Major city · India
Jammuजम्मू
Give Jammu one night as a staging point for Katra and the hills, or two if you want the old city temples and Mubarak Mandi at an unhurried pace.
Jammu is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir and the rail and road gateway to the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage at Katra, 48 km north. The city itself is a Dogra temple town on the Tawi river: Raghunath Mandir, Mubarak Mandi, Bahu Fort and the Raghunath Bazaar markets. Most travellers pass through in a night; two nights covers the sights without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Aug (38 °C (100 °F) and monsoon), late Dec–Jan nights near freezingavoid Jun–Aug (100 °F (38 °C) and monsoon), late Dec–Jan nights near freezing
- Airport
- IXJ
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
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 Jammu112 ▾
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 Jammu, 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
- SafetyJammu is calmer than Srinagar and the main markets are easy going by day.
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 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 1363 Tourist helpline (India, 24 h, multilingual) (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.
- AirportIXJ Jammu Airport (Jammu Civil Enclave), Raipur Satwari (About 8 km (5 mi) south-west of the centre; IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India fly from Delhi…IXJ Jammu Airport (Jammu Civil Enclave), Raipur Satwari (About 5 mi (8 km) south-west of the centre; IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India fly from Delhi…
- Getting aroundAutos and minibuses cover the city; agree the auto fare before you get in.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at a stall₹10–30 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,200 (≈ US$6–14)
- Museum or sight ticketTemple or museum entryFree to ₹100 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Budget bedDharamshala or guest-house bed, a night, per person₹300 (≈ US$4)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,800 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹4,000 (≈ US$50) · High ₹9,000 (≈ US$110)
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
- IXJ Jammu Airport (Jammu Civil Enclave), Raipur Satwari (About 8 km (5 mi) south-west of the centre; IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India fly from Delhi, plus links to Srinagar, Leh, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Amritsar. Prepaid taxi or app cab to the centre.)IXJ Jammu Airport (Jammu Civil Enclave), Raipur Satwari (About 5 mi (8 km) south-west of the centre; IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India fly from Delhi, plus links to Srinagar, Leh, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Amritsar. Prepaid taxi or app cab to the centre.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Care
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Care*
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov. Mixed: Dec–Jan. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest May (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Oct (2). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Jammu: 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
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 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
Autos and minibuses cover the city; agree the auto fare before you get in. Buses between the railway station and the General Bus Stand run about every few minutes and take roughly 10 minutes. Taxis are worth it for the Bahu Fort and Mubarak Mandi cluster, which is spread out. For Katra and the hills, buses and shared Sumos leave from the General Bus Stand.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Katra (Vaishno Devi)
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h each way
Bus or shared Sumo from the General Bus Stand, or train to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra
The trek from Katra to the shrine is 12–13 km (7.5–8.1 mi) uphill; most people sleep in Katra, not Jammu.The trek from Katra to the shrine is 7.5–8.1 mi (12–13 km) uphill; most people sleep in Katra, not Jammu.
Patnitop
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h each way
Bus or taxi via NH44 through Udhampur
Hill station at about 2,000 m; too far for a comfortable return day.
Udhampur
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h each way
Train or bus on NH44, about 65 km (40 mi) northTrain or bus on NH44, about 40 mi (65 km) north
Doable as a half-day for the town and its market.
Mansar Lake
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h each way
Taxi or bus, about 62 km (39 mi) eastTaxi or bus, about 39 mi (62 km) east
A lake and picnic spot; a long half-day with little else nearby.
Bhadarwah
overnightDoor to door: 5–6 h each way
Bus or taxi via Batote, roughly 200 km (124 mi)Bus or taxi via Batote, roughly 124 mi (200 km)
A hill town for a separate trip, not a day out.
Poonch
overnightDoor to door: 6–7 h each way
Bus or taxi via Rajouri, roughly 240 km (149 mi)Bus or taxi via Rajouri, roughly 149 mi (240 km)
Remote border district; go only with a plan and daylight driving.
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.
