How to Reach Ladakh

Leh Ladakh is the ‘Land of High Passes’ home to some of the world’s highest motorable passes. It is among India’s most famous tourist destinations, and reaching Ladakh is relatively easy. This scenic region is well-connected to different parts of the country by various modes of transport. Nestled amidst the Karakoram and the Great Himalayas mountain ranges, Ladakh’s airport serves the region. The nearest significant towns from Ladakh are Srinagar and Manali, where tourists can reach this paradise. Here, you can get complete details regarding how to reach Ladakh by various modes. It is easily accessible from major cities of India via air, road, and rail services. Below are the details regarding how to go to Ladakh from various destinations.

How to reach Leh Ladakh by Air

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee is the closest airport to Leh Ladakh, serving the entire region. It is one of the highest airports, perched at an elevation of 3,256 m above sea level. Many flights operate to Kushok Bakula airport from major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jammu, and Srinagar. And the distance between Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport to Ladakh is around 8 km, which you can cover within 20 minutes.

If you are an international traveler and want to go to Leh Ladakh by air, then Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata will be the best option to catch a direct flight to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh Ladakh.

How to reach Leh Ladakh by Rail

Ladakh nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi. It is located at a distance of about 680 km from Leh, the capital city of the Ladakh region. Take a taxi or bus from Jammu, which will take 15 to 17 hours to get to Ladakh. The Jammu railway station is well-connected with the rest of the country by numerous trains traveling to Udhampur and Katra from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, and other major cities.

How to reach Leh Ladakh by Road

There are two main highways to reach Leh Ladakh by road. One is Manali – Leh highway, and the second is Srinagar – Leh Highway. The first approach is the Srinagar – Leh Highway, mostly open between July and November, covering a distance of 434 km. The second approach is Manali – Leh Highway, mostly open from mid-June to early October, covering around 473 km.

Manali to Leh by road

This is the shortest and the most scenic route to reach Leh. Numerous mountain passes from Manali to Leh offer breathtaking views of the surroundings. Rohtang Pass, Baralacha La Pass, Tanglang La Pass, Lachung La Pass, and Nakee La Pass are the mountain passes that you will cross on this route. This national highway remains open from June to October. The rest of the year, it remains closed due to heavy snowfall. Regular government buses and taxis plying from Manali to reach Leh are also easily accessible.

Srinagar to Leh by road

This route remains open throughout the year. However, the chances of road blockage are higher in winter due to heavy snowfall. You will cross high-altitude mountain passes, including Zoji La Pass and Fotu La Pass. From Srinagar, government buses ply regularly for Ladakh, and you can also hire a private taxi.

Getting Around in Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh is frequented by tourists from all over the country. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations among families, friends, solo travelers, honeymooners, and couples. You can easily travel within Ladakh due to its good transportation system. For the shortest distance to travel within Leh City, walking is advisable.

For faraway places such as Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Kargil, Drass, and others, you can hire a cab and taxi that are available in Leh. Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Main Market, and Tibetan Market are easily accessible on foot. Here we are mentioning some of the options for getting around in Ladakh. Check it out to enjoy the sightseeing in Leh Ladakh.

Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) Bus

The government-run JKSRTC buses have a great network in the Ladakh region, making it one of the best ways to visit nearby places of Leh and Srinagar, including Kargil, Drass, Zanskar, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri, Nubra Valley, and Nyoma. In fact, JKSRTC is also a popular mode of transport among budget travelers for going on a Ladakh trip.

With the state-run buses, tourists can choose to visit these popular destinations and delight in the breathtaking beauty of Ladakh. While booking Ladakh tour packages, tourists can add numerous tourist destinations to the itinerary that they wish to explore. However, it is advisable to check the timetable of buses in advance as in some places in Ladakh, and the service is limited.

Rent a Bike in Leh

Bike rentals in Leh Ladakh are very affordable, due to which this is also among the most popular modes of transport among adventure enthusiasts. Tourists can easily cover Manali to Leh distance and Srinagar to Leh distance on the bike. Thrill-seekers and nature lovers prefer Manali Ladakh bike tours and Srinagar Ladakh bike trips.

Different types of bikes are readily available at a minimal rent with which travelers can explore the tourist places nearby Ladakh, including Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri, Nubra Valley, Zanskar Valley, Kargil, Drass, Alchi, Lamayuru, and Hemis. They can cover Solang Valley, Sissu, Jispa, Sarchu, Chandratal, Suraj Taal, and Spiti Valley from Leh to Manali. You can visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill, Zoji La Pass, Sonamarg, and Fotu La Pass on the Leh Srinagar route.

Private and Shared Taxi in Leh Ladakh

Traveling around Ladakh is one of the most comfortable and convenient modes. Taxis are easily available in Leh and Kargil, the major towns of Ladakh. You can enjoy sightseeing tours in Ladakh on private and shared taxis. People can embark on a trip to Solang, Kasol, Manikaran, Tirthan Valley, Sainj Valley, Kullu Valley, and Leh Ladakh.

This is a fast mode of travel, which makes the Ladakh trip memorable. You can also board a shared taxi from Leh and Kargil to travel to Ladakh. This is another cheap traveling option in Ladakh, which is best for solo travelers and budget tourists.