Jammu to Srinagar by road

Jammu to Srinagar distance is 300 KM and it will take 7 to 8 hours by private taxi. Shared taxi are available ( Rs 700/- per head ) or you can take full taxi at a cost of around Rs 4500/-. The price changes depending on total package to visit other places.

Reaching Jammu

Jammu is well connected by all types of transport ( Rail, road and Air ) from all corners of India. After arrival at airport you can take a taxi from the prepaid taxi stand. You can't ask outside taxi operators to pickup you from Jammu airport due to restriction by local Taxi operators union. However you can take a Auto or taxi upto nearest city center ( 9 KM ) and then board your taxi for any destination.

Jammu to Patnitop

After travelling 30 KM from Jammu on NH 1A one left side road will take you to Katra. From Katra the trekking to Sri Vaishno Devi starts. Continue in NH 1A and you will be passing through Udhampur which is a district headquarter. At a distance of 100 KM for Jammy, Patnitop is a beautiful forest area with many tourist hotels. You can stay here for one night.

Upto Patnitop the road is under construction on several areas as expansion of road is going on. After travelling 45 KM from Patnitop you will cross a hydro electric project on River Chenab at Ramban.

Further 40 KM from Ramban you will reach Banihal

Banihal is in news recently because of opening of Qazigund to Banihal rail link through 11 KM long tunnel in Pir Panjal hill. With this Kashmir valley is connected to Jammu region by rail link. At present the rail link is available from Baramulla to Banihal ( Baramulla – Srinagar – Qazigund – Banihal). In next three year time with completion of Jammu – Katra – Udhampur – Banihal rail link complete rail connecting Baramulla – Srinagar with rest of the country will be available.

Jawahar Tunnel

This tunnel named after first Prime Minster of India, Jawahar tunnel is at a distance of 20 KM from Banihal. From Patnitop to Jawahar tunnel is at a distance of 104 KM.

This tunnel is the entrance to Kashmir Valley by road. There are two tunnels one in each direction of vehicle movement. Total length of Jawahar tunnel is 2.5 KM. It will take 5 Minutes to cross the tunnel by vehicle. Inside the tunnel emergency phones are placed. Light arrangements are done and there are narrow parking place available to keep one vehicle in case of breakdowns. Both ends of the tunnels are heavily guarded by security personals and photography is prohibited.

After crossing the tunnel you will see a big display board welcoming you to Kashmir valley. After 2 KM from the tunnel there is a view point known as Titanic view point. Tourist enjoy first glimpse of Kashmir valley from here.
Valley view point after Jawahar Tunnel

Before QaziGund there is a toll plaza where Rs 70/- is collected.

After 9 KM from view point is first major town of Kashmir valley is a small town of Quzigund. All facilities are available in this town. From Srinagar train service was available upto this point. With opening of Banihal – Qazigund rail tunnel now train connection is available beyond Quazigund upto Banihal

In north side train line is further extended beyond Srinagar upto Kpuwara

After Qazigund next big town is Anantnag is at a distance of 20 KM. From here right side road goes to Pahalgam ( 40 KM ) and straight road goes to Srinagar ( 60 KM )

On Straight road you will reach Bijbehara a small town in Anantnag district.

Cricket Bat manufacturing centers ( Kashmiri Willow bats)

After travelling 5 KM from Bijbehara on both side of the road you will see several shops selling cricket bats near Sangam and most of them will have the manufacturing centre attached to the shop. These area is famous for Kashmiri willow bats. You can see the local carpenters preparing bats. Power saw is used to create the main shape of the bat and subsequently finishing touches given by applying paints and sharpening the edges. In front of the shops big banners of famous cricketers are displayed with pictures of India wining world cup.

Kashar market of Pampore

Pampore is located after 20 KM from Sangam and before Srinagar. This area is famous for Kashmir Keshar. There are several shops selling Keshar, walnuts, rice, almonds etc. here. Some of the local growers sell Keshar, saffron to tourist by hiring boat in Dal Lake. While on Sikara you will be approached by other boats selling Keshar.

Enterance of Srinagar

Four KM before entering to Srinagar you will see several stone carving work at Pantha Chowk. At your right side on top of a hill you will see Shankaracharya temple of Srinagar.

Srinagar

Gulmarg

Shikara at Dal Lake

This article is written by go2india.in team.