Vaishno Devi helicopter booking
Katra to Sanjichhat in about eight minutes. Ticket prices before and after 1 November 2026, how Shrine Board booking works, and the rules at the helipad.
- One way, to 31 Oct
- ₹2,320
- One way, from 1 Nov
- ₹2,700
- Flight
- About 8 min
- Booking
- Shrine Board only
How the Vaishno Devi helicopter works
The Katra to Sanjichhat helicopter costs ₹2,320 one way and ₹4,640 return per person until 31 October 2026. From 1 November 2026 the Shrine Board fare rises to ₹2,700 one way and ₹5,400 return. Book on the Shrine Board's official portal or at the Katra helipad counter; the fare is the same at both.
The shuttle lifts pilgrims from Katra to Sanjichhat, cutting most of the climb to the Bhawan. From Sanjichhat it is about 2.5 km to the shrine.
The Shrine Board runs the service centrally. Global Vectra has flown the route since 2010 and, like the other operators, sends buyers to the Shrine Board rather than selling tickets itself.
On 21 May 2026 a new helipad opened at Hutt village in Katra, built to DGCA norms with a terminal, ticketing and refund counters and a hangar. Operations from the old Serli helipad are moving there.
There is no private landing at Sanjichhat. What Altivo Jets arranges is the journey to Katra: a private jet or helicopter to Jammu, then about 50 km by road.
Sources:NewsX, 4 Sep 2026: Vaishno Devi helicopter fare from 1 NovemberShri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, official siteGlobal Vectra Helicorp: helicopter pilgrimagesThe Statesman, May 2026: new Shri Mata Vaishno Devi helipadDiscover with Dheeraj: Vaishno Devi helicopter rules and refunds
Vaishno Devi helicopter fare, then and now
- One way per person
- ₹2,100
- Return per person
- ₹4,200
- Notes
- Under a three-year contract
- One way per person
- ₹2,320
- Return per person
- ₹4,640
- Notes
- Includes GST, per booking guides
- One way per person
- ₹2,700
- Return per person
- ₹5,400
- Notes
- Announced by the Shrine Board; GST treatment not stated
Online and counter fares are the same.
Sources:News On AIR, Oct 2023: Vaishno Devi helicopter fare revisionDiscover with Dheeraj: Vaishno Devi helicopter rules and refundsNewsX, 4 Sep 2026: Vaishno Devi helicopter fare from 1 November
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
How to book the Vaishno Devi helicopter
Booking guides report a limit of 5 tickets per card per month. The Shrine Board releases quotas for its online services on a fixed schedule; for example, the December 2026 quota opened on 1 October at 10 AM.
- 01Use the Shrine Board portal
Book at online.maavaishnodevi.org from 10 AM, up to 60 days ahead and at least 4 days before travel.
- 02Or the Katra counter
Current tickets are sold at the Katra helipad on showing the free Yatra Parchi and photo ID for every passenger.
- 03Weigh in and fly
Each passenger may carry one bag of up to 5 kg. Passengers are weighed against a total load limit.
Sources:Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, official siteDiscover with Dheeraj: Vaishno Devi helicopter rules and refunds
Weight, children, cancellations and refunds
These rules come from detailed booking guides; confirm them on the Shrine Board portal before you travel.
- One hand bag of up to 5 kg per passenger.
- Load is capped at 480 kg on a 6-seat helicopter and 540 kg on a 7-seat one; everyone is weighed.
- Children under 2 fly free on a lap; from age 2 the full fare applies.
- Cancel online at least 4 days before travel for a 70% refund.
- If the flight is cancelled for weather or technical reasons, the refund is 100%.
- Refund claims must be made within 30 days.
- Flights run roughly every 20 minutes from about 8 AM to 5 PM, depending on season and weather.
Sources:Discover with Dheeraj: Vaishno Devi helicopter rules and refundsShri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, official site
When the helicopter has stopped
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Service suspended for about 7 days during the India-Pakistan standoff; resumed on 14 May |
| 26 August to 17 September 2025 | Whole yatra suspended for 22 days after a cloudburst landslide at Adhkuwari that killed 34 people |
| 11 October 2026 | Helicopters paused for the day by bad weather on the first day of Navratri |
The service runs daily, subject to weather. Check the Shrine Board site on the morning you fly.
