Short answer: Book the Gulmarg Gondola only on the official JKCCC portal, etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com. Domestic fares on that portal have been ₹800 for Phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdoori) and ₹1,000 for Phase 2 (Kongdoori to Apharwat), so ₹1,800 for both, when checked in late 2026. Boarding starts at 8:30 AM for Phase 1 and 9:15 AM for Phase 2. If tickets are sold out, use online Tatkal the evening before, or the on-cabin Tatkal counter at the base from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays only. It closes on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month (next: 23 November, then 14 and 28 December 2026).
Watch our Instagram: Gulmarg Gondola Tatkal window update (5 Nov 2026)
This guide answers the questions people search about the Gondola: ticket price, online booking, Tatkal, timings, Monday closures, what Phase 1 and Phase 2 are like in winter, kids tickets, ride time, and what to do if it is sold out or closed for weather. For a full Gulmarg day without a ticket, see things to do in Gulmarg without the Gondola. For snow and weather at the top only, see our Phase 2 snow and weather guide.
Gulmarg Gondola at a glance (checked 9 Nov 2026)
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | Two-stage cable car run by the Jammu & Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) |
| Phase 1 | Gulmarg base to Kongdoori (about 3,050 m). Ride about 10 minutes |
| Phase 2 | Kongdoori to near Apharwat Peak (about 3,980 m). Ride about 12 minutes. You board Phase 2 only at Kongdoori |
| Ticket price (domestic, late 2026) | Phase 1 ₹800, Phase 2 ₹1,000, both ₹1,800 per person. Confirm on the portal when you book |
| Kids | Under 3 ride free (carry age proof). From age 3, full fare |
| Where to book | Only etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com |
| How far ahead | Up to 120 days, JKCCC said in October 2026 |
| Boarding | Phase 1 from 8:30 AM, Phase 2 from 9:15 AM. Gate entry closes 3:30 PM; last return about 5 PM |
| Online Tatkal | Next-day tickets, with Tatkal charges. JKCCC launched the system with a 5 PM daily release (18 Dec 2024) |
| On-cabin Tatkal | Base station counter, 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, not Sat/Sun, if you have no online booking |
| Closed Mondays | 2nd and 4th Monday each month for maintenance |
| ID | Original photo ID in the same name as the ticket; carry the e-ticket on your phone |
Gulmarg Gondola ticket price 2026-27 (Phase 1 and Phase 2)
Direct answer: Budget ₹800 for Phase 1 and ₹1,000 for Phase 2 per person (₹1,800 for both). Those are the domestic fares travel guides saw on the official JKCCC portal for autumn and winter 2026 dates, and the same figures we used in our 18 October 2026 reel. JKCCC can change fares, and the live price shows only after you log in, so always confirm on the portal for your date.
| Ticket | Route | Domestic fare (late 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Gulmarg ↔ Kongdoori | ₹800 per person |
| Phase 2 | Kongdoori ↔ Apharwat | ₹1,000 per person |
| Both phases | Gulmarg to Apharwat via Kongdoori | ₹1,800 per person |
| Children under 3 | Either phase | Free (carry age proof) |
| Children 3 and above | Either phase | Full fare |
| Tatkal | Same routes | Costs more than a normal ticket. Check the portal; we do not quote an unverified premium |
Do not trust random Google pages that still show ₹370 / ₹480 or ₹700 / ₹900. Many never update. If someone at Tangmarg or on WhatsApp asks for a personal UPI for a "confirmed" seat, walk away. Our Kashmir tourist scams guide covers that.
How to book Gulmarg Gondola tickets online
Direct answer: Open etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com, log in with your mobile number and OTP, pick the date and slot, add every passenger's name exactly as on their photo ID, pay, and save the e-ticket PDF plus a screenshot.
- Type the address yourself. Older links still rank on Google. JKCCC's home page points to this portal and tells visitors not to fall prey to touts.
- Log in with mobile number + captcha + OTP. There is no separate password.
