Kedarnath Helicopter Fare from Sersi, Phata, Guptkashi

Facts checked November 2026.

Many families, especially those with elders, choose the helicopter for the last stretch to Kedarnath. The fare depends on which helipad you fly from, and it can change from one season to the next. This guide sets out the 2026 fares, how they compare with 2025, the IRCTC rules for children and luggage weight, and how to stay safe from fake booking sites.

This page is part of our Kedarnath Yatra Guide. Planning the yatra? See our Kedarnath yatra packages.

What is the Kedarnath helicopter fare from each helipad?

The regular helicopter shuttle to Kedarnath flies from three helipads in the Kedar valley: Guptkashi, Phata and Sersi (also written Sirsi). Here are the 2026 fares as reported in April 2026:

The one-way figures come from ETV Bharat and Patrika (1 April 2026), which said GST and the portal’s convenience or service charges are extra. The two-way figures come from ETV Bharat (2 April 2026), which said they include GST; News24 (11 April 2026) reported the same amounts. All fares are per person. In 2026 Sersi was the cheapest of the three and Guptkashi the costliest.

How did the 2026 fares compare with 2025?

Fares moved a lot over the last two seasons:

• Start of 2025: ETV Bharat reported two-way fares of ₹6,061 from Sersi, ₹6,063 from Phata and ₹8,533 from Guptkashi when booking opened in April 2025.
• Later in 2025: In the second phase of the 2025 yatra, sorties were cut by about 30 percent for safety and fares rose by 40–50 percent, as Garhwal Post and ETV Bharat reported. The revised two-way fares were ₹12,444 from Guptkashi, ₹8,842 from Phata and ₹8,839 from Sersi.
• 2026: After a fresh operator tender, ETV Bharat reported that the Guptkashi fare went up by ₹318, the Phata fare went up by ₹1,322, and the Sersi fare came down by ₹2,449, compared with the revised 2025 fares.

So a fare you saw on an old website or video may be out of date. Always check the current fare on the IRCTC HeliYatra site before you plan your budget.

For how the shuttle kept running in the last days of the 2026 season, after charter flights stopped, read our update on Kedarnath shuttle helicopters in the final week.

Who sets the fare and where can you book?

The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) chooses the helicopter operators through a tender. In February 2026, ETV Bharat reported that UCADA had started a fresh tender for Kedarnath services because the earlier contracts had ended in 2025. Eight operators were chosen for 2026: two at Guptkashi, four at Phata and two at Sersi.

The IRCTC HeliYatra website (heliyatra.irctc.co.in) states that it is the only website that sells helicopter tickets online for Kedarnath. Its main rules are:

• Char Dham yatra registration is compulsory before you can book a helicopter ticket. See our Kedarnath registration guide.
• One user ID can book up to 2 tickets, and each ticket can carry up to 6 passengers, so one ID covers up to 12 people.
• Bookings open in phases. In 2026, News24 reported that the first window opened on 11 April for travel from 22 April to 11 May.

Seats go fast. In October 2026, UNI reported that IRCTC seats for 16 October to 9 November were sold out within hours of the booking window opening. For a step-by-step walkthrough, read our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide.

Do children pay the full helicopter fare?

The IRCTC general instructions say:

• Infants under 2 years fly free but do not get a seat.
• Children aged 2 and above pay the full adult fare and get their own seat.
• Each sortie allows a maximum of 2 children and 2 infants.
• Infants need a birth certificate or Aadhaar as ID. Every passenger must carry original ID proof.

Is there a weight limit or extra charge?

Yes. IRCTC says each passenger is weighed on their own, and an infant’s weight is added to the adult carrying them. Above 80 kg, there is a charge of ₹150 for each extra kg. Weight cannot be shared with other passengers, and a passenger who does not pay the charge may not be allowed to board. We did not find a separate baggage allowance on the IRCTC pages, so travel light and ask the operator before you fly.

Is the fare higher if you book late?

The IRCTC instructions describe dynamic pricing under UCADA policy, subject to availability:

We could not confirm from news reports how often these surcharges were applied in 2026, so treat this as the rule written on the IRCTC site and book early where you can.

What should you carry on flight day?

IRCTC asks passengers to reach the helipad at least one hour before the booked slot, and advises reaching the entry point two hours early for check-in and security. Carry the full ticket and original ID for everyone, including children and infants. Screenshots or partial printouts of the ticket are not accepted. Flights depend on weather, so keep some spare time in your plan. Our Kedarnath weather and best time guide can help you choose your dates.

Is there a helicopter from Dehradun to Kedarnath?

In 2026, a direct helicopter service from the Jolly Grant helipad in Dehradun to Kedarnath and Badrinath ran from 30 April to 13 June, according to Deccan Chronicle. It did not restart after the monsoon because of a technical fault, and UNI reported in October 2026 that direct Dehradun flights were stopped for the rest of the season. UCADA officials said it may return in 2027. No official fare for this service was published in the reports we checked.

How can you avoid fake helicopter booking sites?

Fake websites, social media pages and WhatsApp numbers offering Kedarnath helicopter tickets are a known problem. In April 2026, the Uttarakhand STF took down 180 fake social media links, got 10 suspicious websites deactivated and sent 52 mobile numbers for blocking. In May 2026, the Rudraprayag SP said action had been taken against about 550 online entities, including pages, websites, WhatsApp numbers and bank accounts. Book only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in, and do not pay anyone who promises a “confirmed” seat outside it. Rudraprayag police said some complaints came in through the NCRP portal, the government’s online cybercrime reporting site.

How Yatra To Temples can help

A helicopter ticket covers only the flight. You still need road travel to Guptkashi, Phata or Sersi, a night stay nearby, yatra registration and a plan for the weather. We plan Kedarnath yatras around these, at a pace that suits elders. See our Kedarnath yatra packages, or talk to us on +91 78178 98687 (call or WhatsApp) or at shiva@yatratotemples.in.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest helicopter to Kedarnath?

In 2026, Sersi (Sirsi) had the lowest fare, at ₹6,390 per person for a return journey including GST. Phata was ₹10,164 and Guptkashi was ₹12,762.

Is GST included in the Kedarnath helicopter fare?

The one-way fares announced in April 2026 (₹3,043, ₹4,840 and ₹6,077) did not include GST and portal charges. The two-way fares (₹6,390, ₹10,164 and ₹12,762) included GST, according to ETV Bharat.

Where can I book a Kedarnath helicopter ticket?

Only on the IRCTC HeliYatra website, heliyatra.irctc.co.in. You need your Char Dham yatra registration first, and one user ID can book up to 2 tickets of up to 6 passengers each.

Do infants need a ticket?

Infants under 2 years fly free without a seat, but they need ID (birth certificate or Aadhaar). Children aged 2 and above pay the full adult fare.

What is the 2027 Kedarnath helicopter fare?

It has not been announced yet. Fares are announced before each season, so check the IRCTC site and our Kedarnath opening and closing date page closer to the time.

Is there an extra charge for heavy passengers?

Yes. IRCTC charges ₹150 for each kg above 80 kg per passenger, and an infant’s weight counts with the adult carrying them.