The price of Gulmarg Gondola ticket in 2025-26: Phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdori, return) is Rs 810 per person. The cost of Phase 2 (Kongdori to Afarwat, return) is ₹1,010 per person. The combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 cost is ₹1,820. Children under 3 years old travel free. Tatkal tickets are priced at ₹1,110 (Phase 1) and ₹1,310 (Phase 2) The instant portal opens at 5:00 pm every day for about 5 minutes. There are no offline ticket counters in Gulmarg. All bookings are done online through the official portal of JKCCI (etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com). Phase 2 operates in two time slots: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM.s
Every year, thousands of people arrive in Gulmarg hoping to buy a gondola ticket from a counter, only to discover that there is no counter. Because the entire booking system went completely online, offline tickets are non-existent. Consequently, peak-season slots are almost always sold out several days in advance. This guide tells you what a Gulmarg Gondola ticket costs in 2025-26, how to book it before you arrive, what Phase 1 and Phase 2 actually entail, and the instant system most tourists don’t know about until it’s too late.
We are Quest Kashmir, a Srinagar-based travel company that has been planning tours to Kashmir for more than 20 years. Every season, we reserve Gulmarg Gondola tickets for our clients. And we tell them precisely that.
Gulmarg Gondola Ticket Price 2026-27 — The Current Rates
What Is the Gulmarg Gondola?
The Gulmarg Gondola — also called the Gulmarg cable car or Gulmarg ropeway — is one of the highest cable car systems in Asia. It operates in two phases from the town of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir:
The Gondola Journey
Prepare for one of the highest cable car rides in the world.
Phase 1
Gulmarg ➔ Kongdori
Phase 2
Kongdori ➔ Apharwat
Cabin Capacity
Holds max 4 passengers for an intimate ride.
Peak Views
Spot Nanga Parbat (8,126m) in clear weather.
Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 vs Phase 2 — Which Should You Book?
This is the question we get asked most, and the honest answer depends on what you are going for.
Gulmarg Gondola: Phase 1 vs. Phase 2
Every passenger is different. Here is how to decide how high to go.
Phase 1 — Gulmarg to Kongdori
Phase 1 is the right choice for most visitors. The Kongdori bowl is where the main ski slopes are, where the ski school operates, and where you get dramatic views of the Kashmir valley below while still being accessible to people of all fitness levels.
Phase 2 — Kongdori to Apharwat
Phase 2 takes you up to Apharwat Peak—and this is where things get serious. The terrain is steep, largely ungroomed, and the views are extraordinary. But be prepared: there are no food stalls, no shelter, and the altitude is significant.
✅ Do Phase 2 If:
- You ski at an intermediate/advanced level.
- You are a serious photographer.
- You’ve done Phase 1 before and want to go higher.
❌ Do NOT Do Phase 2 If:
- You are a complete beginner.
- You are travelling with young children.
- You have altitude sensitivity or heart issues.
Gulmarg Gondola Timing — Operating Hours and Slots
Generally, the Gulmarg Gondola operates from 9:00 AM to approximately 5:30 PM; however, this is always subject to weather conditions.
Gondola Time Slots & Advice
Strategic booking is the key to conquering the mountain.
Phase 2 Schedule
Apharwat Peak runs on a strict two-slot system.
Phase 1 Flexibility
Phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdori) operates more flexibly throughout the full daily operating window.
The Tatkal Gondola Ticket System — What Most People Don’t Know
Significantly, in December 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation introduced a Tatkal ticket system specifically for the Gulmarg Gondola. This is genuinely useful if you arrive in Gulmarg without a pre-booked ticket.
How it works:
- First, the Tatkal portal opens every day at exactly 5:00 PM.
- However, you must act fast because it stays open for approximately 5 minutes only.
- Specifically, 300 Phase 1 Tatkal tickets are released daily.
- In addition, 200 Phase 2 Tatkal tickets are released daily.
Tatkal ticket prices:
- Currently, Phase 1 Tatkal is ₹1,110 per person.
- Meanwhile, Phase 2 Tatkal is ₹1,310 per person.
The Tatkal system is genuinely useful for spontaneous visitors who did not pre-book, but you need to be at the booking portal exactly at 5:00 PM — the window closes fast. We monitor this for all our clients during peak season and assist with Tatkal booking when advance tickets are not available.
How to Book Gulmarg Gondola Tickets
Most importantly, there is no offline ticket counter at Gulmarg. Instead, the entire system is strictly online. Consequently, this catches a surprising number of visitors off guard every season.
How to Book Your Tickets
Official JKCCI Portal
Visit etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com. Select your date, phase, and time slot. Enter passenger details (name exactly as per Govt ID) and pay online. Confirmation arrives via email.
Quest Kashmir
We handle bookings for all our winter package clients automatically. For standalone assistance, we monitor slot availability and secure your tickets for you.
WhatsApp: +91 9797000322How to Get from Srinagar to Gulmarg Gondola
To begin with, Gulmarg is approximately 56 km from Srinagar, which generally takes about 2 hours by road in good winter conditions. Specifically, the route initially goes via Tangmarg and subsequently heads up a mountain road to Gulmarg town. From there, the Gondola base station is merely a short walk away.
However, you must absolutely avoid self-driving in winter. Primarily, the road from Tangmarg to Gulmarg involves a steep mountain ascent that undoubtedly requires extensive experience in navigating snow conditions. Furthermore, whenever snowfall is heavy, vehicles certainly require chains on their tyres. Consequently, first-time visitors who attempt to self-drive in January frequently get stuck or, ultimately, end up facing unnecessary delays.
