Pahalgam is 96 km southeast of Srinagar, the main city in the Kashmir Valley. The route runs via Anantnag on the NH44 — a 2.5 to 3-hour drive in normal traffic, though the road is frequently slowed by pilgrimage convoys in summer.
From Srinagar, shared taxis and private cabs run regularly to Pahalgam. Shared taxis depart from the Lal Chowk area and are the budget option; private cabs are faster and more flexible. No direct bus from Srinagar airport to Pahalgam exists; you will need to reach central Srinagar first.
The nearest airport is Srinagar (SXR), with frequent domestic connections to Delhi, Mumbai, and other Indian cities. Overland from Delhi to Srinagar is possible but takes 15–20 hours by road; the Jammu-Srinagar highway is subject to closures due to weather and security conditions, particularly in winter.