- Under normal ticket booking, choose your date and check availability. Book Phase 1 and Phase 2 together if you want both.
- Slots are usually forenoon (morning) and afternoon. Prefer the morning slot in winter: clearer skies, and Phase 2 is less likely to stop for wind.
- Pay by UPI or card. If payment hangs, the seat can go to someone else.
- Save the e-ticket. Mobile data at the base is patchy, and JKCCC asks visitors to carry the e-copy on their phone.
Online booking is available up to 120 days in advance, JKCCC said in an October 2026 notice. For Christmas, New Year and the January snow weeks, book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Gulmarg Gondola Tatkal tickets: online 5 PM and on-cabin 8:30 AM
Direct answer: Two official backups. Online Tatkal for the next day (JKCCC launched it on 18 December 2024 with a 5 PM release and Tatkal charges). On-cabin Tatkal at the Gulmarg base station from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, except Saturdays and Sundays, for people with no online booking.
Option 1: online Tatkal for tomorrow
When JKCCC started online Tatkal, the corporation said tickets would be released every day at 5:00 PM for the following day and issued against Tatkal charges, to curb black marketing. Some booking guides this autumn say the portal's Tatkal tab now shows a longer window, so log in the afternoon before, open Tatkal, and see what it shows for your date. Have every name ready and pay at once.
Option 2: on-cabin Tatkal at the base (8:30 to 10 AM)
JKCCC's current notice says on-cabin Tatkal tickets are sold at the base station from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, except on Saturdays and Sundays. Our 5 November reel calls it the 8 to 10 AM window; go by the official 8:30 AM start.
- Be at the base early. Coming up from Srinagar, the Tangmarg chain check and snow on the last stretch can eat your morning. If you need the counter, sleep in Gulmarg the night before. Our Tangmarg and Gulmarg stay guide explains the trade-off.
- Weekends do not work for on-cabin Tatkal. If your only Gulmarg day is Saturday or Sunday, book online in advance or use online Tatkal the evening before.
We cannot tell you how many on-cabin seats there are on a given morning. In peak snow weeks the waiting hall fills fast.
Gulmarg Gondola timings
Direct answer: Boarding for Phase 1 starts at 8:30 AM and for Phase 2 at 9:15 AM (JKCCC boarding advisory). Gate entry for boarding closes at 3:30 PM. Last return is about 5:00 PM. Go by the time slot printed on your ticket.
| Item | Time |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 boarding from | 8:30 AM |
| Phase 2 boarding from | 9:15 AM |
| Typical forenoon slot | Morning until about 11:59 AM |
| Typical afternoon slot | About 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM |
| Boarding / gate entry closes | 3:30 PM |
| Last return | About 5:00 PM |
Closed on the 2nd and 4th Monday
Direct answer: The Gondola stays closed on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month for preventive maintenance. Today, 9 November 2026, is one of them. Next dates this winter:
| Month | Gondola closed (Mondays) |
|---|---|
| November 2026 | 9 and 23 November |
| December 2026 | 14 and 28 December |
| January 2027 | 11 and 25 January |
| February 2027 | 8 and 22 February |
| March 2027 | 8 and 22 March |
JKCCC can add closures after heavy snow, wind or inspections. Check the notice on jammukashmircablecar.com the day before.
Phase 1 (Kongdoori) vs Phase 2 (Apharwat) in winter
Direct answer: Phase 1 is the shorter, lower ride to Kongdoori: meadow, tea stalls, easier for kids and older parents. Phase 2 continues to near Apharwat Peak for deep snow and ski slopes, but it stops more often for wind and weather. You can only board Phase 2 at Kongdoori, so you need a Phase 1 ticket first (or both in one booking).
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Route | Gulmarg to Kongdoori | Kongdoori to Apharwat |
| Height (about) | 3,050 m | 3,980 m |
| Ride time | About 10 minutes | About 12 minutes |
| In winter | Snowy meadow, food stalls, walks | Snowfields, ski slopes, biggest views |
| Weather stoppages | Less common | Common, especially afternoon wind |
| Best for | Families, seniors, first-timers | Snow lovers on a clear morning |
For snow-today and height questions (GSC's biggest Phase 2 searches), use our Phase 2 experience guide. Our 18 October reel also warns that Phase 2 can close in bad weather.
