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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Sep–May (check)
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (check)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,500–5,000 excl. bed · High ₹5,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police / General emergencies 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi from station | ₹820–890 |
| Local auto‑rickshaw ride (5 km (3.1 mi))Local auto‑rickshaw ride (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ₹150–200 |
| Snack (chai & samosa) | ₹30–60 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- JAI · Jammu Airport
- Taxi about 1 h to Katra
Typical fares
- Station → Hotel (taxi)
- about ₹850 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis and auto‑rickshaws from the station or bus stand; short walks to the shrine base.
See and do
Known for
- Maa Vaishno Devi temple
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Udhampur | Bus or taxi about 35 km (22 mi), 1 h driveBus or taxi about 22 mi (35 km), 1 h drive | ≈1 h |
| Jammu | Train or bus 42 km (26 mi), ~1 hTrain or bus 26 mi (42 km), ~1 h | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Sunchick
- ₹700 per night for a double room
- National Guest House
- ₹600–700 per night for double/triple; 24 h checkout
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजिएmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is this? | यह कितना है?yeh kitna hai? |
| Where is the toilet? | शौचालय कहाँ है?shauchalay kahan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Taxi fares from the station range ₹820–890; confirm price before boarding.
- Peak pilgrimage season can cause crowding at the temple and on the trek path.
Generally safe for pilgrims; stay alert in crowded areas and keep valuables secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Katra yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Maa Vaishno Devi temple
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Katra: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Katra, revision 5089042 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5089042
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Katra
कृपया इस पते पर ले जाएँ
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / General emergencies112
US Consulate in Jammu (check address); other embassies in New Delhi.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/katra). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.