Is Srinagar expensive to visit?
Srinagar is a quaint locale that appeals to a variety of visitors, each with different travel styles, spending patterns, and budget needs. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
Srinagar has the potential to be expensive, but you can manage your budget by looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $13 (₨1,152) per day, mid-range travelers spend $29 (₨2,459) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $54 (₨4,605) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Srinagar.
Within Asia, Srinagar is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Srinagar.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Srinagar Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Srinagar?
The average Srinagar trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Srinagar travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Srinagar cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Srinagar, it's important to be realistic about your travel budget. While some people assume they can travel very cheaply, most people aren't comfortable on an extreme shoestring budget. Consider what you enjoy most on vacation and how you like to travel. Do you perfer to stay in resorts, hotels, or hostels? Do you enjoy sightseeing and dining out? These factors will affect your overall budget and travel plans.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $13 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Luckily, there are plenty of hostels in Srinagar, such as The Flostel Srinagar, Zostel Srinagar, and John’s Homestay. Staying at these hostels means you can score affordable dorm lodging and a lively social vibe, but be prepared for basic amenities.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
For couples or families traveling for enjoyment, opting for a mid-range hotel, dining at popular restaurants, and exploring major museums and attractions with entry fees is likely. When visiting Srinagar, most people will want to check out the major attractions, museums, and iconic landmarks. Remember, many activities do come with costs. So, you should realistically expect your daily budget to be around $29 per person, per day.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $54 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the destination with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Private Sedan Cab to and from Srinagar Airport and Dal Lake - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Srinagar
The cost of hotels in Srinagar can be surprisingly wide-ranging. Some hotels charge a lot more because they offer extra luxury and amenities. Prices are also much higher during peak season. Off-season rooms average $57, but the demand in peak season pushes that average to around $106. Budget hotels range from $28 to $261, and hostels provide a cheaper option, especially in dorms. Booking early, traveling off-season, or finding special deals can help save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Srinagar for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $29 (₨2,500). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $15 (₨1,250) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Srinagar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Srinagar include:
- WelcomHeritage Gurkha Houseboats starting at $117
- Houseboat Zaindari Palace starting at $71
- Ikraam Inn Bed & Breakfast starting at $42
- Island Hotel Srinagar starting at $9
- Hillscape Inn starting at $65
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid , you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Srinagar
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $2.51 (₨214) per person, per day, on local transportation in Srinagar. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Srinagar is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$2.51
₨214
Sheikh ul Alam Airport, commonly known as Srinagar Airport, offers international service. Flights are operated by Jet Airways, Jet Konnect Indigo, SpiceJet, Go Air, Jet Lite and Air India from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar, with or without a layover at Jammu. Planes fly once or twice a day by each airline.
It is common for visitors to take the train to Jammu followed by a taxi or bus ride to Srinagar. Typical travel time from Jammu to Srinagar is 11-12 hours, while the ride from Srinagar to Jammu is about 9-10 hours (without any traffic). J&K State Road Transport Corporation (J&KSRTC) operates buses from Jammu, taking about 12 hours. Two-day buses run between Srinagar and Leh staying overnight in Kargil, as well as a direct 24-hour bus ride from Delhi to Srinagar.
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Srinagar Airport Transfers Taxi Service for $16 details
- Private Round-trip Transfer from Srinagar to Gulmarg for $37 details
- Srinagar To Leh, Ladakh Taxi (One way Transfer) for $243 details
How much does it cost to go to Srinagar? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Srinagar will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Srinagar
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Srinagar can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Srinagar is $8.76 (₨748) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$8.76
₨748
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Srinagar is around $9 (₨748) per person, with previous travelers spending from $4 to $17. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Srinagar are as follows:
- Breakfast: $1 to $3
- Lunch: $1 to $4
- Dinner: $3 to $6
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $1
The more popular restaurants and cafes of Srinagar are located in Lal Chowk or on Boulevard along the banks of the Dal Lake. Most restaurants will serve Kashmiri, Indian, Mughlai, and 'Indianized' Chinese dishes. Some of the local cuisine consists of rogan-gosht (meat cooked in red gravy), gushtaba (soft meatballs cooked in natural yogurt), rishta (soft meatballs in gravy), tabakmaaz (deep-fried lamb ribs), and kanti (small chunks of meat cooked with onions). Most meat dishes consist of chicken or mutton and are served with rice. Another local delicacy called is seekh-tuji which consists of marinated meat pieces, freshly barbecued and eaten with chutney. As far as drinks go, kahwah is a traditional green tea recipe from Kashmir made from green tea leaves with saffron strands, cinnamon bark, and cardamom.
Countless hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, but some will add it as an additional fee. The price and quality can change based on the hotel. Being informed ahead of time can aid in deciding whether to budget extra funds. You might enjoy the delightful buffet offered at the hotel, or perhaps a more economical option would be a nearby bakery or cafe.
Stay hydrated with a water bottle instead of purchasing drinks everywhere. It's also great for the environment.
When planning your tour, don't forget to check what meals are included. You might have to pay for some of your own food, which could add to your expenses.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Srinagar
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Srinagar typically cost an average of $10 (₨857) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$10
₨857
Sometimes referred to as the "Kashmiri Venice" Srinagar is a city surrounded by water. Lakes in the immediate area include Dal Lake-noted for its houseboats-as well as Nigeen Lake and Anchar Lake. Apart from these, the city is also famous for Wular Lake (one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia) and Manasbal Lake, both to the north of Srinagar. The Jhelum River, upon whose banks the city sits, is a tributary of the Indus River, and Dal and Anchar lakes.
The Mughal Gardens are also very famous, complete with terraced lawns, cascading fountains, and bright flowerbeds with boxes painted with a panorama of the Dal in front of them. Of these gardens, Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring) is situated on the banks of the Dal Lake with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, Shalimar Bagh is in front of Dal Lake built by Emperor Jahangir, and Chashma shahi (the royal fountains) is another beautiful example of a Mughal garden. Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies) and Naseem Bagh are also worth a visit.
Other popular sights include Hazratbal Mosque, Jamia Masjid Mosque, a mosque and shrine called Ziarati Hazrati Youza Asouph, and Shankaracharya Mandir-a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on a hilltop. Just on the outskirts of Srinagar, there is also Parihaspora, a place of ruins of the palaces of Kahmir's Buddhist and Hindu rulers and Buddhist places of worship.
Within the city, one of the most common activities is to take a ride on a skikara, or houseboat, on Dal Lake. Paragliding is also popular, where visitors can get a sweeping view of the city and its gardens and waterways from above. Srinagar also serves as a home base for adventure tourism, with many visitors looking to trek into the high altitude lakes of the Himalayas. Some of these alpine lakes include Vishansar Lake, Nundkol Lake, Tarsar Lake, Gadsar Lake, and Satsar Lake, amongst others.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Srinagar. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Private Custom Tour: Gulmarg local Sightseeing with guide for $84 details
- Gulmarg Adventure: A Thrilling Day Trip from Srinagar for $71 details
- Srinagar Splendors: A Private City Tour for $65 details
Srinagar, India
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.