5 Things to do in Srinagar in a Day

Last updated on June 5th, 2026 at 06:21 am

Reading Time: 7 minutes

It took me a complete day and night to reach Srinagar from Delhi.

I covered half the journey by local bus, and the other half by shared cab. By the time I arrived I was tired after a long mountain road journey.

What followed was 24 hours in one of the most beautiful cities in India—Srinagar, Kashmir.

Overview

State	Jammu & Kashmir (Union Territory)
Altitude	1,585 metres
Distance from Delhi	815 km via NH44
Best time to visit	April to October
Known for	Dal Lake, houseboats, Mughal gardens, Kashmiri food
Stay experience	Houseboat on Dal Lake
Budget per day	Rs. 1,500–3,000 including houseboat

Is Srinagar Safe to Travel?

Yes, it’s totally safe to go to Srinagar.

The honest answer is that Srinagar is safe to travel throughout the year. The army presence you’ll notice on the roads is standard for the region and exists for the security of both locals and visitors.

I’ve been to Srinagar twice, once alone and once with a family. Never faced any difficulties in Kashmir.

It’s safe for every kind of travellers—for solo travellers, couples, and groups. Kashmiri hospitality is genuine and the locals are used to visitors from across the country and the world.

Getting to Srinagar

I did the Delhi to Srinagar journey by road covering approximately 815 km via NH44 through Jammu. I’ve written about that journey here.

The road journey from Jammu to Srinagar is 260 km and takes 7–8 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. The route through the Banihal Tunnel and the Jawahar Tunnel dramatically shortens what used to be a much longer mountain route.

Other options:

Srinagar has a domestic airport. Flights from Delhi take approximately 1.5 hours to reach. IndiGo and Air India operate daily routes. This is the fastest option if time is limited.

The New Way to Reach Srinagar — Vande Bharat Train

Getting to Srinagar by train just became significantly easier.

For years, reaching Srinagar by rail meant taking a train to Jammu Tawi and then switching to a road journey for the Kashmir Valley stretch. That’s changed.

Delhi to Jammu Tawi Vande Bharat

Take a Vande Bharat train no. 22439 from Delhi to Jammu Tawi. It takes approximately 6-7hrs to reach Jammu.

Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharat

Jammu Tawi to Srinagar Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 26401/26402) now operates the full stretch from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar directly. Train 26401 departs from Jammu Tawi at 6:15 AM, passes through Katra, Reasi, and Banihal, and reaches Srinagar at 11:10 AM covering 269 km in approximately 5 hrs.

When I did this trip, the Jammu to Srinagar stretch was entirely by road, the 7 to 8 hours through the mountains. The Vande Bharat cuts that to under 5 hours and goes through some of the most engineering-intensive railway infrastructure in India, including the world’s highest railway bridge over the Chenab River at Reasi.

If you’re planning this trip now, the train route is worth seriously considering over the road journey.

Network Connectivity in Srinagar

I made the mistake of carrying my Airtel prepaid SIM from Delhi and it didn’t work.

Here’s what actually applies in Jammu & Kashmir:

• Postpaid SIMs from any Indian carrier work in J&K. If you have a postpaid connection you’re fine.

• Prepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Jammu & Kashmir. This is a specific regulation for the region.

If you need a working prepaid SIM in Srinagar: Get a local J&K prepaid SIM on arrival. You’ll need a valid photo ID, driving licence, voter card, or passport.

Note: Aadhaar card alone is not accepted for J&K prepaid SIM registration.

Practical advice: If you’re on postpaid, you’re sorted. If prepaid, either switch temporarily before the trip or pick up a local SIM at Srinagar airport or a telecom shop on arrival.

Staying on a Houseboat

One of the most memorable aspects of any Srinagar trip is the houseboat.

Dal Lake has a community of houseboats, ranging from basic budget options to multi-room heritage boats. Staying on one gives you a version of Srinagar that no hotel can.

How to find a houseboat:

Two ways:

1. Call ahead — most houseboat owners and operators are on phone. Ask your guesthouse in Jammu or search for verified operators online before reaching Srinagar.
2. Book through online medium like booking.com and many more.