Sources:Tribune, May 2025: Vaishno Devi helicopter service resumes after 7 daysNews On AIR, Sep 2025: Vaishno Devi Yatra resumes after 22 daysNorthlines, Oct 2026: Navratri rush, helicopters paused for weather
Reaching Katra, and the rest of the climb
About 50 km by road, 70 to 80 minutes by taxi. Jammu airport is the nearest for a private jet or helicopter.
In June 2024 the Shrine Board started a 20-minute helicopter from Jammu airport to Panchhi helipad: ₹35,000 same-day with darshan and ropeway, ₹60,000 with a night's stay, minimum four passengers. Check whether it runs before planning on it.
A ropeway opened in 2018 replaces an hour's walk with a 3-minute ride, and runs 9 AM to 5 PM.
Sources:Shrine Board: how to reach KatraNews On AIR, Jun 2024: Jammu to Vaishno Devi via Panchhi helipadKashmir Life, 2018: Bhawan to Bhairon ropeway opensShri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, official site
Aircraft for the trip to Jammu
For the leg to Jammu, a light jet or turboprop from Delhi suits most families; larger groups take a midsize jet.
Operators
Helicopter operators on the Katra route. Tickets are still sold only by the Shrine Board.
Katra to Sanjichhat since 2010
Listed by booking guides as a Katra operator
Sources:Global Vectra Helicorp: helicopter pilgrimagesDiscover with Dheeraj: Vaishno Devi helicopter rules and refunds
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistHow do I book a helicopter for Vaishno Devi?+
On the Shrine Board's official portal, online.maavaishnodevi.org, from 10 AM up to 60 days ahead, or at the Katra helipad counter with your Yatra Parchi and photo ID.
Vaishno Devi helicopter ka kiraya kitna hai?+
₹2,320 one way and ₹4,640 return per person until 31 October 2026, and ₹2,700 one way and ₹5,400 return from 1 November 2026.
Is the helicopter service open at Vaishno Devi?+
Yes, daily, subject to weather. It was paused for weather on 11 October 2026 and was suspended for three weeks in August and September 2025 after a landslide.
Which helicopter company is best for Vaishno Devi?+
You cannot choose. The Shrine Board manages the service centrally and allots flights; Global Vectra is one of the operators.
How do I cancel a Vaishno Devi helicopter ticket?+
Online, at least 4 days before travel, for a 70% refund. Flights cancelled for weather or technical reasons are refunded in full.
How far is Sanjichhat from the Bhawan?+
About 2.5 km, a 45 to 60 minute walk, with ponies and palkis available.
Can I buy Vaishno Devi helicopter tickets from an agent?+
No. Only the Shrine Board sells them, online and at the Katra counter.
Can Altivo Jets fly me privately to Vaishno Devi?+
We can fly you privately to Jammu and arrange the road transfer to Katra. Private helicopters cannot land at Sanjichhat.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 13 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.NewsX, 4 Sep 2026: Vaishno Devi helicopter fare from 1 November
- 2.Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, official site
- 3.Global Vectra Helicorp: helicopter pilgrimages
- 4.The Statesman, May 2026: new Shri Mata Vaishno Devi helipad
- 5.Discover with Dheeraj: Vaishno Devi helicopter rules and refunds
- 6.News On AIR, Oct 2023: Vaishno Devi helicopter fare revision
- 7.Tribune, May 2025: Vaishno Devi helicopter service resumes after 7 days
- 8.News On AIR, Sep 2025: Vaishno Devi Yatra resumes after 22 days
- 9.Northlines, Oct 2026: Navratri rush, helicopters paused for weather
- 10.Shrine Board: how to reach Katra
- 11.News On AIR, Jun 2024: Jammu to Vaishno Devi via Panchhi helipad
- 12.Kashmir Life, 2018: Bhawan to Bhairon ropeway opens
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