Vaishno Devi Helicopter Advance Booking: 60 Day Window and Peak Day Tips
You can book the Vaishno Devi helicopter in advance on the Shrine Board portal, up to about 60 days before your travel date. For Navratri, school holidays, New Year and weekends, seats can go within hours. This page explains the advance booking window, when to book for your date and how to prepare.
Helicopter Advance Booking: Quick Answer
Advance booking for the Vaishno Devi helicopter opens about 60 days before your travel date on the Shrine Board portal and mobile app. To book for a date, count back 60 days and be ready on that day. For example, a 31 December 2026 journey opens for booking around 1 November 2026.
Some other Shrine Board services, such as aarti and battery car, are reported to close a few days before travel, so do not leave any booking to the last week. For a fixed trip, the safest approach is to book on the first day your date opens, with passenger details and payment ready.
How Far in Advance Can You Book?
| Earliest booking | About 60 days before your travel date |
|---|---|
| Where | Shrine Board portal (online.maavaishnodevi.org) or official mobile app |
| Best time to book | The first day your travel date opens |
| Last minute | Katra helicopter counter, only if seats are left |
| Ticket | One way or return. Children aged 2 years and above need a seat |
Booking Dates for Popular Travel Days
Calculated by counting back 60 days. Confirm the opening date on the portal.
| Travel date | Booking opens about | Why book early |
|---|---|---|
| 25 December 2026 | 26 October 2026 | Christmas holidays |
| 31 December 2026 | 1 November 2026 | New Year crowd, high demand |
| 14 January 2027 | 15 November 2026 | Makar Sankranti and winter holidays |
| 26 January 2027 | 27 November 2026 | Long weekend pilgrims |
The 1 November 2026 fare is the revision reported by the media after the Shrine Board announcement. Please check the final fare on the official portal at the time of booking.
Advance Booking Countdown (Itinerary)
A simple plan from fixing your date to boarding.
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| 75 to 65 days before | Fix your date, group size and one backup date |
| 64 to 61 days before | Create your portal account, verify mobile and email, save passenger names exactly as on the photo ID |
| 60 days before | Log in and book the helicopter as soon as your date opens |
| After booking | Download the e-ticket, then book hotel, train or flight around your slot |
| 30 days before | Book your hotel and transfers if not done |
| 7 days before | Check weather, ticket details and original photo IDs |
| Travel day | Reach the helipad at least one hour early |
Peak Day Strategy
- Be ready before the date opens. Keep passenger names, ID details and your payment method ready.
- Book on the first day. Seats for peak dates can be gone quickly.
- Keep a backup date. Have a nearby weekday date in mind.
- Do not overpay for a promised seat. Shrine Board has not authorised private travel agents for helicopter, aarti or accommodation bookings. Book only on the official website or the official mobile app.
- Do not book non-refundable trains or flights first. Confirm the helicopter slot, then book travel around it.
After Advance Booking: What Next?
- Match your timings. Choose your hotel and transfers to reach the helipad one hour before departure.
- Plan darshan time. Keep enough hours between the to and return flights for the walk, the queue and the walk back.
- Keep a weather buffer. Flights can be delayed or cancelled, so avoid tight onward travel.
- Check the fare. The fare changes from 1 November 2026, so look at the amount on the payment page.
Read Vaishno Devi helicopter booking for the step-by-step booking process and availability for what to do if seats are full.
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Plan Your Trip Around Your Booking
After you book the helicopter, we plan the rest of the yatra around your slot: Katra hotel, AC cab, yatra registration help and a day-wise plan.
Vaishno Devi Tour Package by Helicopter
3 days 2 nights with return helicopter ticket.
From ₹12,500 per person
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Start from Delhi and skip most of the climb.
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FAQs: Vaishno Devi Helicopter Advance Booking
How many days in advance can I book the Vaishno Devi helicopter?
Online booking opens about 60 days before the travel date on the Shrine Board portal and app.
When should I book for Navratri or New Year?
Book on the first day your date opens, because peak dates fill up fast.
How do I find when booking opens for my date?
Count back 60 days from your travel date. For example, 31 December 2026 opens around 1 November 2026.
Can I book the helicopter on the day of travel?
You can try the helicopter counter at Katra for unsold seats. It is not guaranteed.
Can I book for a group in advance?
Yes. Enter all passengers with photo ID details. If seats for the whole group are not available together, try another slot or split the group.
Can I change my date after booking?
Rules for changes and cancellation are set by the Shrine Board and shown on the portal. Read them before paying.
Is advance booking cheaper?
No. The fare is fixed by the Shrine Board. Booking early only improves your chance of getting a seat.
Does the fare change from 1 November 2026?
The fare is reported to rise from ₹2,320 to ₹2,700 one way and from ₹4,640 to ₹5,400 return from 1 November 2026. Confirm on the portal.
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Itineraries, prices, guidelines and darshan information.
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Vaishno Devi Helicopter Package from Your City
Choose your city to see the package with helicopter.
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Planning a peak date trip?
Share your date, group size and budget. We will tell you when to book and plan the hotel, cab and yatra around it.