How To Reach Dras

Also known as ‘The Gateway to Ladakh’, Dras is a quaint and picturesque village, located about 60 km from Kargil. It is situated on NH1 between Kargil and Zoji La Pass in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir on the way to Srinagar. A remote little town, Dras came under focus during the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. Dras is located at an altitude of 10,990 feet. To know how to reach Dras, read on in detail.

The closest airport to Dras is Shaikh ul-Alam Airport in Srinagar. Dras is about 103 km from the capital city of Jammu & Kashmir. From the airport, tourists can hire a cab or take a state operated bus to reach Dras. The Srinagar airport is well connected by flights with major cities of the country. Both private and public carriers operate regular flights in and out of the capital city.

Jammu Tawi Railway Station in Jammu in the nearest railhead to Dras. It is however 442 km away from the station. To reach the station, tourists have to first take a bus to Srinagar and from there a connecting bus to Jammu Tawi. Alternately, they can also hire a cab to reach the station.

Without a station or airport, Dras is accessible only by road. The National Highway 1 connects Dras to neighbouring important cities like Kargil, Leh and Srinagar. Delhi and some cities of Himachal Pradesh are also connected to Dras by buses and cabs. There are state buses operating regularly between Dras and these cities. Cabs too can be easily hired to reach the desired destination.

Despite its remote location and high altitude, Dras has a commendable network of local transport. Buses are easily available and considered the most popular mode of transport in the town. Tourists have the option of moving around for sightseeing in jeeps. Though more expensive, jeeps are a faster mode transportation. One can hire a personal jeep for self use or ride in a shared jeep for exploring the picturesque town.