Railway station and bus stand belt
Cheapest beds and the easiest arrival: walkable guest houses and dhams opposite Jammu Tawi, plus mid-range lodges 300–400 m away. Best for one night with bags.
Raghunath Bazaar and old city
Temples, Pacca Danga lanes and street food on foot; older buildings, noisier nights. Good for a two-night sightseeing stay.
Gandhi Nagar and Bahu Plaza
Modern hotels, malls and restaurants; 10–15 min by auto from the old city. The pick if you want a quiet, comfortable room.
Bahu Fort side (Bagh-e-Bahu)
Riverside gardens and the aquarium; quieter and greener, but you need a vehicle for everything else.
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
- ₹1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–6,000 (≈ US$35–70) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹4,000 | ₹8,000 |
| Airport taxi to the centre, one way1 × ₹700 · check | ₹700 |
| Auto across the old city, one trip1 × ₹150 · check | ₹150 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹900 | ₹1,800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,320 |
| Trip total≈ ₹7,240 per person per day, bed included | ₹14,470≈ US$170 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and Katra pilgrimage costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chai at a stall | ₹10–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Thali or paratha meal at a dhaba | ₹100–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Rajma-chawal or Dogra vegetarian plate in a mid-range restaurant | ₹250–500 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Auto ride across the centreAgree before boarding. | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Temple or museum entry | Free to ₹100 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,200 (≈ US$6–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Carry photo ID: checkpoints are normal near the border and on the Katra road, and photographing military sites is not allowed.
- Agree auto and taxi fares before boarding; there are no meters in practice.
- Summer heat is real: 38 °C (100 °F) highs in Jun, so do temples and forts before 11:00.Summer heat is real: 38 °C (100 °F) highs in Jun, so do temples and forts before 11:00 AM.Summer heat is real: 100 °F (38 °C) highs in Jun, so do temples and forts before 11:00.Summer heat is real: 100 °F (38 °C) highs in Jun, so do temples and forts before 11:00 AM.
- Monsoon downpours flood low-lying roads and make hill roads slippery; avoid late-night driving to Patnitop or Katra.
- Crowds at Raghunath Bazaar and the bus stands are where pickpockets work; keep bags in front.
- Steer clear of political gatherings and move away if a crowd tightens.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Tourist helpline (India, 24 h, multilingual)
- 1363
Pocket card
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Jammuजम्मू
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
कृपया मुझे इस पते पर ले चलेंPlease take me to this address
Emergency
- All services112
- Tourist helpline (24 h)1363
Embassy
No embassies in Jammu; most countries keep embassies in New Delhi and many have consulates in Mumbai or Kolkata. The US, UK, Canada and Australia all operate from New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre, taxi: about ₹600–900 (≈ US$7–11), 20–30 min (check)
- Auto across the old city: ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3), agree first
- Bus Jammu → Katra: about ₹100–150 (≈ US$2), 1.5–2 h (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello / Namaste (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितने का है? — How much is it? (kitne ka hai)
- कृपया मुझे इस पते पर ले चलें — Please take me to this address (kripya mujhe is pate par le chalein)
- शौचालय कहाँ है? — Where is the toilet? (shauchalay kahan hai)
- नहीं चाहिए, धन्यवाद — I don't want it, thank you (nahin chahiye, dhanyavaad)
Dogri and Hindi are the local languages; English works in hotels, airlines and larger restaurants, less so in small dhabas.
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 Jammu. 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: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Aug (38 °C and monsoon), late Dec–Jan nights near freezing · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for IXJ: prepaid taxi desk, app-cab fallback, first-night rung.
- Walking clusters with anchors: Raghunath Bazaar and Raghunath Mandir, Mubarak Mandi and Amar Mahal, Bahu Fort and Bagh-e-Bahu, the station belt.
- Place pages with verified hours and ticket rules for Raghunath Mandir, Mubarak Mandi, Amar Mahal, Bahu Fort and Bagh-e-Bahu.
- Katra transfer fixture: bus and Sumo departure windows from the General Bus Stand, plus the Katra rail option.