Gulmarg is situated in the Baramullah district of Jammu and Kashmir and is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Kashmir. Every year the ice clad valley attracts travelers from all over the world who like to participate in winter sport activities in winter and enjoy sightseeing in summer.

So if you are thinking of how to reach Gulmarg then here is a guide which will help you in reaching Gulmarg with ease.

By Air

There is no airport in Gulmarg, the nearest airport lies in Srinagar which is 56 km away. Srinagar airport (Sheikh-ul-Alam airport) is well connected to major cities like Mumbai and Delhi by regular flights .

This is the best way to reach Gulmarg as once you reach Srinagar you can hire a prepaid cab or a shared taxi and head straight to Gulmarg. The entire travel by air and road will take you a few hours and in no time you will be enjoying the scenic beauty of Gulmarg.

For detailed information on staying options at Gulmarg please click HERE

By helicopter from Srinagar airport to Gulmarg:

An exciting option for travelers having considerable amount of funds and would like to experience the best. A helicopter service to Gulmarg and Pahalgam from Srinagar airport has been recently started (November 2015) by the department of tourism of Jammu and Kashmir.

To avail the helicopter service travelers will have to book their tickets well in advance so that on the day of their arrival the tourism officials know which chopper can be used from the existing fleet according to the number of bookings.

So once travelers reach Srinagar airport they will directly be transferred to the waiting helicopter and within 15 minutes they will reach Gulmarg. The money is worth the time, furthermore the breathtaking views travelers will experience during the helicopter ride will forever remain in their memories.

For booking and guided tours at Gulmarg please click HERE

By Road

An exquisite network of roads connects Gulmarg. J&K SRTC runs several buses within the state and from the neighboring states. So you can reach Gulmarg through buses from places like Srinagar, Pahalgam, Jammu, Anantnag and many more places.

A road trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg gives tourist a wonderful experience of the true beauty of the region. On the way to Gulmarg travelers will witness a number of hamlets, farmlands, apple orchards, locals going about their daily chores, and mountain peaks covered in snow.

The road journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg :

NH 1A connects Gulmarg with Srinagar, travelers will enjoy Gulmarg by road from Srinagar and it takes about 2 hours of drive to Gulmarg by car through the winding paths and hairpin curves that are fun and breathtaking at the same time. It is better to make prior arrangements to make your travel easier.

From Srinagar one can also board private, public buses, shared taxis that are available at Batmaloo bus station in Srinagar. During winter months buses and taxis operate up to Tanmarg and the remaining distance (11km) is being covered by smaller vehicles like Sumo, Scorpio or Qualis (with chained wheels) for the icy stretch to Gulmarg.

In case you are visiting Gulmarg in your own vehicle then it is recommended that you update your car with specially equipped tyres to drive up to this region. For a 4 wheel drive car it is pretty easy to go up the hill although most of the track to Gulmarg is plain but the last half hour track is uphill.

For detailed information on staying options at Gulmarg please click HERE

About Tanmarg

Tanmarg is a small town or tehsil in Baramulla district, a happening place with a small post office, hotels and restaurants; it is about 40 km from Srinagar and on the way to Gulmarg.

A brief stop here will help travelers to rent gum-boots, fur-coats and other essential items before they head for Gulmarg. Tanmarg is an important stopover, since there are no shops or stores on the way right up to Gulmarg.

By Rail

Rail is another effective way of reaching Gulmarg. Currently there are no direct trains to Gulmarg and if you are coming by train then Jammu Railway Station is the nearest and is well connected to all major cities of India.

Travelers can get down at Jammu Railway Station and catch a bus (state or private) or a taxi to reach Gulmarg, the distance between Jammu and Gulmarg is 350 km by road.

This is by far the best option if you have time in hand and are on a tight budget, travelers can then reach Jammu by train and then continue their journey towards Gulmarg by road.

Travelers can also commence their journey further on a shared taxi and if they want to reach their destination more comfortably then they can hire a personal cab.

Tips for Budget traveler and Bag packers:

If you planning for some adventure and want to save on money then there is a cost effective way of reaching Gulmarg from Srinagar. After reaching Srinagar move towards Batmaloo bus stand from there take a shared taxi to Tanmarg from Tanmarg take a shared Taxi to Gulmarg.

The whole journey may take you maximum 3 hours including waiting period and the total cost will be ¼ of the cost of a direct cab from Srinagar to Gulmarg. Take this option if you have plenty of time and are looking to save on some traveling expenses.

The same route can be used to come back from Gulmarg to Srinagar airport by using a shared taxi. i.e. Gulmarg –> Tanmarg –> Batmaloo Bus Stand –> Rickshaw or JKSTC bus to Srinagar airport. Again the total cost will be ¼ of the cost of a direct cab from Gulmarg to Srinagar. In case of directions local Kashmiri’s and Indian army soldiers are very friendly, polite, respectful and helpful and I am sure you will not lose your way.

