The pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is one of the most important pilgrimages in India. This sacred temple is nestled in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu and Kashmir and can be reached from Katra via a 13km trek on horseback, by battery vehicle, or on foot. But they also have another alternative, which is more comfortable and super fast: the official helicopter service. So if you are travelling with elderly members, children, or are on a tight schedule, here’s a complete guide on how to visit Vaishnodevi by helicopter. Check it out!
Vaishno Devi By Helicopter Service
The helicopter services for the Vaishno Devi Yatra are strictly operated by the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB). Hence, the bookings take place either on the official website of this board or on their mobile application named “Mata Vaishnodevi.”
The Katra to Sanjichhat helicopter service helps you cut the travel time of trekking 13 km uphill (Jammu & Kashmir). It cuts down the travel time from 5 to 8 hours on foot by 8 minutes! This will save your time and also reduce physical exertion. Note that the remaining 2.5 km journey from Sanjichhat Helipad to the Holy Bhawan has to be completed on foot or by pony or palquin. This will take about 30 to 45 minutes.
Helicopter Booking For Vaishno Devi
Bookings are made available to devotees about 60 days in advance and are closed two days before. The advance booking begins on the first of every month at 10:00 AM sharp for booking helicopter services for the upcoming month (60 days). For eg. On 1st September, the bookings for Katra to Sanjichhat helicopter service for the complete month of November (31 days) begin.
Note that the high-demand dates like Navratri sell out within minutes, so plan accordingly.
If you have online tickets, make sure that you report directly at the verification counter at Sanjichhat and Serli Katra. Make sure you reach an hour before the travel time which is mentioned in your booking receipt. You need to bring a copy of the ticket with you in either hard or soft form.
The volunteers at the verification counter will cross-check the ID and name of the passenger as printed on the ticket. The tickets that are verified at the Ticket Verification Counter will be considered valid. These passengers can then proceed to secure boarding passes. They will get these passes at the respective counter at the helipad terminal in Katra or Sanjchhat, as per the scheduled time.
Also Read: Vaishno Devi Yatra Registration 2026: How To Register Online, Latest Updates & Travel Guide
Vaishno Devi Helicopter Ticket
Infants under 2 years of age can fly free on an adult’s lap. Children above 2 years will require a dedicated seat and hence will be charged the full ticket fare.
The following categories of devotees will be facilitated to obtain tickets under the reserved quota. 10 helicopter seats per day remain reserved for such devotees. One attendant will be allowed to sit with such pilgrims if required or requested by them. This includes:
Senior citizens not less than 65 years of age.
Differently abled pilgrims (visually impaired and permanent locomotor disability)
Weak pilgrims (medical history of cancer, surgery, partial paralysis, limb replacement, etc., possessing medical documents)
Online ticket cancellations, which will be processed through the official portal, will incur a charge. About 50% of the amount will be counted as a cancellation charge if it is done outside the cutoff period.
The current Vaishno Devi Helicopter fare is INR 2,209 for a single trip. But the revised Vaishno Devi helicopter fare is INR 2,320. This is inclusive of 5% GST and will be applicable from October 16, 2026.
Also Read: Planning Vaishno Devi Yatra During Navratri 2026? Here’s How To Visit The Shrine
Step-By-Step Vaishno Devi Helicopter Service Booking
Visit the official website of the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) portal.
Now register a user profile. You can do this by using a valid mobile number or email ID.
Log in promptly at the mentioned time. (10:00 AM IST)
Provide all the necessary details such as name, Age, Gender, and Photo ID proof.
After filling in all the details, make sure you check them all once. Your given information must match your government ID.
Now complete the transaction using UPI, net banking, credit card, or debit card.
Download and print the e-ticket.
Offline Booking Service
If you happen to miss the online tickets, you can also book your tickets offline. These are limited current-day tickets that are available in Katra only. To book offline tickets, visit the Helicopter Booking Center at the Niharika Complex in Katra. Make sure you queue early in the morning with hard copies of identity proofs. These tickets are made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Also Read: Bengaluru’s First-ever Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Unveiled
Note: This list was compiled after verifying current publicly available business information.
Summing Up
If you are planning to visit the sacred Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, make sure that you check out the helicopter service option. This service helps pilgrims of all age groups and physical capabilities to get a comfortable darshan and seek blessings.
