Many visitors going on a tour to Srinagar choose a quick garden trip for their first day. The Mughal Gardens is one of the most frequent taxi tours that are taken by people on tours to Srinagar. These gardens are among those that were constructed by Mughal rulers during the Mughal period. Tourists often take a trip of Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashme Shahi at once. Thus, in order to help travelers budget properly before arriving in Srinagar, knowing the price for this tour, helps a lot. The taxi prices varies from car type to traveling time to the number of gardens visited but, the distance traveled is quite small hence the overall tour remains within the price bracket for families and couples to afford.
This write up is about the taxi fares for Mughal Gardens tour in Srinagar. We are providing you with information on the tour routes, travel time and possible tour plans and we have also included errors made by tourists while hiring taxis in Srinagar.
What are included in a Mughal Gardens taxi tour?
A Mughal gardens taxi tour is considered as a short trip as it covers famous Mughal gardens built along the eastern slopes of Dal Lake. Mostly the tourists are staying in a hotel or a house boat along this tour route hence the commute between the hotel/houseboat and gardens remains short. Normally the three famous Mughal gardens are covered, which lie close to one another. Since the travel distance between the gardens is short, this entire tour is generally completed within three to four hours. Most taxi drivers offer scenic stops along Dal Lake so you can take a quick photograph during the drive.
Places normally visited in this tour are: Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi, Pari Mahal viewpoint and Boulevard road of Dal Lake. Some taxi packages may include a short stop at the Botanical Garden or Tulip Garden in season.
Which Mughal Gardens do the taxi cover?
The taxi tour covers three famous Mughal Gardens constructed during the reign of Mughal rulers in Srinagar. They all lie close to one another at the base of the Zabarwan range near Dal Lake hence they can be visited in a taxi ride in the same trip.
- Nishat Bagh- Situated 11km away from the city center Lal Chowk, this garden was commissioned by Asaf Khan the brother of Nur Jahan in 1633. It has 12 terraces symbolizing the 12 zodiac signs and is decorated with flowery beds and fountains with clear mountain streams cascading through the center, which has great view of Dal Lake.
- Shalimar Bagh- The second garden is about 15km away from the Srinagar city center. It was constructed by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in the year 1619 for his beloved wife Nur Jahan. This is a Persian- style garden and is famous for its cascading fountains and central water channel flowing through it.
- Chashme Shahi- Situated about 9km from Lal Chowk, this is the smallest Mughal garden and is known for its pure natural spring water from the Zabarwan hills, which is believed to be beneficial by many travelers and locals.
Taxi fare for Mughal Gardens tour in Srinagar
Taxi fares for the Mughal Gardens tour can vary with the car type, but given the short distance it is almost in a fix range for this local sightseeing trip in Srinagar. The following chart provides the approximate taxi charges in Srinagar for visiting the Mughal Gardens with various car types:
| Car Type | Seating Capacity | Approximate fare | Trip Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchback | 3 people | 1500- 1800 | 3-4 hours |
| Sedan | 4 people | 1800- 2200 | 3-4 hours |
| SUV (Innova / Ertiga) | 6 people | 2500- 3200 | 4 hours |
| Tempo Traveller | 10-12 people | 4500- 6000 | 4 hours |
These prices could be slightly different for peak tourist seasons. April, May and October are considered as peak tourist seasons hence demand for taxis rise significantly which in turn can increase the prices. It is wise to book a taxi a day earlier to get favorable prices.
How long does the Mughal gardens taxi tour takes?
A Mughal Gardens tour usually takes between 3-4 hours to complete. This is due to the fact that the gardens are very close to each other, thus limiting the time taken between them. The time spent at each garden also counts to make up for the time spent on this whole tour. Below are the average time visitors spends at each garden:
| Location | Average Visit Time |
|---|---|
| Nishat Bagh | 45–60 minutes |
| Shalimar Bagh | 40–50 minutes |
| Chashme Shahi | 30 minutes |
| Photo stops | 20 minutes |
A complete Mughal Gardens tour can be concluded within half a day.
Best route for the Mughal gardens taxi tour
The local drivers generally have a fixed sightseeing route along the Boulevard road that can save you time. The usual route is:
Hotel / Houseboat -> Boulevard road -> Chashme Shahi -> Nishat Bagh -> Shalimar Bagh -> Dal Lake viewpoint -> back to hotel.
However the order can be adjusted based on the flow of traffic on the Boulevard road, and traffic tends to get really busy post noon. Hence, early morning trips tend to finish up faster.
