Continuing from the previous article where I talked about the bus between Srinagar and Ladakh, in this article, I will provide details on the reverse route of this same service, the Leh to Srinagar Bus. If you were planning your trip to Leh by public transport, the information below can be of help.
Even though people prefer to travel by their own vehicle, completing this journey by Bus too is a different kind of experience in my opinion. It is a great choice if you were traveling on a strict budget; or with your family. If you have been to Ladakh before and have been thinking about a second trip, maybe you can think about going there by Bus; just to add a different perspective to the journey.
Also read:
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Leh to Srinagar Bus Service
There are two types of buses available to travel between Leh and Srinagar. The first one is a government-run bus; operated by Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation. The other buses available are by private tour operators. The JKSRTC Buses are a mix of luxury, semi-deluxe, and ordinary. Private tour operators mostly provide semi-deluxe mini-buses.
JKSRTC Bus From Leh to Srinagar
There are three different kinds of buses offered by JKSRTC on this route. One is MCV, 19 and 14 seaters which are full luxury buses. The second one is a deluxe bus and the last one being a semi-deluxe. There could also be an ordinary bus which will be the least comfortable of all but cheapest as well. The ordinary bus may or may not be available but the MCV, Deluxe and Semi Deluxe bus is a daily service.
Also read: Is Srinagar Leh Highway Safe for Tourists?
Leh to Srinagar Bus Fare
Bus Fare from Leh to Srinagar per person is Rs. 1,300 for an MCV Luxury Bus, Rs. 919 for a Deluxe bus and Rs. 737 for s Semi – Deluxe. Ordinary Bus if available would cost around Rs. 500 per person. Source: JKSRTC
Where to Board the Bus
You can board this bus from the main bus stand at Leh.
Leh to Srinagar Bus Timings
This bus starts at 2 PM from Leh; runs non-stop with very few breaks; and arrives at Srinagar the next day at 7.30 AM after a journey of about 18 hours.
Leh to Srinagar Bus Booking
You will have to buy your ticket for this bus at least a day in advance, or at least in the morning; a few hours before the journey. There is no other booking system available and you cannot buy a ticket for more than a day in advance.
Also read:
Online Booking
There is no online booking system available for this service. You will have to buy a ticket in person from the bus stand itself.
Leh to Srinagar Bus Route
This bus follows the Srinagar Leh highway via Kargil. The route of the journey will be,
Leh – Nimmu – Khalsi – Lamayuru – Fotu La – Namika La – Mulbekh – Kargil – Dras – Zoji La – Sonamarg – Kangan – Ganderbal – Srinagar
Leh to Srinagar Volvo Bus
There is no Volvo between Srinagar to Leh, just the MCV by JKSRTC which is as good as a Volvo.
Leh to Srinagar Bus in April
This bus is not available in the month of April. It becomes operational only by May when Zojila has been freed from snow and declared safe for a bus to ply by the authorities.
Leh to Srinagar via Bus
If the 18 hours long non-stop journey seems a bit tiring then there are other options that you can consider for this journey. You can try contacting the local travel agents and see if they have a bus available on the route that does the journey in 2 days.
The best way however would be to do so yourself. There are daily buses and shared taxis available between Leh – Kargil, and Kargil – Srinagar. My suggestion would be that you catch an early morning bus from Leh towards Kargil and stay for the night there. The next day, catch the daily morning bus from the Kargil bus stand and arrive at Srinagar by evening.
Also Read: Guest Houses & Hotels on Srinagar Leh Highway.
The same routine you can follow by shared cabs as well. These start from the Leh bus stand itself. Board a shared cab from Leh to Kargil and then catch one from Kargil to Srinagar.
This way you would complete this journey in 2 days at a relaxed pace and not rushed through it all the way.
Conclusion
I hope the information above on Leh to Srinagar Bus service was of help. If you need any other information or have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum; and I will be glad to answer.
