Srinagar to Leh Road Distance: 420 km · 10-12 hours (2-day recommended) · Cab from ₹4,620
Srinagar → Sonamarg → Zoji La Pass → Drass → Kargil → Leh
Hairpins, tea stops and a driver who has done this climb a hundred times.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
420km
Drive time
10hrs
Since 2015 · 4.9★
Pay after trip · No hidden charges · 10,000+ happy travellers
Driving Srinagar to Leh: what this corridor is like
Hill-trained drivers
Every driver on this corridor has logged the climb in all four seasons and carries chains from December to February.
Start before sunrise
Leaving by 5 AM clears the plains before traffic and puts you on the ghat section in daylight, which is the whole point of a road trip here.
Permits and stops handled
Rohtang, Atal Tunnel timings, Kufri parking, Kempty falls — the driver knows which need a permit and which are worth the detour.
How far is Leh from Srinagar?
The distance from Srinagar to Leh is 420 km by road via NH-1D via Kargil, and the drive takes about 10-12 hours (2-day recommended). A one-way AC cab starts from ₹4,620 (sedan), with SUV and Tempo Traveller options also available. Toll and state tax are charged extra at actual.
By Road
420 km
Drive Time
10-12 hours (2-day recommended)
Cab From
₹4,620
Fuel (self-drive)
₹3,000
Srinagar to Leh distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 420 km (261 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 10-12 hours (2-day recommended)
- Best route / highway
- NH-1D via Kargil
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹4,620 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹6,300 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹7,560 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹9,660 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹3,000 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Srinagar to Leh: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 420 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 10-12 hours (2-day recommended)
- Cost
- From ₹4,620
- Comfort
- Door-to-door, private, flexible stops
- Best For
- Families, groups, comfort
Train
- Travel Time
- 11-14 hrs
- Cost
- Budget (subject to availability)
- Comfort
- Fixed timing, station-to-station
- Best For
- Solo budget travellers
Bus
- Travel Time
- 11-15 hrs
- Cost
- Most economical
- Comfort
- Shared, fixed stops
- Best For
- Backpackers, low budget
Flight
- Travel Time
- 1-1.5 hrs + transfers
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest but airport transfers needed
- Best For
- Long distances, time-critical
For Srinagar to Leh, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Srinagar to Leh cab fare
Fuel and driver included · Tolls and taxes extra
Sedan
Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 Seater
Ertiga SUV
Maruti Ertiga · 6 Seater
Innova Crysta
Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 Seater
Tempo Traveller
12-Seater AC · 12 Seater
* Toll & state tax extra at actual. Fares based on 420 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
June to October only. Road closed in winter.
Local insider tip
Stay overnight at Kargil to break the journey. Visit Kargil War Memorial. Magnetic Hill near Leh is fascinating.
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Srinagar to Leh FAQs
What is the distance from Srinagar to Leh by road?
The road distance from Srinagar to Leh is approximately 420 km via NH-1D via Kargil. By air the straight-line distance is shorter, but 420 km is the actual driving distance you cover by car, cab or bus.
How long does it take to drive from Srinagar to Leh?
The drive from Srinagar to Leh takes approximately 10-12 hours (2-day recommended) via NH-1D via Kargil in normal traffic. Starting early morning (5-6 AM) helps you avoid city congestion and reduces total travel time.
How much does a cab from Srinagar to Leh cost?
A cab from Srinagar to Leh starts at ₹4,620 for an AC sedan (Swift Dzire/Etios). An Ertiga SUV starts at ₹6,300, an Innova Crysta at ₹7,560, and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller from ₹9,660. Outstation trips are billed on a 300 km per day minimum. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
What is the cab fare for an SUV or Innova from Srinagar to Leh?
An Ertiga SUV from Srinagar to Leh starts at ₹6,300 and an Innova Crysta at ₹7,560 for the 420 km trip. The published rates are ₹15/km for Ertiga and ₹18/km for Innova, with the outstation minimum applied. Ertiga seats 6 passengers and Innova seats 7; both are options for families and hill or rough-road sections.
What is the best route from Srinagar to Leh?
The recommended and fastest route from Srinagar to Leh is via NH-1D via Kargil. Popular stops en route include Sonamarg, Zoji La Pass, Drass, Kargil. Our drivers know all alternative routes and pick the optimal path based on live traffic, road work and weather.
How much toll do you pay from Srinagar to Leh?
Toll charges from Srinagar to Leh depend on the highway plazas on NH-1D via Kargil and are paid at actual via FASTag. The driver handles all toll payments and they are added transparently to your final bill — there are no hidden charges.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Srinagar to Leh?
If you self-drive, expect roughly ₹3,000 in petrol/diesel one-way for Srinagar to Leh (based on about 14 km/l). Booking a Triveni cab includes fuel in the fare, so you only pay toll and state tax extra.
Can I reach Leh from Srinagar by train, bus or flight?
Yes — Srinagar to Leh is connected by road (10-12 hours (2-day recommended) by cab), and most major routes also have trains and state/private buses. A private cab is the most flexible option with door-to-door pickup, no fixed timing and freedom to stop en route.
What is the best time to travel from Srinagar to Leh?
June to October only. Road closed in winter. For the smoothest drive, start early in the day to avoid traffic and reach Leh with daylight to spare.
What are the best stops en route from Srinagar to Leh?
Popular stops en route include Sonamarg, Zoji La Pass, Drass, Kargil. These make convenient halts for food, fuel, restrooms and photos, breaking up the 420 km journey comfortably.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Srinagar to Leh?
If you only need a single drop, a one-way cab from Srinagar to Leh is cheaper because you do not pay for the return run. Choose a round trip when you want the same car and driver to wait and bring you back — it works out economical for same-day return.
What vehicles are available for Srinagar to Leh, and is night travel safe?
Triveni Cabs™ offers AC Sedan, SUV (Innova/Ertiga) and 12-seater Tempo Traveller for Srinagar to Leh, all GPS-tracked with verified drivers. Daytime travel is recommended, but our experienced drivers handle night drives on the NH-1D via Kargil safely too.
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