For booking and guided tours at Gulmarg please click HERE

Getting around Gulmarg

This is a very important section and every traveler visiting Gulmarg must know that there are about 2000 ponies or horses in Gulmarg and the owners and the pony rider’s livelihood is directly dependent on tourist hiring them. Hence there are a few rules one has to follow when they reach Gulmarg.

Once you enter Gulmarg you will not be able to take your hired vehicle further than the parking zone or the entrance of Gulmarg. Only those vehicles are allowed to enter Gulmarg whose passengers are going to stay overnight at one of the hotels at Gulmarg.

For traveling within Gulmarg one has to hire a pony, a sledge or walk, though the distances that are not much but travelers who can’t walk for long distances can hire ponies after negotiating with the owners.

It is easy to move around Gulmarg as it is a very small alpine town and a popular resort in both summers and winters. This town is mainly catering to tourism and there are no people living here except people catering to the tourism industry.

So if you are planning a vacation with your family or friends, which is worth the time and money then Gulmarg must be on top of your wish list. Please click here to know more about staying options in Gulmarg.

Gulmarg is situated 55 km from Srinagar at an altitude of 8694 feet and is a year round destination and travelers can plan their visit depending upon their area of interest.

What is fascinating about Gulmarg is that it can be experienced in all seasons, equipped with modern facilities and the warm hospitality of the locals attracts visitors from all over the world in all seasons.

So here is a month wise breakup of the weather conditions of Gulmarg so travelers can plan their visit better.

October – February

As October sets in the air in Gulmarg becomes cooler and the temperature begins to drop starting with the month of November which marks the onset of winter.

Winters in Gulmarg has a different charm and it offers its visitors a snow draped beauty to enjoy. During this time honeymoon couples and adventure sport lovers (Skiers and Snowboarders) begin to throng Gulmarg.

The maximum temperature is 2 degree Celsius and minimum temperature can dip as low as – 14 degree Celsius during peak winter season and during this time Gulmarg begins experiences heavy snowfall.

In the last week of December during Christmas Gulmarg is host to the renowned 2 day Snow Festival which is a major festival celebrated with great fanfare and enthusiasm by visiting tourist from all over the world.

There are a number of snow sport activities that take place during the 2 day festival(snow cycling, night ice skating, snowman making competition, sledge race, snow scooter races, skiing, ice hockey and snow rugby) and tourists can enjoy a large variety of Kashmiri delicacies during the festive season.

For detailed information on adventure activities in Gulmarg click HERE

The months from January to mid March, Gulmarg experiences consistent snowfall hence adventure sport activities like skiing, heli-skiing, snowboarding and other winter sport activities are in full swing. Gulmarg during this time is full of foreigners and becomes a hot spot for winter sport activities.

Winters is the best time to engage in adrenaline pumping skiing as travelers can take off from high altitudes of 14,000 feet or simply indulge in exciting activities like creating snowmen, having fun filled snow fights or making snow angels.

During this time travelers must come packed with heavy woolens as the temperature can drop drastically.

For information on staying options at Gulmarg in winter please click HERE

March – June

March is the beginning of summer and with it begins the peak tourist season which lasts up to September.During this time the snow begins to melt and disappear from the plains and very little snow remains on the higher altitudes while the entire surroundings of the valley turns into its natural colors.

During this time Gulmarg begins to turn into a meadow of flowers as it is popularly known and the weather becomes pleasant and does not exceed more than 29 degree Celsius making it an ideal time for sightseeing and adventure activities like trekking, hiking and camping.

Visitors from all over India visit Gulmarg during this season as it is a refreshing change and an escape from the summer heat wave which takes over major parts of India.

For detailed information on places to see in Gulmarg click HERE

So, if you plan to visit Gulmarg during summer then feel free to pack cotton clothes, a pair of sun glasses, trekking shoes and umbrella so you can protect yourself from the unpredictable weather that changes often.

For information on staying options at Gulmarg in summer please click HERE 

July – September

Though the month of July is one of the warmest months it brings in a bit of rainfall though not heavy. Monsoons have its own charm and walking through the meadows of Gulmarg and listening to the raindrops is a memorable experience of its kind.

Gulmarg does not have a proper monsoon season because of its location but whatever rainfall does occur does not create any disturbance and it is the best time for visitors to spend in the lap of nature and also enjoy a few adventure sport activities.

The entire setting of Gulmarg during this time is beautiful with mild breezy winds, the aroma of mud, black clouds passing by, the greenery of trees and the fine rain droplets showering from the sky makes you fall in love with the beautiful season of monsoon.

As this period is an off-season tourist visiting during this time will get heavy discounts and attractive offers from all hotels in Gulmarg. Finally, do not forget to carry your rain gear and take a walk through the meadows, glistening with raindrops and wild flowers still in full bloom.

For information on staying options at Gulmarg  during Off-season please click HERE 

For booking and guided tours at Gulmarg please click HERE