When is the best time to visit the Mughal gardens in Srinagar?
All gardens are open from early morning until late in the evening however the best times to visit are Spring and Early Summers which bloom during these seasons and gardens look very attractive. The best time to visit the Mughal Gardens would be during: • March • April • May • September • October April turns out to be the busiest and the most popular tourist month due to the Tulip Garden which lies close by and thus you need to expect increased taxi demand. Traveling in the morning between 9 AM and 12 PM makes your trip worthwhile due to reduced crowds and also the temperature which is favorable.
Mughal Gardens taxi tour itinerary (half day plan)
The Mughal Gardens tour is most commonly taken on the first day itself by travelers visiting Srinagar as it only takes half a day to complete the tour and then they can dedicate rest of the day for leisure or other plans. Sample Itinerary
9:00 AM: Taxi picks up from your hotel or houseboat.
9:20 AM: Visit to Chashme Shahi
10:00 AM: Visit to Nishat Bagh
11:15 AM: Visit to Shalimar Bagh
12:15 PM: Short photo stop along Dal Lake
1:00 PM: Taxi drops you off at your hotel/ houseboat.
What are the entry fees to the Mughal Gardens?
Entry tickets are to be purchased individually for all three gardens separately as they are government sites and administered by the tourism department. Below are approximate ticket prices:
| Garden | Indian Visitors | Foreign Visitors |
|---|---|---|
| Nishat Bagh | ₹30 | ₹100 |
| Shalimar Bagh | ₹30 | ₹100 |
| Chashme Shahi | ₹25 | ₹100 |
Children entry fee can be less. Prices might vary slightly based on government policy.
How to get the best taxi fare in Srinagar?
Most of the time tourists pay a bit extra than required because they hire a taxi last minute. Given that most things need to be planned at advance, booking a taxi for this trip for the day is considered as a part of tour planning. Hiring the taxi at least one day before the tour is recommended, it is always best to make sure that you ask whether the waiting charges are inclusive or not and the driver explains the itinerary in details, confirming all points and the final price. Also choose your cab type based on your group size. For families of 3 people an Innova might be an overkill which can drive up the cost when a small car would suffice. Always check the cab condition from the outside and inside.
Common mistakes tourists make when booking a Mughal Gardens taxi?
Not understanding how the pricing works in the city. One of the most common mistakes tourists make is to just agree to a price without getting clarity on everything that is included in the package and the entire itinerary. It is best to choose an authorized taxi operator from the tourist authority, not just some random driver from street, that way you avoid overpaying. Also try and inquire about any hidden charges that might appear out of no where. Be clear on how many points or gardens the taxi will visit. Always reconfirm final price and route on phone the night before or the morning before your trip.
Why book Mughal gardens taxi through KashmirTaxi.in?
KashmirTaxi.in provides professional, reliable and trusted services to all tourists seekinglocal sight seeing taxis in Srinagar, be it to all the famous Mughal gardens and beyond.Our experienced drivers are familiar with all the famous tour routes and provide excellent guidance during tours to the famous Mughal Gardens in Srinagar hence avoiding unnecessary time delays and getting the complete value of money.
What’s included when booking your taxi through KashmirTaxi.in for the Mughal Gardens tour? Fixed sightseeing taxi fare. Experienced and professional local drivers. Fully insured and clean vehicles. On time pickup and drop off facility. Highly customizable tour routes.
Mughal Gardens Taxi Fare FAQ (Srinagar Garden Tour Guide)
What is the taxi fare for Mughal Gardens tour in Srinagar?
Which gardens are included in the Mughal Gardens taxi tour?
How long does the Mughal Gardens taxi tour take?
What is the distance between Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh?
Is Dal Lake included in the Mughal Gardens taxi route?
What is the entry fee for Mughal Gardens?
Can Tulip Garden be added to this tour?
What is the best time to visit Mughal Gardens?
Do taxi drivers wait during the sightseeing tour?
Is the Mughal Gardens taxi tour good for families?
How far are Mughal Gardens from Srinagar city?
Can I book a half day taxi for Mughal Gardens?
Which vehicle is best for Mughal Gardens tour?
Are taxi fares fixed for Mughal Gardens route?
Where can I book a trusted taxi for Mughal Gardens tour?
Also read: One Day Srinagar Taxi Package, Online Cab Services in Srinagar, Srinagar Taxi for Honeymoon Couple
