Delhi To Vaishno Devi Bus: If you do not get a train ticket, do not worry, bus service directly from Delhi to Katra and Srinagar; Know fares, timings and routes

Due to Shardiya Navratri, Dussehra and the upcoming festive season, it has become almost impossible for devotees and tourists planning to visit Maa Vaishno Devi and visit the beautiful valleys of Kashmir, getting seats in trains. The waiting list in all the major trains like Uttar Sampark Kranti, Shri Shakti Express, Vande Bharat Express and Jammu Mail going from New Delhi and Old Delhi to Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra has crossed 200 since weeks. In such a situation, if you too have not been able to get a confirmed train ticket, then there is no need to be disappointed. A very convenient, affordable and reliable road option from Delhi to Jammu-Katra and further to Srinagar is open 24 hours. Dozens of government and private sector Volvo (Volvo 9600), multi-axle AC sleeper and non-AC buses are providing their services daily from the Interstate Bus Terminal located at Kashmere Gate, Delhi.

Delhi’s major interstate bus terminal is the main hub for long distance buses plying to the hill and religious places of North India. From here, contracted buses of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), Punjab Roadways (Punbus) and Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) leave for Katra and Jammu at regular intervals.

The distance from Delhi to Katra by road is approximately 650 kilometers, which is covered by modern Volvo and Bharat-Benz buses in approximately 11 to 13 hours. Various categories of buses are available as per the budget of the passengers:

• Ordinary/Non-AC Buses: For budget travelers, ordinary buses of state transport corporations are the most economical. Their one-way fare ranges between ₹750 to ₹950 per passenger.

• 2+2 Semi-Sleeper AC Buses: The fare for these buses with comfortable push-back seats is set between ₹1,100 to ₹1,400.

• Luxury Volvo/Scania AC Sleeper: For night travel, the fare for multi-axle sleeper buses of private and government operators ranges from ₹1,600 to ₹2,200 per berth. It can reach up to ₹2,500 when demand is high during festival weekends.

Most of the buses from Delhi to Katra leave in the evening and night so that passengers can reach Katra early in the morning, fresh and start climbing the Bhavan directly:

• Afternoon and evening buses: The first major AC service leaves ISBT Kashmiri Gate at 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm, reaching Katra between 4:00 am and 5:30 am the next morning.

• Peak Night Service: Superfast Volvo buses to Katra are available from Kashmere Gate, Majnu Ka Tila, Karol Bagh and Dhaula Kuan every 20 to 30 minutes from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm.

• Routes and Stoppages: This journey starts from Delhi via Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Pathankot and Jammu and ends directly at Katra Bus Stand. On the way, dinner break is given at clean dhabas near Murthal or Karnal.

If your plan is to go to Kashmir Valley i.e. Srinagar after Vaishno Devi Darshan, then direct connecting buses and shared taxis are easily available from both Katra and Jammu to Srinagar. National Highway-44 passing through Udhampur, Ramban, Banihal and New Qazigund Tunnel has now become quite accessible:

• Jammu/Katra to Srinagar AC Deluxe Bus: Fares for JKSRTC’s deluxe and 2+2 pushback buses range from ₹800 to ₹1,100 per seat.

• Time period: Buses cover the hilly distance of about 240 kilometers from Katra to Srinagar in 6 to 8 hours. Most buses depart from Katra for Kashmir Valley between 6:00 am and 8:30 am.

• Shared Winger and Innova Taxi: If you want to save time, shared taxi options are also available from Katra Bus Stand to Srinagar at ₹1,200 to ₹1,600 per ride all the time.

To avoid long queues and dealing with touts, passengers can book tickets online from their smartphones while sitting at home:

1. Official Government Portals: Seats for government buses can be selected directly by visiting the websites of JKSRTC (jksrtc.co.in), HRTC (hrtchp.com) and Punjab Roadways.

2. Trusted Aggregator Apps: Through RedBus, AbhiBus, MakeMyTrip and Paytm, you can book bus tickets from various private travel operators (like Zingbus, New Bharat, Intercity etc.) by viewing live ratings, photos, pick-up points and passenger reviews.

3. Offline Tatkal Ticket: Even if online tickets are showing full, you can directly go to Kashmiri Gate ISBT counter number 20-25 and get Tatkal tickets two hours before departure.

After reaching Katra, before starting the journey, it is mandatory to make online or offline RFID Yatra Access Card of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), without which permission is not given to go beyond Banganga check post. This card can be obtained free of cost by showing Aadhaar card from the registration centers near Katra Railway Station and Bus Stand. Also, keeping warm clothes, comfortable trekking shoes and a light raincoat in view of the changing weather will make the journey pleasant and safe.