Srinagar → Leh
Srinagar to Leh
The legendary 418 km trans-Himalayan NH1 highway connects the green Kashmir Valley to the high-altitude moonscapes of Ladakh.
Modes compared
2
Fastest
2 days (overnight in Kargil)
Verified
31 August 2026
Operated by
Our own Srinagar office
The short answer
2-day road trip via Kargil (May–October) for stunning landscapes; 45-minute flight year-round.
Driving Srinagar to Leh is 418 km and requires a 2-day journey with an overnight halt in Kargil (204 km from Srinagar). The road crosses Zoji La (3,528 m), Drass (second coldest inhabited place), and Fotu La (4,108 m). Flights take just 45 minutes from Srinagar (SXR) to Leh (IXL).
Side by side
Srinagar to Leh, compared.
| Mode | Time | Cost | Right for |
|---|---|---|---|
| By road (NH1 Road Trip) | 2 days (overnight in Kargil) | ₹18,000 – ₹25,000 private SUV | The ultimate Himalayan road journey with gradual acclimatization. |
| By air | 45 minutes direct | ₹3,500 – ₹7,500 | Fastest hop across the Great Himalayan Range. |
By road (NH1 Road Trip)
Srinagar to Leh by road (nh1 road trip)
Day 1: Srinagar to Kargil (204 km, 6–7h) via Sonmarg, Zoji La, and Drass War Memorial.
Day 2: Kargil to Leh (214 km, 5–6h) via Mulbekh Maitreya, Namika La, Fotu La, Lamayuru, Magnetic Hill, and Sangam.
| Distance | 418 km |
|---|---|
| High passes | Zoji La (3,528 m), Namika La (3,700 m), Fotu La (4,108 m) |
| Night halt | Kargil |
| Season | May through October |
By air
Srinagar to Leh by air
Direct flights operate between Srinagar (SXR) and Leh (IXL) with aerial views of Nun-Kun and Himalayan peaks.
| Flight time | 45 minutes |
|---|---|
| Airports | Sheikh ul-Alam (SXR) ↔ Kushok Bakula (IXL) |
Questions
Srinagar to Leh, answered.
When does the Srinagar-Leh highway open?
The highway generally opens by late April or early May and remains open until late October or early November.
Where should we stop overnight between Srinagar and Leh?
Kargil (204 km from Srinagar) is the standard and most comfortable overnight midpoint.
Is the Srinagar-Leh route better than Manali-Leh for altitude sickness?
Yes! The Srinagar route ascends much more gradually than the Manali route, making it significantly better for altitude acclimatization.
Do we need permits to drive from Srinagar to Leh on NH1?
No special permits are needed for the main NH1 highway itself; permits are only needed for internal Ladakh areas like Nubra and Pangong.
Plan the whole trip
We do not sell tickets. We run everything after them.
Book the rail leg yourself through IRCTC — there is no markup to pay us for that. Send us the arrival time and we will build the itinerary around it.
Firdous Cinema Bus Stop, NH-1D, Hawal, Srinagar — 4.8★ from 604 Google reviews.