Major city · India
Katra
Spend one day for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage; stay overnight if you arrive late or want rest before the trek back.
Katra is the gateway to the Maa Vaishno Devi shrine, 42 km from Jammu. Most pilgrims do the trek in a single day; an overnight stay helps if you miss the early start or prefer a relaxed pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Sep–May (check)
- avoid Jun–Aug (check)
- Airport
- JAI
- 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
Emergency numbers for Katra112 ▾
- Police / General emergencies112
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 Katra, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for pilgrims; stay alert in crowded areas and keep valuables secure.
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 / general emergencies (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.
- AirportJAI Jammu Airport (Taxi about 1 h to Katra).
- Getting aroundTaxis and auto‑rickshaws from the station or bus stand; short walks to the shrine base.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSnack (chai & samosa)₹30–60 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from station₹820–890 (≈ US$10–11)
- Budget bedBudget hotel double, a night, per person₹700 (≈ US$8)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · 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
- JAI Jammu Airport (Taxi about 1 h to Katra)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Sep–May. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Katra: 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
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 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
Taxis and auto‑rickshaws from the station or bus stand; short walks to the shrine base.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Udhampur
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus or taxi about 35 km (22 mi), 1 h driveBus or taxi about 22 mi (35 km), 1 h drive
Second‑largest town in the district, useful for supplies.
Jammu
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Train or bus 42 km (26 mi), ~1 hTrain or bus 26 mi (42 km), ~1 h
Airport city; good for a brief city visit.
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.
Hotel Sunchick
₹700 per night for a double room
National Guest House
₹600–700 per night for double/triple; 24 h checkout
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
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel double1 × 1 night × ₹700 | ₹700 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 |
| Taxi from station to hotel1 × ₹850 · ₹820–890 range (check) | ₹850 |
| eSIM data for a week1 × ₹300 · check | ₹300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹310 |
| Trip total≈ ₹3,360 per person per day, bed included | ₹3,360≈ US$40 |
Hotel Sunchick or similar
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance train tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Taxi from station | ₹820–890 (≈ US$10–11) |
| Local auto‑rickshaw ride (5 km) | ₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Snack (chai & samosa) | ₹30–60 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi fares from the station range ₹820–890 (≈ US$10–11); confirm price before boarding.
- Peak pilgrimage season can cause crowding at the temple and on the trek path.
Emergency numbers
- Police / General emergencies
- 112
Pocket card
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KatraKatra
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
कृपया इस पते पर ले जाएँTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / General emergencies112
Embassy
US Consulate in Jammu (check address); other embassies in New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Station → Hotel (taxi): about ₹850 (≈ US$10) (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?)
- शौचालय कहाँ है? — Where is the toilet? (shauchalay kahan 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 Katra. 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: Sep–May (check) · avoid Jun–Aug (check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at a budget hotel if you arrive after 10 am.
- Consider a guided trek service during peak season.
Sources
Ask about Katra
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