Travel advisory · IndiaKashmir is in or near an area where governments advise against all travel: Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory), Kashmir Valley, Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Jammu and Kashmir (Union Territory) · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, US
- Kashmir Valley · avoid all travel · Spain, France, Italy
- Manipur · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK, US
- Bihar · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Chhattisgarh · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy, New Zealand
- Jharkhand · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Odisha (Orissa) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Rural West Bengal · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Srinagar–Ladakh road · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
Also named by one government: Jammu region (Spain), Tripura (Ireland), Assam border areas with Bangladesh (New Zealand), Border areas of Jammu and Kashmir (Italy), Gulmarg (Italy), Imphal (Ireland), India-Myanmar border (France), Ladakh (Spain), Ladakh border with China (immediate vicinity) (France), Nagaland border areas with Myanmar (New Zealand), Pahalgam (Italy), Rural Andhra Pradesh (Spain), Sonamarg (Italy), Srinagar (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Jun 16, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No warning against the whole country; partial warnings for specific areas (regional advisories) | Oct 14, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Pays relativement sûr dans son ensemble, sous réserve de respecter certaines règles et de tenir compte du risque terroriste (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Kashmir
Travelers come for Dal Lake, its Mughal gardens and the alpine meadows of the surrounding hills, and for a valley ringed by the Himalayas.
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Kashmir is a region in the far north of India, in the Himalayas. Most visitors base themselves in Srinagar, the largest city in the Indian-administered valley and the summer capital of the Jammu and Kashmir union territory. Its best-known sights are Dal Lake, where houseboats and shikara boats line the shore, and the Mughal gardens built along the lake, including Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh. Shikaras are the usual way to cross the lake to the gardens.
Beyond the city, mountain towns draw most of the trips. Gulmarg is known for its meadows and gondola rides, Pahalgam for river valleys and walking, and Sonamarg for high-altitude scenery. Local specialties include saffron, Kashmiri shawls and wazwan, a multi-course meal. Spring through early autumn suits most trips, and winter brings snow for skiing. Srinagar has its own airport, so many trips start with a flight. Plan at least four to five days to cover the city and one or two mountain stops.
Kashmir in five
- Book a registered houseboat with the terms in writingHouseboats on Dal Lake are the main place to stay in Srinagar, and quality and facilities differ widely. Ask for the nightly rate, meals and shikara transfers in writing before you pay a deposit.Where to stay
- Carry cash for shikaras and small shopsATMs cluster in the city centre, and many shikara boatmen, small shops and guides take cash only. Carry enough notes for several days and keep some small denominations for fares.Money and costs
- Agree the shikara fare before you boardShikara fares on Dal Lake are set by negotiation, so the price is only fixed once you agree it. Settle the fare, the route and the time on the water before you step into the boat.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes at shrines and mosquesCover shoulders and knees, and bring a scarf so women can cover their heads at Hazratbal and other shrines. Shoes come off at the entrance, and you may be asked to leave them at a rack.
- Test your mobile data before you leave the airportMobile networks in Kashmir have been suspended in the past, so a data plan that works in other Indian cities may not be reliable here. Check coverage and set up an eSIM or local SIM before you travel.Phones and eSIM
Things to do in Kashmir
See all attractions in Kashmir
Need to know
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR)
- Entry
- e-Visa or visa needed by most foreign visitors; check eligibility by nationality Read more
- Emergency
- 112 for all emergencies; 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected in shops; small tips for guides and porters are common
- Time
- UTC+5:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryColdest, snow
- MarchCool, spring
- AprilTulips, mild
- MayMild, green
- JuneWarm, busy
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustWarm, busy
- SeptemberAutumn begins
- OctoberChinar gold
- NovemberCooling, quiet
- DecemberCold, snow
Right now in Kashmir
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 48%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Srinagar
04:07 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today17°4°0%Tuesday: Fog. High 17°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed19°5°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu17°4°24%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Fri18°4°24%Friday: Clear. High 18°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 24%.
- Sat18°4°0%Saturday: Clear. High 18°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun19°4°0%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 03:09 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Gulmargabout 1.5 to 2 hours by roadA meadow town in the hills, with a gondola and snow in winter.
- Sonamargabout 2 to 3 hours by roadAn alpine valley on the road toward Ladakh, with glaciers within reach.
- Pahalgamabout 3 hours by roadA valley town on the Lidder river, and a base for longer walks.
Before you go to Kashmir
Rules for Kashmir, checked
- Most foreign visitors need an Indian visa before arrival, and many can apply for an e-Visa. Apply only through the official portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in.Source
- Do not photograph military installations or security checkpoints. Ask before photographing people at shrines, markets and in private houseboats.
- Hotels and houseboats must record the passport and visa details of foreign guests. Carry your passport at check-in, as staff will ask for it.
- Drones need prior permission in India. Do not fly one in Srinagar without that permission.
Plan around Kashmir
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for an India trip
Read the guideSrinagarThe city base for lake stays and day trips
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights, buses, taxis and car hire to and from Srinagar
Read the guideWhere to stayHouseboats, hotels and guesthouses compared
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs an e-Visa and how to apply
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices on the ground
Read the guideKashmir FAQ
Is Srinagar worth visiting?
Yes, for Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens of Shalimar and Nishat on its shore, and the wooden houses of the old city. Expect fewer services and slower roads than in the larger Indian cities.
How many days do you need in Srinagar?
Three nights covers the lake, the gardens, a shrine visit and one day trip. Two nights is enough for the lake and gardens alone, and a third night makes sense if you add Gulmarg or Sonamarg.
Is Gulmarg a day trip from Srinagar?
It can be, but it is a long day. The road climbs into the hills and takes about two hours each way, longer in snow or traffic, so book a driver the day before.
Should I stay on a houseboat or in a hotel?
Choose a houseboat for a stay on the water, with shikara rides from the jetty. Choose a hotel in the centre if you want easy taxis, ATMs and late returns.
When is the best time to visit Srinagar?
April, May, September and October suit most visitors for mild days. Winter is cold with snow, which some visitors enjoy but which can close roads, and summer is busy.