About Katra & Vaishno Devi
Katra, at the foot of the Trikuta hills, is the base of the yatra to the holy cave of Mata Vaishno Devi (13 km trek). Pilgrims walk, ride a pony or take the helicopter to Sanjichhat, with the Bhairon temple above the Bhawan.
Katra & Vaishno Devi – Quick Facts
| Altitude | Katra 875 m; Bhawan 1,585 m |
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| Railway | Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station |
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| Airport | Jammu – 50 km |
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| Best time | All year; Navratri is the busiest |
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| Ideal stay | 1 – 2 nights |
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Places to Visit in Katra & Vaishno Devi
- Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan
Holy cave of the goddess – Yatra Parchi (RFID) is free. - Ardhkuwari
Cave at the half-way point. - Bhairon Temple
Above the Bhawan – ropeway available. - Banganga
Start of the trek with a holy stream. - Shiv Khori
80 km – cave temple of Lord Shiva. - Patnitop
85 km – hill station on the highway.
Best Time to Visit Katra & Vaishno Devi
- March – June: pleasant
- Navratri (Mar – Apr, Sep – Oct): very crowded – book early
- December – January: cold, occasional snow at the Bhawan
How to Reach Katra & Vaishno Devi
- By train: Direct trains to Katra from Delhi (Vande Bharat).
- By air: Jammu airport, 50 km.
- By road: Jammu – Katra 45 km.
Katra & Vaishno Devi Distance Chart
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|
| Jammu | 45 km | 1.5 hrs |
| Bhawan (trek) | 13 km | 5 – 6 hrs |
| Patnitop | 85 km | 2.5 hrs |
| Srinagar | 270 km | 7 hrs |
| Amritsar | 255 km | 6 hrs |
Approximate road distances and times – mountain roads can take longer in snow or rain.
Katra & Vaishno Devi Travel Tips
- Helicopter tickets open about 60 days ahead on the Shrine Board site.
- Carry your ID for the Yatra Parchi.
Entrance & Permit Fees in Katra & Vaishno Devi 2026
Permits
- Yatra Parchi (RFID card): compulsory and free – online or at the Katra counters with your photo ID.
🎟️ Entrance fees (per person, paid at the gate or online)
| Place | 🇮🇳 Indian | 🌍 Foreigner |
|---|
| Vaishno Devi DarshanYatra Parchi free · helicopter ₹2,185 one way · Bhairon ropeway ₹100 · battery car approx. ₹380 | Free | Free |
| Katra – Sanjichhat helicopterone way, Shrine Board fare | approx. ₹2,185 | approx. ₹2,185 |
| Bhairon ropewayreturn | approx. ₹100 | approx. ₹100 |
| Battery car Ardhkuwari – Bhawanone way | approx. 380 | approx. 380 |
Fees as published for 2026 and can be revised by the authorities; "approx." rates are local / private and may differ. Children are usually free or half rate. Camera fees extra at some places.
Katra & Vaishno Devi Tour Packages 2026
Packages by Travel Himalayas that stay in Katra & Vaishno Devi – hotels and a private cab, with the complete price for your date on each page.
⭐ 4N / 5D🛣️ approx. 936 km
🚗 Pickup: Chandigarh (airport / railway station / hotel)
🌇 Drop: Chandigarh (airport / railway station / hotel)
🏨 Night stay: Chintpurni × 1 · Dharamshala × 1 · Katra × 2
- Day 1 Chandigarh Pickup → Mansa Devi → Naina Devi → Chintpurni
- Day 2 Chintpurni → Jwala Ji → Kangra Devi → Chamunda → Dharamshala
- Day 3 Dharamshala → Pathankot → Jammu → Katra
- Day 4 Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan (13 km trek / pony / helicopter)
- Day 5 Katra → Jammu → Pathankot → Chandigarh Drop
⭐ 6N / 7D🛣️ approx. 1511 km
🚗 Pickup: Delhi (airport / railway station / hotel)
🌇 Drop: Delhi (airport / railway station / hotel)
🏨 Night stay: Chandigarh × 1 · Chintpurni × 1 · Dharamshala × 1 · Katra × 2 · Amritsar × 1
- Day 1 Delhi Pickup → Karnal → Ambala → Chandigarh · Mansa Devi
- Day 2 Chandigarh → Naina Devi → Chintpurni
- Day 3 Chintpurni → Jwala Ji → Kangra Devi → Chamunda → Dharamshala
- Day 4 Dharamshala → Pathankot → Jammu → Katra
- Day 5 Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan (13 km trek / pony / helicopter)
- Day 6 Katra → Pathankot → Amritsar · Golden Temple
- Day 7 Amritsar → Ludhiana → Delhi Drop
⭐ 7N / 8D🛣️ approx. 935 km
🚗 Pickup: Jammu (railway station / airport / hotel)
🌇 Drop: Jammu (railway station / airport / hotel)
🏨 Night stay: Katra × 2 · Srinagar × 2 · Gulmarg × 1 · Pahalgam × 2
- Day 1 Jammu Pickup → Katra (Base of Vaishno Devi)
- Day 2 Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan – Yatra from Katra
- Day 3 Katra → Nashri Tunnel → Banihal → Srinagar
- Day 4 Sonamarg Day Trip – Thajiwas Glacier
- Day 5 Srinagar → Tangmarg → Gulmarg (Gondola Ride)
- Day 6 Gulmarg → Saffron Fields → Awantipora → Pahalgam
- Day 7 Pahalgam – Betaab Valley, Chandanwari & Aru Valley
- Day 8 Pahalgam → Banihal → Nashri Tunnel → Jammu Drop
Taxi Service in Katra & Vaishno Devi
Book a private cab with Travel Himalayas – fixed rates, experienced hill drivers, toll and parking included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Vaishno Devi helicopter?
About ₹2,185 one way Katra – Sanjichhat (2026 Shrine Board fare).
What is the best time to visit Katra & Vaishno Devi?
March – June: pleasant. Navratri (Mar – Apr, Sep – Oct): very crowded – book early. December – January: cold, occasional snow at the Bhawan.
How to reach Katra & Vaishno Devi?
By train – Direct trains to Katra from Delhi (Vande Bharat). By air – Jammu airport, 50 km. By road – Jammu – Katra 45 km.
How much does a Katra & Vaishno Devi tour cost?
Our Katra & Vaishno Devi packages start from about ₹14,500 per person (2 sharing) with hotels and a private cab – open a package for the complete price on your date.