Key takeaways
- Plan for about ₹47,850 per person on a budget, ₹74,250 mid-range and ₹1.28 lakh premium.
- Flights are the biggest cost from Mumbai: one-way fares to Srinagar range from about ₹7,300 to ₹25,000 by season.
- Local cabs are the second-biggest cost; a Srinagar–Gulmarg union sedan is about ₹3,000 for the day.
- Book the Gulmarg Gondola online ahead of a winter trip; snow-season slots sell out.
On this page
Kashmir trip cost from Mumbai: the full table
All three budgets follow the same plan: 3 nights in Srinagar (one on a houseboat), a day trip to Gulmarg, and 2 nights in Pahalgam. The land costs match our Kashmir trip cost from Delhi; only the flights change.
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return flights Mumbai–Srinagar (2 people) | ₹36,000 | ₹48,000 | ₹70,000 |
| Stay (5 nights, incl. 1 houseboat) | ₹15,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹65,000 |
| Local transport (cabs) | ₹24,000 | ₹35,000 | ₹55,000 |
| Food | ₹6,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹24,000 |
| Entries and activities (Gondola, shikara, ponies) | ₹6,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹18,000 |
| Subtotal | ₹87,000 | ₹1,35,000 | ₹2,32,000 |
| 10% buffer | ₹8,700 | ₹13,500 | ₹23,200 |
| Total for two | ₹95,700 | ₹1,48,500 | ₹2,55,200 |
| Per person | ₹47,850 | ₹74,250 | ₹1,27,600 |
The flight lines assume ₹9,000 per person each way on a budget, ₹12,000 mid-range and ₹17,500 premium. That is realistic if you book 6–8 weeks ahead outside the Diwali, Christmas and summer-holiday peaks; at peak, add ₹20,000–30,000 for two.
What each line includes
Stay
Budget means a deluxe-category houseboat with breakfast and dinner (about ₹5,000 a night for two) and simple hotels in Srinagar and Pahalgam at about ₹2,500 a night. Mid-range is a better houseboat and 3-star hotels with heating. Premium is a top-category houseboat and 4–5 star hotels or riverside resorts in Pahalgam, at ₹13,000 or more a night.
In winter, ask whether the room has central heating or only an electric blanket and a heater, and whether there is hot water all day. Power cuts happen in Kashmir in winter, so hotels with backup are worth the extra money.
Local transport
Kashmir taxis work on union rates, and each valley has its own union. A Srinagar–Gulmarg sedan is about ₹3,000 for the day and an SUV about ₹4,500; shared cabs cost ₹500–900 a seat. In Pahalgam, local points such as Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari are served only by the Pahalgam union's cabs, so you pay again there, roughly ₹3,000–4,000 a vehicle for the circuit; rates are posted at the stand. Our budget line assumes airport transfers, the Gulmarg day, the Srinagar–Pahalgam drive and the Pahalgam circuit.
Entries and activities
The Gulmarg Gondola (₹800 Phase 1, ₹1,000 Phase 2 per person), a 1-hour shikara ride, Mughal garden entries, and ponies in Gulmarg or Pahalgam. Pony rates are fixed by the local authority but often negotiated; agree the route and price before you start.
Flights from Mumbai to Srinagar
Non-stop Mumbai–Srinagar flights take about 2h 45m–3h 20m depending on the aircraft. IndiGo and Air India run non-stop services, with around one flight a day each, though frequencies change by season. One-way economy fares we saw ranged from about ₹7,300 to ₹25,000. Many cheaper itineraries connect through Delhi, which adds 2–4 hours.
December and January bring fog delays in Delhi and occasional snow delays in Srinagar. If you connect through Delhi, keep at least 3 hours between flights, and do not plan the Gulmarg day on your arrival day. Srinagar airport has extra security checks, so reach it 2–3 hours before departure on the way home.
Rail is not practical from Mumbai. Srinagar is now connected to the Indian rail network through Katra, but the journey from Mumbai to Katra alone takes more than a day, before the Vande Bharat leg to Srinagar.
