Pahalgam, a serene town in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty. It is not directly connected by rail or air. The nearest airport and railway station are in Srinagar.
The nearest airport is Srinagar Airport (Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport), which is well connected to major cities across India. From the airport, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to Pahalgam, which is about 95 kilometers away, and usually takes around 2.5 to 3 hours.
The nearest major railway station is at Srinagar, which is still under construction (as of the knowledge cutoff in 2023). As an alternative, railway services up to Udhampur and Jammu are available. From there, one can take a taxi or a bus to Pahalgam. The distance from Jammu to Pahalgam is about 255 kilometers, and it typically takes around 7 to 8 hours by road.
Pahalgam is well-connected to Srinagar and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir by road. Public state transport buses, as well as private deluxe and luxury buses, operate between Pahalgam and various cities of the state. Hiring a taxi for a more comfortable and flexible journey is also a good option.
For most travelers coming from these cities, reaching Pahalgam by road will likely involve first getting to Srinagar, either by flight or train to Jammu followed by a taxi/bus trip to Srinagar, and then driving to Pahalgam.
From Srinagar, the recommended road route to Pahalgam is:
Stopover: Depending on the time of travel and interest, visitors might choose to stop in Srinagar to explore the city or at Anantnag for refreshments and short breaks during their journey to Pahalgam.