The Budget houseboats start from Rs. 800–1,500 per night per person. Mid-range houseboats with better facilities and meals included run Rs. 2,500–5,000 night.

What’s included varies significantly, always confirm whether meals, shikara rides, and taxes are included before booking.

Things to Do in Srinagar in a Day

1. Shikara Ride on Dal Lake

This is the one experience in Srinagar that belongs at the top of every list.

The ride takes you across one of the most photographed bodies of water in India. The Himalayas visible in the distance on a clear day, the houseboats lined along the banks, the floating vegetable vendors passing by.

Sunset is the best time to do the boating on Dal Lake.

The cost of boat ride is somewhere around Rs. 300–600 for a one-hour shikara ride. Though, you can negotiate.

2. The Floating Vegetable Market

The Dal Lake floating vegetable market operates in the early morning — vendors on shikaras selling fresh vegetables and flowers directly on the water. Locals buy from them the same way people in a city visit a street market.

It starts very early like 6-6:30 a.m, and finishes before 8 AM.

You can tell the Shikhara ride person that you are willing to see the vegetable market, and he will take you there.

I was a bit late to reach the vegetable market. Therefore all the people were leaving at that time.

This experience is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere.

3. Nishat Bagh

Nishat Bagh is a Mughal gardens in Srinagar. It’s one of the largest Mughal gardens in the subcontinent.

The entry fee to the Mughal garden is Rs. 40 for Indians.

Timings are from Sunrise to sunset. I went there somewhere in the evening. I feel visiting in the morning and evening is the best time for that place.

While you’re in the area, Shalimar Bagh is 5 km further along the same road, also a Mughal garden, slightly less visited than Nishat.

4. Hazratbal Shrine

Hazratbal Mosque is one of the most significant Muslim shrines in Kashmir.

The white marble mosque with its single minaret reflected in the lake is one of Srinagar’s most distinctive architectural images. It’s most peaceful on weekday mornings when the crowd is less.

You must dress modestly and cover your head before entering.

5. Shopping in Srinagar

Kashmiri handicrafts are some of the most recognised in India.

The main shopping areas are Lal Chowk — the commercial centre of Srinagar — and the lanes around the old city near Jama Masjid.

What to look for:

• Pashmina shawls — Srinagar is the origin. Be careful about what you’re buying — genuine pashmina is expensive. Cheaper versions are usually wool-pashmina blends.

• Kashmiri carpets — They are hand-knotted, time-intensive and genuinely beautiful. Shop from established stores rather than aggressive street vendors.

Where to Eat in Srinagar

Kashmiri food deserves its own section.

1. Wazwan is the traditional multi-course Kashmiri feast — rogan josh, yakhni, gushtaba, tabak maaz. Several restaurants in Srinagar serve it.
2. Noon chai (pink tea) — the salt tea unique to Kashmir. Served with kulcha or bread. An acquired taste for some, immediately loved by others. Try it from a local chai stall rather than a tourist restaurant.
3. Kashmiri bakeries — the kangri bread, lavasa, and sheermal baked in traditional wood-fired ovens. The bakery lanes near the old city open very early.

FAQ

Is Srinagar safe to travel? Yes. Srinagar is safe for tourists throughout the year. The army presence is for security and is part of the standard landscape.

How many days are enough for Srinagar? 2–3 days covers the main experiences. Add more days if you want to do day trips to Gulmarg, Sonamarg, or Pahalgam.

What network works in Srinagar? Postpaid SIMs from any Indian carrier work normally. Prepaid SIMs from other states do not work.

Final Thoughts

I arrived in Srinagar tired from a long road journey and left 24 hours later with the particular feeling that I had only just started to understand the place.

Srinagar is one of those cities that you would like to return to see it’s charm in different seasons.

If you get 24 hours, use them well. Wake up early for the floating market, spend the afternoon at Nishat Bagh, and be on the lake at sunset.

That’s the Srinagar worth travelling for.

From Srinagar I went to another beautiful place, Aru Valley Pahalgam.

I also made a small video from my Srinagar visit.