Katra is one of the most famous cities in India among tourists and devotees as it is close to the Vaishno Devi Temple and has several hidden gems to explore. Katra is the starting point for the Vaishno Devi Temple surrounded by the divine Trikut Hills. Katra is located at a distance of 45 Km from Jammu. The Vaishno Devi Temple is just 15 Km from the Katra and the starting point for the temple trek is also known as the Banganga Checkpost in Katra.
Click to learn more about, Vaishno Devi Yatra.
Also, you can go for Vaishno Devi Ropeway Booking Online in advance which is provided by YatraDham.
There are various ways to reach Katra. In this blog, you will learn how to reach Katra with different modes of transport and also the nearby places.
How to Reach Katra by Road
The town of Katra is located at the foot of the Trikuta Mountains. Various buses from Delhi travel directly to Katra. The city is well connected with many major cities through roads.
Jammu is around 50 km from Katra. Private taxis or buses are easily available from Jammu to Katra.
| Cities | Distance from Katra (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Reasi | 24 Km |
| Jammu | 42 Km |
| Kathua | 129 Km |
| Delhi | 685 Km |
Also to reach the Vaishno Devi Temple, one has to trek about 15 Km from the
Banganga Checkpost in Katra. Devotees can trek on foot or Horse, on palki and in a helicopter to cover the trek.
How to Reach Katra by Rail
The nearest railway station in Katra is Mata Vaishno Devi railway station. Devotees can easily reach Katra from different cities. There is a direct train from Delhi to Katra named Shri Shakti Express NDLS-SVDK.
One can reach Katra from Jammu railway station also, the train route is:
Jammu->Bajalta->Sangar->Manwal->Ramnagar (JK)->Udhampur->Chak Rakhwal->Katra.
Also, the Vande Bharat Express Train has decreased the time and difficulties for the devotees traveling from Delhi To Katra. Vande Bharat has only 3 Stops at Ambala, Ludhiana, and Jammu Tawi before reaching Katra.
Timing of the Vande Bharat Train 18:
- Delhi to Katra: Start the Journey at 6:00 AM and reach Katra at 2:00 PM
- The next train is at 3:00 PM and reaches Katra at 11:00 PM.
Note: Train runs regularly in a week except Wednesday.
You can book the train ticket from www.irctc.co.in.
For more information about Vande Bharat Express and Booking visit the here -> Vande Bharat Express train.
How to Reach Katra by Air
The nearest Airport to Katra is in Jammu, which is around 75 km away. Flights to Jammu are easily available from many major cities, such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, etc. From the Jammu Airport, one can hire a private taxi or take a local bus to Katra.
Here is the schedule of flight arrivals for Jammu:
| City | Jammu |
| Airport Name | Jammu Airport / Satwari Airport |
| Airport Code | IXJ |
Jammu Airport: Time Table of major Flight Arrivals
| Airline | Departure | Duration | Arrival Time at IXJ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indigo | SXR Srinagar (11:45 AM) | 01 h | 12:45 PM |
| Air India | DEL New Delhi (10:40 AM) | 01 h 25 m | 12:05 PM |
| Spicejet | DEL New Delhi (07:55 AM) | 01 h 40 m | 09:35 AM |
| Indigo | HYD Hyderabad (01:30 PM) | 02 h 45 m | 04:15 PM |
| Indigo | LXL Leh (10:15 AM) | 01 h | 11:15 AM |
From the airport, one can hire a taxi or use other local transportation to reach Katra.
If you want to go Vaishno Devi Temple then you should know about its timings and many other things while visiting.
How to Reach Katra from Delhi
There are approx 39 weekly trains and 9 daily trains that run from Delhi to Jammu & Vaishno Devi Katra. Some of the trains that operate between Delhi and Vaishno Devi Katra include DADN SVDK SF SPL and SC JAT SPL. One can take the train from Delhi to Jammu and hire a cab or local transport to reach Katra.
How to Reach Katra from Srinagar
The fastest way to reach Katra from Srinagar is to take a flight to Jammu which takes around 1 hour and then once can hire a cab from the Jammu airport to Katra. You can even opt for a bus journey which takes around 8 hours to reach Srinagar.
How to Reach Katra from Mumbai
You can reach Katra by taking the Swaraj Express which is the fastest train from Mumbai to Katra, taking about 30 hours and 25 minutes. You can fly from Mumbai (BOM) to Srinagar (SXR) and then take a taxi to Katra.
Places to Visit near Katra
- Bhairavnath temple, Vaishno Devi
- Ardh Kuwari Cave
- Dera Baba Banda
- Bagh-e-Bahu
- Bahu Fort
Best Time to Visit Katra
The best time to visit Katra is in summer between March to June. The temperature will be peaceful and calm in the day and a bit cool by evening.
Accommodation options in Katra
Planning to visit Katra? There are many options for accommodation available in Katra near the Vaishno Devi Temple. Below are some of the best options to stay in Katra. You can easily book it online through YatraDham.org.
Here, you can find complete details on how to reach Katra with modes of transport. I hope all this information will help you to plan a trip to Katra – Vaishno Devi Temple.
If you are looking for The Best Hotel Near Katra Railway Station, here is a detailed Blog on this topic is given below.
FAQs
Katra is a wonderful and spiritual place in Jammu Kashmir, it is famous because of the Vaishno Devi Temple which is nearest to Katra.
Jammu is the closest city to Katra which is about 45 Km.
Katra is a small town located on the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains in the territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station (SVDK) is the nearest railway station to Katra.
The fastest way to reach Katra from Jammu is by Train.
