

What do I need cash for in Kashmir?

Mainly local union taxis in Pahalgam and Sonamarg, pony and sledge rides, small dhabas and tips. Hotels and larger restaurants take cards or UPI.

Are pony rides and union taxis included in Kashmir packages?

No. They are run by local unions and pony associations that set and collect their own rates, so they are paid on the spot in almost every Kashmir package, including Via Kashmir packages.

Can I pay by card for the Gulmarg Gondola?

Gondola tickets are sold by the official operator online and at the counter. Buy through the official channel only, and avoid touts selling tickets at the base.

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.