If you’re starting your yatra from Aurangabad and want the quickest, least-hassle way to reach Mata Rani’s darbar, then the helicopter ride from Katra to Sanjichhat is honestly the smartest call. The foot trek is beautiful, no doubt, but many families from Maharashtra — especially those travelling with parents, kids, or simply short on time — prefer the chopper.
And since you’re from Aurangabad, the first thing you need is a clear route map to reach the Katra Helipad at Searli, near Searli Check Post (our base location). So let me break it down properly.
Where to Book Your Vaishno Devi Helicopter Ticket (Official Partner Page)
You can directly book your Katra to Sanjichhat / Sanjichhat to Katra helicopter tickets on our official page:
https://maavaishnodevihelicopterbooking.org/katra-to-vaishno-devi-helicopter-booking.html
This section is used by yatris across India — including Maharashtra — because it’s simple, safe, and we provide quick support on WhatsApp when needed.
Once your ticket is booked, your only job is to reach Katra Helipad (Searli Helipad) on time.
Now let’s talk about the actual journey from Aurangabad.
I’ve seen so many travellers from Maharashtra get confused about where exactly to get down or which airport or station to aim for. So I’ll break it down in the most practical, step-by-step way.
There are no direct flights, but you’ll easily find 1-stop flights via Mumbai (BOM) or Delhi (DEL).
Common route options:
Distance: ~50 km
Travel time: 1.5–2 hours
You can take:
Honestly, for families, a prepaid cab is the cleanest option.
For many Aurangabad pilgrims, train + helicopter is the ideal mix of comfort and budget.
Here’s your exact route.
Aurangabad doesn’t have direct trains to Katra or Jammu.
So your best route is:
Aurangabad (AWB) → New Delhi (NDLS/HNZM)
Common trains:
This is where most people go wrong — they stop at Jammu Tawi and then struggle with taxis.
But Aurangabad yatris should target SVDK Station directly, because it's the last and closest station.
Good train options from Delhi:
Travel time Delhi → Katra: Around 10–11 hours.
Distance: 3.5–4 km
Time: 10–12 minutes by auto or cab
Autos are available right outside the station 24×7.
Not the most comfortable option unless you love long drives, but still doable.
Aurangabad → Nashik → Indore → Kota → Jaipur → Delhi → Jammu → Katra
Distance: Nearly 1,900 km
Time: 32–36 hours of actual driving
Only recommended if you're travelling in a large family car or planning stopovers.
If you prefer mixed travel:
But honestly, flights or direct Delhi trains are way more sensible.
Once you reach Searli Helipad, the process is straightforward:
People usually take 25–35 minutes to reach the Bhawan from Sanjichhat depending on pace and weather.
For full details on ticket cost, timings, FAQs, check these pages too:
If you’re travelling from Aurangabad, the cleanest path — without unnecessary confusion — is:
Aurangabad Airport → Delhi/Mumbai → Jammu Airport → Taxi to Katra Helipad → Helicopter to Sanjichhat → Darshan
I’ve seen thousands of yatris choose this over the years because it balances time, comfort, and cost pretty well.