Gulmarg is a hill station in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India, about 51 km west of Srinagar. The drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg takes 1.5 to 2 hours via Tangmarg. Once there, the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world, lifts you from the meadow to Kongdoori (Phase 1) and on to Apharwat Peak (Phase 2). This guide from the Stay Pattern team in Srinagar covers everything in one place: where Gulmarg is in Kashmir, the Srinagar Gulmarg distance and routes, how the Gulmarg Gondola ride works, Gondola ticket prices, online Gondola ride booking, and a simple day plan.
Gulmarg at a glance
Where is Gulmarg?
Baramulla district, Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Srinagar to Gulmarg distance?
About 51 km by road (50–55 km depending on start point)
Travel time?
1.5–2 hours by taxi; 2.5–3 hours by bus
Route?
Srinagar → Narbal → Magam → Tangmarg → Gulmarg
Gulmarg altitude?
About 2,650 m (8,700 ft)
Gondola Phase 1
Gulmarg → Kongdoori (about 3,080 m), around ₹800
Gondola Phase 2
Kongdoori → Apharwat (about 3,980 m), around ₹1,000
Official Gondola booking
etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com
Gondola timings?
Roughly 10 AM – 5 PM, weather permitting
Where is Gulmarg in Kashmir?
Gulmarg sits in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, in the Baramulla district of the Kashmir Valley. It is part of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. The name means "meadow of flowers", and in summer the bowl shaped valley lives up to it. People often search "Gulmarg Jammu" or "Gulmarg city", so two quick clarifications help: • Gulmarg is in Kashmir, not Jammu. Jammu is the winter capital and a separate region about 290 km south by road. Gulmarg is reached from Srinagar, the summer capital. • Gulmarg is a small resort town, not a city. It has hotels, a golf course, a ski area and the Gondola, but no large market. Most travellers stay in Srinagar and visit Gulmarg as a day trip, or stay a night or two for snow and skiing. Nearest points: Srinagar city (about 51 km), Srinagar airport (about 58–60 km), Tangmarg town (13 km, the last stop for fuel and supplies). There is no railway station in Gulmarg; the only way in is by road.
Srinagar to Gulmarg distance, route and travel time
The distance from Srinagar to Gulmarg is about 51 km by road, and the drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours in normal traffic. The route follows the Srinagar–Baramulla highway west, turns towards Tangmarg at Magam, and climbs the last 13 km of hairpin bends into Gulmarg. Route: Srinagar → Narbal → Magam → Kunzer → Tangmarg → Gulmarg 1 Srinagar to Narbal (about 15 km): city traffic eases and the road opens up. 2 Narbal to Tangmarg (about 20 km): flat, easy driving past paddy fields and apple and cherry orchards, in full bloom in April–May. 3 Tangmarg to Gulmarg (13 km): a steep, winding climb through pine and fir forest. Fuel up in Tangmarg; there is no petrol pump beyond it.
Ways to travel from Srinagar to Gulmarg
Private taxi / cab:
1.5–2 hours; Families, day trips, flexibility to stop.
Self drive:
1.5–2 hours in Summer only, winter needs chains and experience
Shared taxi
2–2.5 hours Budget travellers; leaves Srinagar when full
Bus to Tangmarg + local taxi
2.5–3 hours Lowest cost; no direct bus to Gulmarg
Winter note (Dec–Mar): heavy snow can slow or briefly block the Tangmarg–Gulmarg road. Private cars may need snow chains, and union taxis from Tangmarg are often the practical choice. Check road status the evening before.
Gulmarg to Srinagar: the return trip is the same 51 km. Leave Gulmarg by 4 PM to avoid the evening rush on the Tangmarg descent, and add 30–45 minutes on weekends and in May–July.
Tip: leave Srinagar by 7–8 AM. You beat the traffic, reach the Gondola early, and get the clearest mountain views before afternoon cloud builds.
The Gulmarg Gondola ride: what to expect
The Gulmarg Gondola is a two-stage cable car that climbs from Gulmarg to the shoulder of Apharwat Peak. It is often listed as the second-highest cable car in the world. It is run by the Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) and was built with the French firm Pomagalski, opening in stages from 1998. Each cabin seats six. When people search "cable car in Gulmarg", "Kashmir gondola" or "gondola ride in Kashmir", this is the ride they mean.
Phase 1: Gulmarg to Kongdoori
Phase 1 takes you from the Gulmarg base station (about 2,650 m) to Kongdoori (about 3,080 m) in roughly 10 minutes. Below you see the meadow, the golf course and dense pine forest. Kongdoori is a wide, bowl-shaped valley with snow for much of the year, sledging, pony rides and small cafés. It is the easier, family-friendly half of the gondola ride at Gulmarg.
Phase 2: Kongdoori to Apharwat
Phase 2 continues from Kon gdoori to the Apharwat station at about 3,980 m. The trees disappear and you ride over rock and glacier. On clear days you can see across the Pir Panjal range, and in winter this is where skiers start Gulmarg's famous off-piste runs. The air is thin at the top, so move slowly.
Kongdoori chairlift:
A separate chairlift runs from Kongdoori towards Mary's Shoulder. It needs its own ticket; neither Gondola phase covers it.
