Srinagar Travel Guide: Season, Stay & Costs

When to go

Srinagar has four fairly distinct seasons. Spring (March to May) brings blossoms and mild days but can be unpredictable with rain. Summer (June to August) is the most popular season, with pleasant days and cool evenings, ideal for families wanting to escape the heat of the plains. Autumn (September to November) brings the chinar trees into colour and tends to have clearer skies. Winter (December to February) is cold, with snowfall in the city itself, and is suited to travellers keen on snow rather than sightseeing by boat or garden visits, since Dal Lake can partly freeze and some gardens close for the season.

How to reach Srinagar

• By air: Srinagar Airport has regular domestic flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and several other major cities.
• By rail: The nearest major railhead is Jammu Tawi, from where it is a road journey of several hours to Srinagar via the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
• By road: Srinagar is connected by national highway to Jammu, and onward to the rest of the country, though mountain roads mean journey times can vary with weather and traffic.

We are not certain of current flight frequencies or fares, so it is worth checking directly with airlines or a booking platform closer to your travel dates.

What a typical trip costs

Based on Treeo's own stays in Srinagar, homestay accommodation is available from around ₹1,500 per night at the more affordable end, up to ₹3,508 per night for a more spacious homestay option. Beyond accommodation, costs will depend on your choice of meals, local transport such as shikara rides or cabs to nearby gardens, and any day trips to places like Gulmarg or Pahalgam. We do not have verified figures for these other costs, so it is sensible to budget with some flexibility and check current rates locally.

Where to stay

Treeo offers homestay options in Srinagar to suit different budgets. One option is located near Maa Dhari Devi Mandir, with rates starting from ₹1,500 a night, useful if you would like to be closer to this part of the city. Another homestay option starts from ₹3,508 a night and offers a bit more space and comfort for those willing to spend a little more. Both are homestays rather than larger hotels, so expect a more personal, home-style stay with local hosts.

Things to do

• Shikara ride on Dal Lake: A gentle boat ride is one of the classic Srinagar experiences, best done in the early morning or late afternoon light.
• Mughal gardens: Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashme Shahi are terraced gardens laid out in the Mughal era, worth visiting for their setting by the lake and hills.
• Old city and Jama Masjid: Wandering through the old city lanes and visiting the historic Jama Masjid gives a sense of Srinagar beyond the lake.
• Day trips to Gulmarg or Pahalgam: Both are a few hours from Srinagar by road and are popular for their meadows and mountain scenery, though exact travel times will depend on road and weather conditions.
• Dachigam National Park: For those interested in wildlife, this park lies a short distance from the city and is known for the Hangul deer, though visits typically need advance arrangement.

Srinagar rewards travellers who build in some unhurried time by the water and in the gardens, rather than trying to see everything in a rush.