You must visit Kashmir at least once in your lifetime and to do this you can fly into Srinagar or Jammu. Jammu is the better in terms of transportation facilities since it is also connected by rail and road to other cities in India. All roads leading to Kashmir lead to Jammu. Before you go on to the scenic valley of Kashmir you can explore Jammu and its neighboring areas.
Railways
Jammu is a major railhead for Kashmir with its Jammu Tawi station connected to major cities of India. Take a day off to explore the many temples for which Jammu is famous notable of them being the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort and the Mahamaya Temple. Raghunath Temple is equally popular and is famed for the gold sheets lining the inner walls. Pilgrims going on to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi temple arrive in Jammu by train and take in the Shiv Khori Cave and Gauri Kund as well.
Air
Jammu is connected by air to Delhi, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bangalore and offers a quick way to get into J&K to explore its scenic beauties. You can get local taxis and buses to travel the 7 km distance to the city.
Road Travel
Jammu lies alongside National Highway 1a. You can get buses from Delhi, Chandigarh, and other important cities of India to take you to Jammu from where you can transfer to state transport buses to go on to Poonch, Kathua, Katra, or Udhampur. Several private cabs and taxis are available in the city for local sightseeing and short tours to nearby tourist spots. JKSRTC also operates city buses and minibusses on defined routes and this is the cheapest way to get around provided you do not have much luggage to hamper your movement. Another popular and cheap mode of transportation is the auto-rickshaw to be found on virtually every street corner. They will take you short or long distances but it is better to negotiate the fare beforehand to avoid getting ripped off. The advantage of auto rickshaws is that they will go into narrow lanes and give you a chance to explore the secret nooks and corners of the city, getting you there quicker than you can travel on foot. Just for the fun of it try an open-cycle rickshaw. This is a slow but fun way to travel around the city.
For longer distances outside the city, you will find private taxis to be a safe and comfortable option provided you negotiate the fare and detail your travel plans precisely to avoid unpleasantness with the drivers. It is better to hire taxis from the Special Tourist Taxi Association or the Tourist Reception Centers at the airport or the railway station. They will take you to Mansar Lake, to Patnitop or Sanasar.
For local sightseeing, private cars are a good if expensive option. You can always travel on foot and explore more when you visit the Amar Mahal Palace Museum and the Mubarak Mandi Palace, sampling local tea, snacks, and food at roadside stalls or buying a souvenir from a shop in the bazaars.
