Major city · India
Kargil
Spend 1 night in Kargil as a transit stop between Leh and Srinagar; the town is small and walkable, so no need to linger.
Kargil is Ladakh's second capital and a key road hub linking Leh, Srinagar and Zanskar. The town is small, walkable, and mainly useful as a brief stopover on longer Ladakh itineraries.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid check (winter conditions and road access)
- Airports
- Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (IXL) · Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar (SXR)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kargil112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kargil, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyKargil is generally safe for tourists; main risks are altitude sickness and occasional road closures in winter.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 Medical · 112 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckIXL Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (Nearest airport; road journey time to Kargil check).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable end‑to‑end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus ticket Leh↔Kargil₹500–800 (≈ US$6–10)
- Budget bedHotel D' Meadows basic room, a night, per person₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedHotel D' Meadows basic room, a night, per person₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedHotel D' Meadows basic room, a night, per person₹4,500 (≈ US$55)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IXL Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (Nearest airport; road journey time to Kargil check) · SXR Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar (Road route via the Zoji La pass; pass conditions and journey time check)
Map of Kargil
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
not flagged
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kargil: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
0 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
0 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
0 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
0 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
0 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
0 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
0 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
0 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable end‑to‑end. Buses connect to Leh, Srinagar and Padum; shared jeeps are faster but cost more.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lamayuru
goDoor to door: check
Bus from Kargil (service and frequency check)
Small village with a Buddhist gompa en route to Leh.
Zanskar (Padum)
goDoor to door: check
Bus or shared jeep (services and times check)
Gateway to Zanskar valley; consider a night in Padum for deeper exploration.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Izhar Palace
Dormitory floor bedding with blankets near the bus station; price check
Hotel D' Meadows Ladakh
Rooms on NH 1; 24-hour room service and bottled drinking water; price check
Hotel The Kargil
Rooms on Hospital Rd; price check
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–5,000 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Izhar Palace dormitory bed2 × 1 night × ₹50 | ₹100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Shared jeep Kargil↔Leh (one way)2 × ₹1,200 | ₹2,400 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,350 |
| Trip total≈ ₹7,430 per person per day, bed included | ₹14,850≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Tea (chai) | ₹30–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Simple meal (dal, rice, roti) | ₹150–300 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bus ticket Leh↔Kargil | ₹500–800 (≈ US$6–10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus ticket office is in a narrow lane and can be chaotic; buy tickets in advance if possible.
- Accommodation quality is low; bedding may not be clean even in pricier places (check).
- Altitude and road conditions: check before you travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Medical
- 112
- Fire
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KargilKargil
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
इस पते पर ले चलिएTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Medical112
Embassy
Indian consulates are in Leh and Srinagar; US consulate in Leh (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Leh → Kargil: about ₹600 (≈ US$7), 4 h (check)
- Shared jeep Kargil → Srinagar: about ₹1,200 (≈ US$14), 6 h (check)
Say or show
- माफ़ कीजिए — Excuse me / Sorry (maaf kijiye)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- यह कितना है? — How much is this? (yeh kitna hai?)
- बस स्टेशन कहाँ है? — Where is the bus station? (bas station kahaan hai?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kargil. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid check (winter conditions and road access) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Kargil
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