57 comments
Khan Saab,nimmu se srinagar ke liye shared cab hai kya,aur timing kya hai nimmu se aur kiraya kitna hai
Hi Mr. Vargis khan is there any option to reach srinagar from leh in the month of april . I am planing to go leh in april 2024.
Oct me bus open he kya bhai
Hello there, I wonder if you could clarify something for me please. I’m planning on using the bus from Leh to Srinagar and see that you recommend as you say “catch an early morning bus from Leh towards Kargil and stay for the night there. The next day, catch the daily morning bus from the Kargil bus stand and arrive at Srinagar by evening” This is what i’d prefer to do
Whats confusing me is that when i see the picture you posted for buses from LEh stand the only bus to Kargil appears to be the 2pm one which I assume is going straight through to Srinagar?
So theres definately a deparate morning bus from Leh to Kargil
In November first week bike routes are open or closed?We’ve planned for leh ladakh bike tour in 1st week of this November
We are travelling in the Month of October and will return till 23-24 th october
We are trying to come to chandighad or delhi to catch a train
Can u suggest a route to come by bus maybe to chandighad kr delhi
Yes U can take direct bus from delhi to leh via manali. It’s normal 2×2 bus isbt delhi to leh ., HRTC is providing a service..,,
ANUJ KUMAR BECK
Hello sir
Humlog Flight se Leh June me jane wale hain. Wapas bus se Leh se hum kargil ghumte huye srinagar aana chahte hain. Aap hume btaiye ki kaise Srinagar , kargil ghumte huye aayenge. Mail me jawab jarur deven.
Hlo mr VARGIS KHAN
CAN I TRAVEL BY BUS IN FEBRUARY MONTH IS THERE ANY BUSES ARE AVAILABLE TO GO LEH
Sir mera ticket ho gayi h leh jaane ki. 15 december ki. Mai by flight ja raha hoo. Par wapas by road aana chahta hoon. Jaisa aap bata rhe ho ki route band reta h to bus nai chalti. Kya mai by walk ja sakta hoo?koi restrictions h by walk travell krne ki liye?ya fir koi aur option available h kya jaise ap keh rhe zojila k las snowfall se route band rehta h. To mai zojila tak private taxi karke poch jau fir. Zojila cross karu by walk till kargil. Aisa kuch kar skta hoo to bataye. Nai to mujhe by flight he ana padega wapas☹️☹️ i want return by road☹️
Bhai kitna walk karoge? 500 kilometer paidal thode chaloge aur paidal bhi Zoji La paar nahi kar paoge agar koshish karo bhi toh. Koi choice nahi hai flight se hi aana padega vaapis bhi.
Hi Bhai,
Even though it’s not related to bus services, posting my query here.
I heard that bikes from Manali are not allowed for sight seeing in leh. Could you please advise on this.
On my first day in leh I’m planning to do local sight seeing like leh palace, Shanti stupa, hall of fame, stakna gompa, thiksay monastery, etc. Will that be possible with bike from Manali or should I take bike from leh for those too?
Also if you don’t mind could please share contact number of a good bike renters , 350cc RE, from Manali, for one side.
Sorry for asking too many questions in a single time. 🙂
Hi Aisha – Yes that is correct. Manali bike will not be allowed for sightseeing in Ladakh. For that, you will have to rent another motorcycle from Leh and leave your Manali bike parked at the hotel. If you rent one side bike from Manali, you will also pay additional 15k as transportation cost for not bringing the bike back.
Thanks bhai.
Some agents told me local sight seeing, places I mentioned above are possible with manali bike. I’ll probably reach leh afternoon. So I thought this local places will be covered with manali bike and next day can start with leh bike. Will that be not possible? I’m confused after your reply whether to take leh bike on the first day afternoon itself!
No, you cannot use a Manali Bike in Ladakh at all, not even in Leh City.
Hi Vargis,
Thanks for writing Blog. I will be travelling from Leh to Srinagar and looking for Safe travel and also within Budget.
I Need information on below things.