Recommended 6-day route from Mumbai
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly Mumbai–Srinagar; shikara ride at sunset | Houseboat |
| Day 2 | Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi; old city and Jamia Masjid | Srinagar |
| Day 3 | Day trip to Gulmarg (about 50 km, 1h 30m–2h); Gondola | Srinagar |
| Day 4 | Drive to Pahalgam (about 95 km, 2h 30m–3h) via saffron fields at Pampore | Pahalgam |
| Day 5 | Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Chandanwari by union cab | Pahalgam |
| Day 6 | Drive to Srinagar airport; fly to Mumbai | — |
Add a day for Sonamarg if you have 7 days. Since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, Sonamarg is reachable in winter too, but the Zojila pass beyond it stays closed.
Best time to visit Kashmir from Mumbai
| Months | What you get | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| March–April | Spring; the Tulip Garden usually opens in mid to late March and runs into mid-April | High in tulip weeks |
| May–June | Green meadows; Sonamarg, Pahalgam and Gulmarg at their best; Mumbai school holidays | Highest |
| July–August | Green, warm; Amarnath Yatra traffic around Pahalgam | Medium |
| September–November | Autumn colours, chinar leaves turn red | Lower; good value |
| December–February | Snow; Chillai Kalan, the coldest spell, runs from 21 December to late January | High at Christmas–New Year |
Mumbai travellers often choose winter to see snow for the first time; read Kashmir in winter for what is open and what to pack. The Diwali week, the May–June school holidays and Christmas–New Year are the most expensive weeks for Mumbai–Srinagar flights.
What to pack from Mumbai
Mumbai travellers often underpack for Kashmir. In winter you need thermal innerwear, a proper down or padded jacket, gloves, a woollen cap and waterproof shoes with grip; you can rent snow boots and long coats in Gulmarg for a few hundred rupees. In spring and autumn, evenings drop to single digits, so carry a warm jacket even in April and October.
How to cut the Kashmir trip cost from Mumbai
- Book non-stop flights early. The gap between low and peak fares can be more than ₹30,000 for two.
- Share cabs for the Gulmarg day. Shared seats at ₹500–900 cost far less than a private SUV.
- Stay one night on the houseboat, not three. Hotels in Srinagar are cheaper, and one night is enough for the experience.
- Book the Gondola on the official portal. Agents add commission.
- Pay the official shikara rate. The fixed rate is about ₹700–800 per boat per hour; touts at the ghats often quote much more.
- Travel in September–November. Autumn has lower hotel rates and clear skies, outside the snow and tulip peaks.
Our recommendation
For most couples and families from Mumbai, 6 days is the right length: Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam without rushing. Book non-stop flights early, because they make the biggest difference to the total. If you are torn between Kashmir and the Himachal hills, read our Kashmir vs Himachal guide.
Sources we checked
Checked on 20 October 2026. Official sources win if anything here differs.
- https://www.gulmarggondola.com/
- https://www.jktourism.jk.gov.in/
- https://www.airindia.com/en-in/book-flights/mumbai-to-srinagar-flights
- https://www.flightsfrom.com/BOM-SXR
- https://greaterkashmir.com/srinagar/rates-notified-for-shikara-rides-in-dal-nigeen-lakes
Prices checked October 2026. We re-check every 90 days. Spotted something out of date? Write to taazeem@choose4choice.com.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Kashmir trip from Mumbai cost for two?
For 6 days, about ₹95,700 on a budget, ₹1,48,500 mid-range and ₹2,55,200 premium, including flights and a 10% buffer.
How long is the flight from Mumbai to Srinagar?
About 2h 45m–3h 20m non-stop. Connecting flights via Delhi take longer.
Is ₹1 lakh enough for a Kashmir trip from Mumbai for two?
Yes on a budget, if you book flights early: our budget plan is about ₹95,700 for two.
When can you see snow in Kashmir?
Usually December to February, with Gulmarg the most reliable. Check road and Gondola status before you go.
How much is the Gulmarg Gondola?
₹800 for Phase 1 and ₹1,000 for Phase 2 per person, booked on the official JKCCC portal.
How much is a shikara ride on Dal Lake?
The fixed rate is about ₹700–800 per boat per hour, for up to four people. Agree the price and duration before you board.