Phase 1:
Route: Gulmarg → Kongdoori
Top altitude: about 3,080 m
Scenery: Meadows, pine forest, snow bowl
Best for: Families, elderly, first timers
Note: Runs more reliably in bad weather
Phase 2:
Route: Kongdoori → Apharwat
Top altitude: about 3,980 m
Scenery: Glaciers, bare rock, high peaks
Best for: Snow lovers, photographers, skiers
Notes: Often shut in high wind or storms
Gulmarg Gondola tickets and online booking
Gulmarg Gondola tickets cost about ₹800 for Phase 1 and ₹1,000 for Phase 2 per person, around ₹1,800 for both. With booking fees, many travellers report paying ₹810 and ₹1,010. Children aged 3 and above pay the full fare. Prices are set by JKCCC and change periodically, so confirm on the official portal before you go.
How to do your Gondola ride booking online
1 Go to the official JKCCC portal: etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com.
2 Log in with your mobile number and verify with OTP.
3 Pick your date, time slot and phase (Phase 1, or both).
4 Enter each passenger's name and ID details exactly as on their ID card.
5 Pay online and download the e-ticket with its QR code and transaction ID.
Phase 2 needs Phase 1
Kongdoori is the only boarding point for Phase 2, so you must hold a Phase 1 ticket. Keep your Phase 1 transaction ID ready at checkout.
Tatkal tickets
If regular slots are sold out, JKCCC releases a limited Tatkal quota online at 5 PM each day for the next day's rides, at a slightly higher fare. These sell out within minutes in peak season.
Avoid touts
JKCCC advises tourists to book only on its official site and not through touts. Carry the ID you booked with, as it is checked at boarding. If JKCCC cancels rides for weather or maintenance, tickets are refunded. Getting to the base station
Taxis stop about 1 km before the Gondola base. Walk, take a pony, or hire an ATV for the last stretch.
Gondola timings and best time to visit Gulmarg
The Gulmarg Gondola usually runs from about 10 AM to 5 PM, but weather decides the day. Phase 2 is the first to close in wind, fog or snowstorms, and the whole system can pause for maintenance. In 2026, for example, both phases were shut for a month after a technical fault on 25 May and reopened on 25 June.
Tips for a smooth Gondola ride
Take the earliest slot you can. Mornings are clearer and queues shorter.
Dress in layers. Apharwat can be 10–15°C colder than Gulmarg, even in summer.
Wear sunglasses and sunscreen; snow glare is strong at altitude.
Anyone with heart, asthma or breathing problems should check with a doctor before Phase 2.
Phase 1 tickets are time bound, so don't linger too long at Kongdoori if you have a Phase 2 slot.
A simple Srinagar to Gulmarg day trip with the Gondola
A day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg fits both Gondola phases comfortably if you start early.
Time & Plan
7:30 AM Leave Srinagar by taxi, with Gondola e-tickets saved on your phone
9:30 AM Reach Gulmarg; walk or take a pony to the Gondola base station
10:00 AM Phase 1 to Kongdoori; 30–45 minutes in the snow bowl
11:00 AM Phase 2 to Apharwat; 45–60 minutes at the top
1:00 PM Ride back down; lunch in Gulmarg
2:30 PM Gulmarg Golf Course, St. Mary's Church or the Baba Reshi shrine
4:00 PM Drive from Gulmarg to Srinagar
6:00 PM Back in Srinagar for a shikara ride on Dal Lake
Where to stay: Make Srinagar your base
Most visitors pair Gulmarg with Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Dal Lake, and Srinagar is the easiest base for all of them. Staying in Srinagar means shorter drives to every day trip, more food and shopping options, and better value than Gulmarg in peak season. Stay with Stay Pattern. Our Srinagar hotels, including Saffron by Stay Pattern, are a comfortable base for your Gulmarg trip. Our team can help arrange your Srinagar to Gulmarg taxi and point you to the right Gondola slot for your dates. Book your Srinagar stay on staypattern.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the distance from Srinagar to Gulmarg?
The Srinagar to Gulmarg distance is about 51 km by road. The drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours via Narbal, Magam and Tangmarg.
How far is Gulmarg from Srinagar airport?
Gulmarg is about 58–60 km from Srinagar airport, roughly a 2 hour drive. Where is Gulmarg in Kashmir?
Gulmarg is in the Baramulla district of the Kashmir Valley, in the Pir Panjal range, about 51 km west of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Is Gulmarg in Jammu or Kashmir?
Gulmarg is in the Kashmir region of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is reached from Srinagar, not from Jammu city.
What is the Gulmarg Gondola ticket price in 2026?
About ₹800 for Phase 1 and ₹1,000 for Phase 2 per person, around ₹1,800 for both phases. Children aged 3 and above pay full fare.
How do I book Gulmarg Gondola tickets?
Book online on the official JKCCC portal, etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com. Log in with your mobile number, choose your date, slot and phase, pay, and download the e-ticket.
Can I book Phase 2 without Phase 1?
No. Phase 2 starts at Kongdoori, which you reach on Phase 1, so you need a Phase 1 ticket and its transaction ID.
What are the Gulmarg Gondola timings?
The Gondola usually runs from about 10 AM to 5 PM. Operations depend on weather, and Phase 2 closes first in high wind or snow.
Which Gondola phase is better?
Phase 1 suits families and first timers and runs more reliably. Phase 2 offers glacier views and snow at nearly 4,000 m; do both on a clear day. Is Gulmarg a good day trip from Srinagar?
Yes. Leave Srinagar by 7:30 AM and you can ride both Gondola phases, have lunch, and be back in Srinagar by early evening.
What is the best time for the Gondola ride in Gulmarg?
December to March for skiing and deep snow; April to June for snow up top with green meadows below; July to October for fewer