1. Is it fine if we Opt for Bus from Leh to Reach Srinagar. Is it safe and is it easy to get Seats in bus.
2. As the Taxi is costly, so how about opting for Bus and whether the Bus will Stop as Kargil or Not.
It would be really helpful, if you provide your suggestions on above.
Hi Ashutosh,
1. Yes to both questions.
2. You can board the bus but it stops at Kargil only for a short break.
Namaste Vargis bhai, How are you, Pl. inform me about Leh to Kargil Bus/Share Taxi in August 2019, I want to visit War Memorial at Kargil and stay there overnight. Next day I want to proceed Srinagar for my Pune flight at noon on 15th Aug. . How can I manage this route, How is weather condition, which is another place for visit enroute, I have sufficient time in hand to plan Leh Srinagar road Journry i:e 3 days. Pl. inform. Thanks.
hi,
Can u please guide us on what route to follow for return journey from leh to delhi via srinagar??
Also,the buses mentioned above in ur post ,does it have a stop at Kargil??
No it does not stop at Kargil, runs non=stop till Srinagar. From Srinagar, you will have to board a Bus for Jammu or Pathankot and then to Delhi. There is also a direct bus from Srinagar to Delhi.
Hello sir
Humlog Flight se Leh June me jane wale hain. Wapas bus se Leh se hum kargil ghumte huye srinagar aana chahte hain. Aap hume btaiye ki kaise Srinagar , kargil ghumte huye aayenge. Mail me jawab jarur deven.
Hi.
We 9 family members will reach in delhi by 15th sep 2019 at11 am.we want to go Leh via manali .and reach Leh on 17/18 sep 2019.After visit Leh we have planned to reach srinagar from 23 to 24 .one full day hault at srinagar on 25 th sep .next day to jammu on 26 sep 2019.please suggest me best and cheapest traveling option and travels also.we are first time to go Leh have no idea.pleaseeee
Are public transport available after june 12th?
Yes
On 31st may 2019 around 10PM, Any public transport to srinagar from Leh for one person. How Much time will it take to complete journey ? Please mention halts of This Route. Thanks in Advance ❤️
See this post
https://vargiskhan.com/log/srinagar-to-leh-bus-service-fare-schedule-book/
may 1st week 2019 there is bus from Srinagar to leh
No
then how we go leh now from Srinagar
1. Private vehicle
2. Rented bike
3. Private taxi
4. Shared taxi
Did u know when the bus service are started from Srinagar to leh
after May 15th
thanks Mr vsrgis keep it going on
Any bus from leh to srinagar after 10 Oct, and which route is better to ho Delhi from leh after 10 Oct.
Yes it will be available in October.
Dear Vargis,
Which would be a better and comfortable experience.
Driving Up from Srinagar to Leh or
Driving down from Leh to Srinagar.
I can either reach Srinagar on morning of 4th May 2019 and Hire a cab to Leh with halt in Kargil if the roads are Open.
Alternatively I can fly to Leh on 4th May and Drive back to Srinagar on 10th May
When are the roads planned to be opened.
Which option would you recommend.
We are family of 5
Thanks in advance for your suggestions
Hi Raj – Better would be to fly to Leh and drive to Srinagar. This way you can be sure that the road will definitely be open at the time of your travel.
Any bus from leh to srinagar or leh to delhi in november 2 plz reply
Sir, I am planning a trip with 2 friends in the second week of march.we intend to visit kargil and Srinagar. Also want to see snow. I would like to know where would I find snow near srinagar at that time. And what are the timings of buses from Srinagar to kargil. And how to do the booking. And how long does it take to reach kargil. Would the route remain open at that time of the month.
Hello,
My wife and I are planning our vacations this year, in November, in India.