How long does the Gulmarg Gondola take?
Direct answer: Each cabin ride is about 10 minutes (Phase 1) and about 12 minutes (Phase 2). Plan 3 to 4 hours for both phases with queues, photos and tea at Kongdoori. In peak snow weeks, queues can add more.
Kids, age and who should skip Phase 2
Direct answer: Children under 3 ride free; from age 3 they need a full-fare ticket. Carry age proof. Phase 1 suits almost everyone. Phase 2 jumps toward 4,000 m quickly, so young children, elderly travellers and anyone with heart or breathing problems should think carefully and often stop at Kongdoori.
Sold out, closed for weather, or no ticket: what to do
- Sold out online: try online Tatkal the evening before, or on-cabin Tatkal on a weekday morning. Or shift Gulmarg by a day.
- Weather / wind: Phase 2 stops far more often than Phase 1. Check JKCCC notices and @gulmarggondola_official the morning you go. Keep a spare Gulmarg day in the trip.
- Maintenance Monday: do not plan Gondola for the 2nd or 4th Monday.
- No ticket at all: Gulmarg is still worth the drive for the meadow, snow walks and views. See things to do without the Gondola.
What we do as your agency: we do not sell Gondola tickets. We tell you which day and slot is realistic, time the car so you reach the base early, and keep a backup plan. The ticket is always yours, bought on the official site.
FAQ
What is the Gulmarg Gondola ticket price for Phase 1 and Phase 2?
Domestic fares seen on the official portal in late 2026: ₹800 for Phase 1, ₹1,000 for Phase 2, ₹1,800 for both. Confirm the live fare when you book.
How do I book Gulmarg Gondola tickets online?
Only on etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com. Log in with mobile OTP, pick date and slot, enter names matching photo ID, pay, and save the e-ticket.
What time does Gulmarg Gondola Tatkal booking open?
Online Tatkal was launched with a 5 PM daily release for the next day. On-cabin Tatkal at the base runs from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays only.
Can I buy a Gulmarg Gondola ticket at the counter?
Only the on-cabin Tatkal ticket, 8:30 to 10 AM, not on Saturdays or Sundays. Everything else is online.
What are Gulmarg Gondola timings?
Phase 1 boarding from 8:30 AM, Phase 2 from 9:15 AM. Boarding closes 3:30 PM; last return about 5 PM.
Is the Gulmarg Gondola open on Mondays?
Most Mondays yes. It closes on the 2nd and 4th Monday for maintenance (for example 23 November, 14 and 28 December 2026).
Is there snow in Gulmarg Phase 2?
Often yes in winter, but it changes day to day and Phase 2 can close for wind. See our Phase 2 snow and weather guide for how to check on the day.
How long is the Gulmarg Gondola ride?
About 10 minutes for Phase 1 and about 12 minutes for Phase 2. Plan 3 to 4 hours for both with queues.
Do children need a Gondola ticket?
Under 3 free with age proof. From age 3, full fare. Prefer Phase 1 for very young kids.
Can foreigners use Tatkal?
JKCCC set up a separate process for foreign tourists in 2024, with agencies sending passport details by email two days ahead. Ask us before you plan around it.
Plan your Gulmarg day with us
Tell us your dates and we will tell you whether to book now, try Tatkal, or sleep in Gulmarg for the 8:30 AM counter. Our Kashmir winter packages and Gulmarg stays are built around an early Gondola morning. WhatsApp us on +91 70060 85655, call +91 70060 85655 or +91 95960 44418, or email enquiry@traveletioskashmir.com. We are a J&K Tourism registered agency (JKEA00005366) at Pantha Chowk, Srinagar, rated 5.0★ from 155 Google reviews.
