A Travel Guide on reaching Jammu by Air, Train & Road on Public Transport or Self Drive
A number of Airlines operate from Jammu Airport to various important destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar. Helicopter Service is also available from Katra (the base camp of Mata Vaishno Deviji) to Mata Vaishno Deviji Bhawan. The airport in Jammu city is within the Jammu city. Popular air carriers like Spice Jet, Jet Airways, Go Air, Indigo and Air India have regular flights from Jammu. New Delhi is the closet International Airport with daily flights to Jammu. Once you reach Jammu Airport, you can hire a (pre-paid) taxi or a cab for commuting within the Jammu city or further travel to desired place.
Jammu Tawi is an important Railhead of the Northern India. Jammu has been very well connected to almost every major town in India and there are very frequent trains to major cities like like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Trivandrum etc. During the holiday season, additional trains operate to and from various parts of the country. Some of the popular trains that run to and from Jammu Railway station are Jammu Rajdhani, Jammu Mail, Jammu Tawi Express, Shalimar Express, Jehlum Express, Malwa Express, Himsagar Express, Himgiri Express, Hemkunt Express etc. Some of the trains run on fixed days of the week so it is advisable to check the train schedule before booking.
The nearest Rail Junction in Jammu is located within the city and is known as Jammu Tawi. One can hire a (pre-paid) taxi or a tourists cab from Jammu Railway Station for commuting within the Jammu city or further travel to desired location. Railway station has the arrangement of Buses that leave regularly for Katra (to facilitate pilgrims visiting the Holy Cave Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Trikuta Hills) and Srinagar in Kashmir.
Jammu is on National Highway 1-A and is connected by the highway network to all parts of the country. This National Highway in J&K is known as B.C. Road that connects Punjab in the south with major towns in J&K like Jammu and Srinagar ( Kashmir) that further leads to Ladakh in north. The road from Srinagar to Ladakh remain closed for the winter months of the year.
Self Drive - Many people drive from nearby cities like Amritsar (243 kilometers approx. that might take around 5-6 hours), Chandigarh ( 345 kilometers approx. that might take around 7-8 hours), Delhi (600 kilometers approx. that might take around 10-12 hours) as these can be comfortably taken by road depending on the vehicle. Where as Jammu to Srinagar is a mountainous road with patches of tough terrain (305 kilometers approx. that might take around 8-12 hours).
Bus Service - Daily bus services of all classes operate to and from Jammu to Delhi, Amritsar, Ambala, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Shimla, Manali, Haridwar etc. In some cases there is arrangement for night service as well.
Besides the J&K State Road Transport Corporation, the Road Transport Corporations of Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh and Rajasthan also operate bus services between Jammu and various cities in north India. All Inter-State Bus Services operate to and from the Jammu General Bus Stand. Super Deluxe and Video Coaches buses to Srinagar operate from Jammu Railway Station and the Tourist Reception Centre. Other buses to Srinagar leave from the General Bus Stand. Besides, some travel agencies also operate Deluxe/ AC/ Video Coaches on the main routes.
Tourist Taxis - Tourists Taxies (Toyota Innova, Chevrolet Tavera, Mahindra Xylo etc.) operate between Jammu - Srinagar and Jammu - Katra. Some Taxies also operate on shared seat basis. These are mostly run by private Tour Operators. Taxis for local sightseeing or to visit any tourist destination can be hired at Jammu from the Tourist Taxi Association, Tourist Reception Centre/ Railway Station/ Airport in Jammu. You would need to check with the concerned for latest tariff.
Local Transport - The widely used mini buses cover the entire city and suburban areas on fixed routes. Auto rickshaws are also easily available from all points in the city at negotiable rates.