To solve this, we comprehensively provide Srinagar to Gulmarg transfers as part of our Kashmir Winter Tour Packages. For instance, we utilize Innova Crystas for small groups and Tempo Travellers for larger groups. Moreover, we always ensure our drivers are highly experienced on this specific road across all winter conditions. Alternatively, if you prefer independent travel, you can also easily arrange a standalone car rental directly from our car rentals page.
What to Expect at the Gulmarg Gondola — The Practical Reality
Mountain Boarding Protocol
Read these essential guidelines before arriving at the Gondola base.
Arrive Early (8:30 AM)
Even with a pre-booked ticket for the 9 AM slot, arriving at the base station by 8:30 AM is sensible. There is a verification process, and boarding involves organised queues.
Carry Government ID
Your ticket is issued strictly against your name and ID. You will be asked to present the original government ID at the boarding point. No ID means no entry.
Dress for Extreme Altitude
Kongdori (Phase 1) is significantly colder than the base. At Apharwat (Phase 2), temperatures plunge below -10°C with severe wind chill. Thermal layers, a heavy down jacket, ski gloves, and a balaclava are absolutely mandatory.
Carry Cash for Activities
While Gondola tickets are paid online, mountain activities at Kongdori—including skiing lessons, equipment hire, and food stalls (Maggi, tea, momos)—are largely cash-based. Digital payments often fail due to poor network.
Phase 2 Can Close Without Notice
Mountain weather is non-negotiable. Strong winds or sudden snowfall can force JKCCI to close Phase 2 mid-day, even if you hold a confirmed slot. Safety takes absolute priority. If this happens, refunds or rebooking are typically processed by the authorities.
Gulmarg Gondola in Winter vs Summer
The Gondola operates year-round but the experience is fundamentally different by season.Gulmarg is approximately 56 km from Srinagar, which takes about 2 hours by road in good winter conditions. Specifically, the route goes via Tangmarg and then heads up a mountain road to Gulmarg town. From there, the Gondola base station is just a short walk away.
However, you should avoid self-driving in winter. Because the road from Tangmarg to Gulmarg involves a steep mountain ascent, it requires extensive experience in navigating snow conditions. Furthermore, when snowfall is heavy, vehicles require chains on their tyres. Consequently, first-time visitors who try to self-drive in January often get stuck or end up facing unnecessary delays.
Therefore, to solve this, we provide Srinagar to Gulmarg transfers as part of our Kashmir Winter Tour Packages. For instance, we utilize Innova Crystas for small groups, whereas we deploy Tempo Travellers for larger groups. Furthermore, and most importantly, our drivers are highly experienced on this specific road across all winter conditions. Alternatively, you can also easily arrange a standalone car rental directly from our car rentals page.
Planning Your Gulmarg Trip With Quest Kashmir
FAQ
To begin with, Phase 2 of the Gulmarg Gondola technically operates year-round; however, its daily status is highly weather-dependent. Consequently, guaranteed access is never certain on any given day. Specifically, high winds, dense fog, or heavy snowstorms frequently trigger sudden closures, even while Phase 1 remains fully operational. Therefore, to maximize your chances of riding, you should undoubtedly book the earliest morning slot (9:00 AM). Furthermore, you must always verify the live operational status on the exact day of your visit.
Unquestionably, Gulmarg remains open for tourists today and throughout the entire year. Indeed, the destination transitions beautifully across seasons, specifically shifting from green summer meadows to a snowy winter wonderland. As a result, you can certainly visit right now. Furthermore, the local authorities consistently keep the main access roads clear. Therefore, unless extreme, unprecedented snowfall blocks the highway, tourism operations continue normally.
Without a doubt, Gulmarg is currently very safe for tourists. Moreover, thousands of visitors confidently travel there every single day. In addition, the roads leading up from Srinagar are generally well-maintained. Nevertheless, during heavy winter snow, you must absolutely travel in specialized vehicles equipped with anti-skid chains to ensure maximum safety. Consequently, booking a private, dedicated SUV with an experienced winter driver is highly recommended. Ultimately, proper planning makes the journey entirely secure.
Generally speaking, there is no strict upper age limit for the primary Gondola; however, several specific age-related rules do exist. First, children under 3 years old travel entirely for free and do not require a ticket. Conversely, children aged 3 and above must purchase a full-fare ticket. Furthermore, regarding the Phase 3 chairlift, children below 11 are strictly prohibited. Most importantly, because Phase 2 ascends to nearly 4,200 metres, altitude sickness remains a serious risk. Therefore, old citizens and parents of very young children should certainly consult a doctor beforehand
Absolutely, Phase 2 of the Gulmarg Gondola is mechanically and operationally exceptionally safe. To illustrate, the prestigious French firm Pomagalski originally built the system, while the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation meticulously maintains it today. Additionally, the fully enclosed glass cabins ensure a highly stable ride. Furthermore, the operators implement immediate closures during unsafe weather conditions, which serves as their primary safety measure. Hence, the physical ride itself is highly secure. Nonetheless, from a medical perspective, the thin air at this extreme altitude may pose risks for individuals with pre-existing heart or respiratory issues.
Unquestionably, yes; Phase 2 is the absolute best location for experiencing snow. Because Apharwat Peak reaches approximately 4,200 metres, it retains deep snow much longer than the lower elevations. Consequently, during winter, it offers spectacular, deep powder for skiing. Moreover, even in the summer months (April to June), you will still likely encounter persistent snow patches up there. Therefore, if your primary objective is snow, Phase 2 is undoubtedly worth the journey.
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