We are from Mauritius and wish to do the following road trip :
1. Delhi to Shimla
2. Shimla to Manali
3. Manali to Leh
4. Leh to Srinagar
5. Srinagar to Delhi (by flight)
I needed some advise concerning road trips. This is our first visit to India and are looking forward for this vacation to be one of the best 🙂
We still have so many questions left unanswered:
1. Can we hire a car and rely on Google maps from Delhi-Shimla-Manali-Leh-Srinagar ?
2. Or would a taxi or coach be a better option compared to hiring a taxi ?
3. As to what I have seen, Leh to Srinagar is around 10hrs by car. Wouldn’t it be too much time spent on the roads?
4. Are these routes safe?
Thank you.
hi will travel to leh on july. but i want to hire a taxi from leh srinagar but stay 1 night in kargil.
1. do you know where i can hire a taxi in leh?
2. do i need to book it online or i can just walk in?
3. and the price taxi is around that price you mentioned above? there is possible if the taxi driver will charge me more than price that you mentioned above. thanks.
Hello – Please take to Nasir in Leh @ 9906229203. He runs his own taxi there. Give him a call and book him if he is available. If not then he can direct you to someone else who is good. Give my reference and he will quote you a reasonable price and will not charge more.
You want to hire a taxi from Leh to Srinagar? Correct? Or did you mean a taxi from Srinagar to Leh?
is it possible if i hire a taxi from leh to srinagar and do tour few days with same taxi in srinagar. below is my itinenary
day 1 : leh – kargil (stay in kargil)
day 2 : kargil – srinagar
day 3 : srinagar – pahalgam – and back to srinagar
day 4 : srinagar – gulmarg – return to srinagar
day 5 : early morning drop at srinagar airport.
if cannot, i will hire a taxi from leh to drop me at srinagar only.
Talk to Nasir and see if this can plan can work out.
Hi vargis,
As you have informed in your blog there is mv buses running from leh to Srinagar is it on daily basis? And does this buses run in September end??
Hi
We are 9 ppl . We are reaching Srinagar by flights and having night stay in Srinagar and start to Leh
1) can we get a vehicle after reaching Srinagar for a cheaper price or should I book it prior
2) should I book accomodation in Kargil or can I get cheaper accomodation after reaching Kargil
3) we are taking bikes in leh
And reach pangong. Can I rent tents in leh and camp some where near pangong
4) with the same tents can I camp somewhere near tso moriri
5) can I get a vehicle from Leh to Srinagar in the evening times. Which should reach Srinagar by next day morning.
1. By vehicle from Sriangar, you mean a taxi, motorcycle or public transport?
2. No need to book
3. Do not self camp at Pangong, stay at an existing camp site
4. At Tso Moriri you can but check with the locals before you pitch your tent. Do it near an existing dhaba or camp site
5. You can try for a shared cab but it would be tough.
Hi, sir
I have planing from leh to srinagar
I would like to know when is the best time and when srinagar-leh hightway is open and when is close because i want to booking my flight from srinagar to delhi.
Thank you sir❤️
Srinagar Leh highway will not open earlier than late April or early May this year.
1) tempo
2)it’s showing 2k per room in online
3)how to stay near pangong
4)are tents available there with the dhaba ppl there
Dear Mr.Vargiskhan,
Please let me know, are there any taxies oeprating from Leh to Srinagar and if hired and start in the morning, when can they reach srinagar. We are planning a trip to Leh by July end and intend to go to Srinagar on 1st of Agust. Pl reply
Yes there are taxis operation Mr. Murali and they cover the journey in approximately 16-18 hours, almost the same as the bus.
Hi bhai,
Thanks for your informative post.
I’m planning to go to srinagar from leh, and we were to take 2 pm bus on 12th August which will help us to reach srinagar by 13th 7.30 am, our package was scheduled as per this timing. But I came to know one of my friend recently traveled to srinagar that the above said busses are only on alternative days which worries me thinking whether they will be available on 12th August or not.
Could you help on this.
Hi Aisha – No, it is a daily Bus. See this post.
https://vargiskhan.com/log/leh-ladakh-bus-service-2019-latest-schedule/
Thanks a lot bhai. That’s a big relief now.
You are welcome !!!