The Gulmarg Gondola books entirely online through JKCCC, in two paid phases up to Apharwat Peak. Here is exactly how to book it, what it costs, and how winter ski passes are priced differently.
The Gulmarg Gondola runs in two phases from Gulmarg's meadow to Apharwat Peak, and gondola ride booking is handled entirely online by JKCCC. It operates in Gulmarg, about 50 km from Srinagar via Tangmarg, and climbs from the main meadow up to Kongdoori before continuing to the Apharwat ridge above roughly 3,900 to 4,000 metres.
Winter, December to February, brings deep snow and the heaviest demand for Phase 2 seats. Summer, May to June, brings green meadows and lingering snow patches at Apharwat, with a strong demand spike around mid-June. Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English are all used at the base station, the currency is the Indian Rupee, and the official portal accepts Indian cards and usually UPI as well.
JKCCC runs one official portal for Gulmarg gondola tickets, and booking through anyone else is not necessary.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Operator | Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) |
| Corporate site | JKCCC official website |
| Primary ticketing portal | JKCCC e-ticket portal |
JKCCC directs visitors to book online and avoid touts or unofficial agents working the base station.
Booking on the JKCCC portal takes six steps, from mobile OTP registration to downloading your e-ticket. You can book Phase 1 and Phase 2 in one transaction for your whole group.
Gulmarg gondola ride booking covers two paid phases plus an optional chairlift, each with its own altitude gain and price band.
| Segment | Route | Approx. altitude gain | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Gulmarg to Kongdoori | About 2,700 m up to 3,050-3,100 m | Sightseeing, snow play, beginner skiing |
| Phase 2 | Kongdoori to Apharwat | About 3,050 m up to 3,900-4,000+ m | Big mountain views, advanced skiing |
| Chairlift / Joy Ride | Kongdoori to Mary's Shoulder | Short rise | Panoramic ride, ski access |
Slot timings are grouped into two broad booking windows on the portal.
| Phase | Slots (typical) | Portal grouping |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 9 to 11 AM, 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM, 1:30 to 3:30 PM | Fore Noon (9:00 to 11:59 AM); After Noon (12:00 to 3:30 PM) |
| Phase 2 | 9 AM to 1 PM, 1 to 3:30 PM | Fore Noon / After Noon windows |
| Ticket type | Approx. price (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 return | 800 | Standard domestic fare in 2026 |
| Phase 2 return | 1,000 standard; 1,310 tatkal | Only sold to holders of a Phase 1 ticket |
| Chairlift / Joy Ride | About 300; trial joy ride about 600 | Optional add-on for views or ski access |
A standard Fore Noon return ticket covering both phases costs about Rs 1,800 per person including tax. This is the typical charge break-up shown on a domestic Fore Noon e-ticket covering Phase 1 and Phase 2, two-way, between Gulmarg and Apharwat.
| Charge type | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Base gondola fare (Phase 1 and 2, two-way) | 1,525 |
| Taxes / fees | 275 |
| Total ticket amount per person | 1,800 |
JKCCC releases a limited batch of next-day tatkal tickets, mainly as a backup for travelers who missed standard booking. Tatkal tickets typically go live around 5:00 PM for the following day, covering both Phase 1 and Phase 2, and the small allocation can sell out within minutes during ski season or the mid-June peak.
Tatkal fares run slightly higher than standard fares, roughly ₹1,100 for Phase 1 and ₹1,310 for Phase 2, so treat tatkal as insurance, not your main plan. If you already know your travel dates, book standard tickets the moment your dates are confirmed instead of waiting for tatkal.
Skiers and snowboarders buy separate lift passes at Gulmarg, priced apart from the standard sightseeing gondola tickets. These passes allow repeated ascents on Phase 1, Phase 2 or the chairlift instead of a single return ride. JKCCC updates these rates regularly, so always check the current price on the official portal before booking.
| Lift segment | Domestic (INR) | Foreign (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Gulmarg to Kongdoori | 800 | 800 | Single ascent to mid-station |
| Phase 2: Kongdoori to Apharwat | 550 | 550 | One ride to the ridge for ski runs |
| Chairlift: Apharwat to Mary's Shoulder | 300 to 400 | 300 | Access to specific ski lines |
Day passes suit skiers doing multiple laps in one session.
| Pass type | Domestic day pass (INR) | Foreign day pass (INR) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 day pass | 1,200 | 1,600 | Repeated mid-station laps |
| Phase 2 day pass | 1,500 | 2,500 | Multiple Apharwat descents |
| Chairlift day pass | 2,000 | 2,500 | Mary's Shoulder focused skiing |
Weekly and season passes are usually bundled into guided ski packages for longer stays.
| Pass type | Domestic (INR) | Foreign (INR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 weekly pass | 3,500 | 6,000 | Extended mid-station skiing |
| Phase 2 weekly pass | 7,500 | 10,000 | Multiple high-alpine ski days |
| Season pass (chairlift / all lifts) | 40,000 | 40,000 | Full-season access |
A non-skier can do Gulmarg's gondola as a single long day trip from Srinagar without an overnight stay. Leave Srinagar by taxi around 6:30 to 7:00 AM, and you should reach Gulmarg by 8:30 to 9:00 AM after the roughly 50 km drive via Tangmarg.
Use a Fore Noon combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 ticket to ride up to Kongdoori and then Apharwat, and give yourself the midday hours to explore the ridge and viewpoints before the afternoon crowds build. Descend in the early afternoon, walk the Gulmarg meadow while the light is still good, then start back to Srinagar so you are off the highway before dark.
If you would rather set your own pace on the drive to Gulmarg, our guide to self drive car rental in Srinagar covers what you need to rent and drive yourself instead of booking a taxi.
Book online rather than walking up on the day, especially in peak months, since Phase 2 tickets can sell out weeks ahead and walk-up queues have been known to run several hours. Choose Fore Noon slots when you can, for clearer skies before afternoon cloud builds and more buffer if the earlier phase queue runs long.
Altitude and weather change fast above Kongdoori, so carry a real winter layer even on a clear-looking morning at the Gulmarg base. Verify fares and any maintenance notices only on the official JKCCC portal, never through touts at the base station promising guaranteed tickets at inflated prices, and keep tatkal as your backup plan rather than your first choice.
On our own Kashmir Winter Group Trip departures, the queue at the Gulmarg base station typically runs 15 to 30 minutes during peak season, especially at the earlier slots when everyone is racing to beat the midday crowd. If Phase 2 closes for weather after you have already bought a ticket, JKCCC refunds that portion within about 7 days. It is a real inconvenience, but not a lost booking. Our standing advice to guests is to get to the base station as early as your slot allows, since the queue only builds through the morning.
Our Kashmir Winter Group Trip builds a Gulmarg day around exactly this kind of morning timing.