About Srinagar — A practical guide

The most popular months are April through October, when the valley is generally open and conditions for sightseeing inside Srinagar and on day trips are settled.

Spring (April–May) is when the Tulip Garden opens — usually for a few weeks before the blooms fade — and the city is at its most photogenic. Summer (June–August) is warm and busy, and the days are long. Autumn (September into early November) is dry, cool, and visually striking, with the chinar trees turning copper-gold. Winter (December–February) is cold and much quieter; flights and roads can be disrupted by snow, but Gulmarg becomes a working ski resort and the city itself takes on a hushed, snow-dusted look that has its own appeal.

Operating hours and entry fees for gardens, shrines, and Gulmarg's gondola change by season — please check on the day, or ask us to confirm before you set out.

By air. Srinagar Airport (IATA code SXR), formally Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, has daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with seasonal additions from other Indian metros. A pre-paid taxi or a hotel pickup is the simplest option for the short ride into Gogji Bagh.

By road. The main approach to the Kashmir Valley is NH44, which runs from Jammu through the Banihal Pass and the Jawahar / Chenani–Nashri tunnel network. Drive times from Jammu to Srinagar vary widely with weather, traffic, and tunnel conditions; allow a full day. Self-driving in winter is not advisable unless you already know the road.

By rail. Through-trains from elsewhere in India terminate at Jammu Tawi, and travellers continue from there to Srinagar by road. The Kashmir Railway also runs valley services that include the Srinagar–Banihal section, useful for getting between points inside the valley. A direct, all-weather rail link between Jammu and Srinagar through the Pir Panjal range has been a long-running infrastructure project — please check Indian Railways for current status before relying on it.

Gogji Bagh sits south of the Bund and the city centre, which puts most of central Srinagar within a short drive:

• Dal Lake and the Boulevard. The lake is the city's signature; the Boulevard runs along its southern shore and is the easiest place to take in shikara rides and houseboat views.
• Lal Chowk. Srinagar's commercial centre, with shops, the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower), and busy markets nearby.
• Pari Mahal. Terraced Mughal-era ruins above Chashme Shahi, with long views across the city and lake.
• Tulip Garden (seasonal). Open only during the short tulip bloom each spring — check the J&K Tourism website for current dates before going.
• Mughal Gardens. Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh sit on the eastern side of Dal Lake; Chashme Shahi is closer to the city. Most visitors do them as a half-day loop.
• Hari Parbat. Hilltop fort and shrines, with a panoramic view of the city.
• Hazratbal Shrine. White-marble shrine on the north-western shore of Dal Lake.

Three classic excursions sit within reach of Srinagar — each works as a full day, and Pahalgam often pulls travellers into an overnight.

Gulmarg is a high-altitude meadow and ski-town west of the city. In summer it is green and walkable, with the gondola climbing to Apharwat Peak in two stages. In winter it becomes one of India's main ski destinations. Allow a full day; a stop at Tangmarg on the way up is common.

Pahalgam, in the Lidder Valley to the south-east, is known for its riverside walks, pony rides up to Aru and Betaab Valleys, and as the road-head for the Amarnath Yatra in summer. It is doable as a full day from Srinagar, but many travellers prefer to stay overnight.

Sonamarg sits north-east of Srinagar on the road towards the Zoji-La pass — the most "alpine" of the three, with meadows, the Thajiwas glacier walk, and big mountain backdrops. The road beyond Sonamarg towards Ladakh closes seasonally; the in-and-out day trip remains workable through most of the warm season.

What you bring depends on when you come.

In spring and autumn, light layers plus a warm jacket for evenings and early mornings are usually enough. Sturdy walking shoes are useful for the gardens and Pari Mahal; a light scarf is handy for shrines.

In summer, pack as you would for warm-but-not-hot weather elsewhere — light cottons during the day, a light jacket for evenings, sun protection (the elevation makes the sun strong even when the air feels cool), and a refillable water bottle.

In winter, treat Srinagar as a cold-weather destination: a heavy down or insulated jacket, thermal base-layers, a wool cap, gloves, and waterproof shoes or snow boots. Even if you don't plan to go to Gulmarg, the city itself can drop well below freezing in December and January.

Year-round. Comfortable walking shoes; ID (Aadhaar/passport); a power bank; modest clothing for shrines and gardens; and any prescription medication, since pharmacies stock the basics but not always specifics.