Key hubs
Amarnath airport and railway station
- Airport
- Srinagar International Airport (SXR); about 2.5 to 3 hours by road to either Baltal or the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, depending on traffic and convoy rules
- Railway station
- Jammu Tawi (JAT) is the main railhead for pilgrims coming from the plains; the Shrine Board runs a base camp at Jammu and moves yatris to the valley in convoys
- Getting around
- Yatra-season road movement is regulated. On the routes themselves: walking, hired ponies, palkis, or a helicopter to Panjtarni, subject to the Board's rules and operators.
How to reach Amarnath by air
Srinagar International Airport (SXR) is the nearest, about 2.5 to 3 hours by road from either Baltal or the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, depending on traffic and convoy rules.
How to reach Amarnath by train
Jammu Tawi (JAT) is the main railhead for pilgrims from the plains, with a Shrine Board base camp at Jammu. The road from Jammu to the valley is long and regulated during the Yatra.
How to reach Amarnath by road
Baltal is reached from Srinagar via Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh road, about 90 km. Nunwan and Pahalgam are reached from Srinagar via Anantnag, about 90 to 95 km. Yatra traffic follows Board and police rules.
Getting around Amarnath
Once you are on the route, you walk, or hire a pony or a palki. A helicopter service to Panjtarni has run from both sides under the Board's arrangements. Cars cannot go beyond the base camps and Chandanwari.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Amarnath
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.