How to Reach Kashmir by Train 2026: Complete Guide

For decades, reaching Kashmir meant flying into Srinagar or driving in from Jammu. That’s no longer the full picture. Srinagar now has its own working railway station, connected to the rest of India by a direct train line. If you’re planning a Kashmir trip and still assuming the valley has no rail access, here’s what’s actually changed.

Kashmir Finally Has a Direct Rail Link

The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is now complete. This project connects the Kashmir Valley to the Indian railway network for the first time in history. Srinagar Railway Station, located in the Nowgam area of the city, is fully operational and handling regular passenger trains.

This isn’t a small local service. It’s a 272-kilometre engineering achievement that took over two decades to complete, cutting through mountains and crossing what’s now the world’s tallest railway bridge.

The Vande Bharat Express: Jammu Tawi to Srinagar

The headline service on this route is the Vande Bharat Express, running between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar.

This single train ride covers what used to be a long, often tiring road journey. It also passes through some of the most dramatic engineering on India’s rail network along the way.

The Chenab Bridge: The Journey’s Biggest Highlight

Partway through the route, the train crosses the Chenab Bridge — the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing 359 metres above the river below. This isn’t just a functional crossing. It’s become a genuine attraction in its own right, and many travellers now choose the train specifically to experience this stretch of the journey.

How to Actually Plan Your Train Journey to Kashmir

There is currently no single train that runs from Delhi, Mumbai, or other major cities all the way to Srinagar. Every journey happens in two legs: your city to Jammu Tawi first, then Jammu Tawi to Srinagar on the Vande Bharat Express. Here’s what that looks like city by city.

Leg 1: Your City to Jammu Tawi

Exact durations and train numbers change with schedule updates. Always confirm current timings, availability, and fares on IRCTC before booking, or check live running status on the National Train Enquiry System (NTES).

Leg 2: Jammu Tawi to Srinagar

Once you reach Jammu Tawi, you switch to the Vande Bharat Express covering the final 269 km to Srinagar in about 4 hours 45 minutes, crossing the Chenab Bridge along the way.

Putting It Together

1. Book your first train to Jammu Tawi from your home city — this is usually the longest leg
2. Connect to the Vande Bharat Express from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar (book this separately; it’s a different ticket)
3. Arrive at Srinagar Railway Station in Nowgam, from where local taxis connect you to your hotel or houseboat

Practical reality check: for travellers coming from Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, or other distant cities, the total train journey (both legs combined) can take two days or more. For these cities, flying to Srinagar or Jammu directly is usually faster and more practical — the train route makes the most sense for travellers from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and nearby northern states where the first leg is short.

If you’re also visiting Vaishno Devi, the route works well regardless of your starting city — the Vande Bharat stops at Katra, the base town for the shrine, letting you combine both trips without backtracking.

Train vs Flight vs Road: Which Should You Choose?

The train doesn’t beat flying on raw speed once you count the full journey from a distant city. But it’s now a genuinely competitive option for travellers coming from Delhi or nearby states, especially those who want the Chenab Bridge experience as part of the trip rather than just a way to get there.

Local Trains Within the Kashmir Valley

Beyond the long-distance Vande Bharat service, regular DEMU trains now run within the valley itself, connecting Srinagar with Banihal, Baramulla, and other towns along the line. These are primarily used by local commuters, but they’re a genuinely interesting option if you want to experience a short scenic train ride during your stay the Srinagar to Banihal stretch, for instance, takes under two hours and passes through several picturesque stops.

Booking Tips for the Kashmir Train Route

• Book Vande Bharat tickets well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons this route has become popular quickly
• Choose AC Executive Chair Car for a bit more space and comfort on the roughly 5-hour journey
• Sit on the side facing the valley when crossing the Chenab Bridge for the best views ask staff or check your seat map in advance
• If your itinerary includes Vaishno Devi, plan a stop at Katra on the way through rather than treating it as a separate trip

Planning a Kashmir trip and want the best route worked out for you — train, flight, or a mix of both? 

Cliffhangers India can help you plan the most convenient route to Kashmir based on your city and dates, including onward taxi transfers from Srinagar Railway Station. WhatsApp us at +91 88993 66900 or call for a custom route plan.

Related Kashmir Guides

• How to Reach Srinagar — full guide covering air, road and rail options
• Kashmir Taxi Service — book onward transfers from the railway station
• Kashmir Tour Packages — full itineraries starting from Srinagar
• Kashmir Trip Plan — complete trip planning guide