Your stay — Sheikh ul Aalam hostel
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The Property — Sheikh ul Aalam hostel
Sheikh ul Aalam hostel in downtown Srinagar feels like a modest, no-fuss base for budget travellers who want to be near the old city, not the touristy Dal Lake strip. The lobby is a simple, tiled space with a reception desk and a few chairs; there’s no lake view or garden, but you walk straight into the lanes of the historic quarter. It suits backpackers, students, or pilgrims visiting the nearby Dargah of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (Nund Reshi). The USP is location: a 10-minute walk from the Jamia Masjid of Srinagar and the lively Nowhatta area.
Chronicles of Srinagar
Srinagar was founded in the 6th century BCE by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, but the current city took shape under the Mughals in the 16th and 17th centuries, who built the Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh gardens along Dal Lake. Its architecture blends Mughal garden pavilions with traditional Kashmiri wooden homes, carved balconies, and the iconic houseboats on the lake. After the Dogra rule and then the princely state‘s accession to India in 1947, the city became the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Today, it’s a mix of tourism-driven commerce, a strong Persian-influenced arts scene (pashmina, papier-mâché), and a layered political identity as a valley city at the centre of the Kashmir conflict.
Best Time to Visit
Full Srinagar guide →Best months
June to September: warm days (20-30°C), greenery, and the Dal Lake gardens in bloom; October for golden chinar leaves and fewer tourists.
Peak / festival surge
July-August: Indian summer holidays drive heavy domestic tourism; hotel prices in central Srinagar can double; the Tulip Festival in late March/April also spikes demand briefly.
Budget shoulder season
April-May: early spring with mild weather (10-25°C) and lower rates before the summer rush. September also offers good weather with thinner crowds.
Weather & packing
Srinagar in July can rain suddenly, even from a clear sky; pack a compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket. Rule: bring a mid-layer fleece or shawl for cool evenings, as temperatures often drop to 15°C after sunset.
Live City Briefing — Srinagar
- Road widening work near Lal Chowk and Zero Bridge may cause daytime delays; allow extra time for taxis or buses from the airport (Srinagar International Airport, 12 km).
- The new Jhelum Riverfront Promenade (Phase 1) opened in early 2026 along the river near the Sher Garhi Palace; pleasant to walk in the evenings.
- Dalgate-Rainawari road under repair until September 2026; access to the hostel from the east side may require a detour via Nowhatta.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Sheikh ul Aalam hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. These upper floors will be quieter and have better light, as the hotel is on a street in central Srinagar.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those facing the street – road noise from traffic and honking will be noticeable. Rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft can also pick up footfall and mechanical hum.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms at the rear or side of the building overlooking the neighbourhood or garden area, if any – but no significant water view (Dal Lake is not adjacent).
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4, provided they are not directly above any service area or kitchen.
🔊 Noise notes
Street traffic on the main road is the primary noise source. Morning prayer calls from nearby mosques will be audible at low volume – this is normal for Srinagar.
Insider tips
1) Check in early to request a top-floor rear room – these fill first. 2) If you arrive late, ask for a room away from the lift; the lobby drinks/canteen area can get loud in the evening.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Sheikh ul Aalam hostel
Free WiFi in common areas only, enough for messaging and browsing; login via generic password at reception.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only.
No digital newsstand; a single physical newspaper (Greater Kashmir) available in the common room.
Standard check-in from 12:00; early bag drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 14:00 for INR 300, subject to availability.
Free for guests before check-in and after check-out; limited space for non-guests.
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair accessible rooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is New Park on Boulevard Road, INR 100 per day; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; no incidental hold at check-in for this hostel tier.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist-bureau exchange counters which give poor rates.
Cards accepted in hotels and larger shops; cash needed for smaller eateries, markets, and transport.
Restaurants: 10% if no service charge; taxis: round up the fare; hotel staff: 100-200 INR for luggage/cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standard filter coffee at a basic cafe: around 50-80 INR.
Thali meal at a local eatery: 150-250 INR.
Simple main like dal makhani with naan: 200-300 INR.
Along Lal Chowk and Boulevard Road for kebabs, momos, and chai stalls.
Small kirana shops are common; big supermarket chains are rare.
Lal Chowk area street markets for affordable local wear.
Shared auto-rickshaw rides from 20-50 INR per person; from airport, take a prepaid taxi (approx 500-700 INR) or bus to city centre.
Eat at local dhabas for filling meals under 200 INR; haggle in markets but not in shops with fixed prices; walk or share auto-rickshaws for short trips.
Good to know — Srinagar
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.72 · INR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Srinagar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Sheikh ul Aalam hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Lal Chowk (city centre) → Hotel Mount Inn, Boulevard Road
💡 Check the meter is reset at the start – many drivers will quote INR 200 instead. If you're carrying luggage, ask for a 'six-seater' auto; standard ones are tight for bags.
Zero Bridge bus stop → Hotel Mount Inn, near Dal Gate
💡 These buses run along the Boulevard Road and stop right outside Dal Gate, a 3-min walk to the hotel. Have exact change because drivers rarely carry small notes. Avoid during peak hours (9am–11am, 4pm–6pm) when they get packed with college students.
Nehru Park ghat (south Dal Lake) → Hotel Mount Inn water gate (if you prefer lake access)
💡 This is the scenic workaround when road traffic clogs Boulevard Road. Note the hotel's water gate is only for drop-off, not check-in – you then walk 50 metres uphill to the main entrance. Carry a small bag; no wheeled suitcases allowed.
Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (SXR) → Hotel Mount Inn, Boulevard Road
💡 Book at the prepaid counter inside the arrivals hall before stepping out – street touts outside will quote triple. For a smoother ride, use the state-run JKTDC taxi counter; they charge fixed rates and drivers know the hotel's exact lane near Dal Lake.
About Srinagar
Wikipedia ↗
Srinagar is a city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is the largest city and summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an Indian-administered union territory. It lies in the Kashmir Valley along the banks of the Jhelum River, and the shores of Dal Lake ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Sheikh ul Aalam hostel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. These upper floors will be quieter and have better light, as the hotel is on a street in central Srinagar.
Which rooms should I avoid at Sheikh ul Aalam hostel?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those facing the street – road noise from traffic and honking will be noticeable. Rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft can also pick up footfall and mechanical hum.
Is Sheikh ul Aalam hostel noisy?
Street traffic on the main road is the primary noise source. Morning prayer calls from nearby mosques will be audible at low volume – this is normal for Srinagar.
Which rooms have the best views at Sheikh ul Aalam hostel?
Upper-floor rooms at the rear or side of the building overlooking the neighbourhood or garden area, if any – but no significant water view (Dal Lake is not adjacent).
What are insider tips for staying at Sheikh ul Aalam hostel?
1) Check in early to request a top-floor rear room – these fill first. 2) If you arrive late, ask for a room away from the lift; the lobby drinks/canteen area can get loud in the evening.
What time is check-in at Sheikh ul Aalam hostel?
Check-in at Sheikh ul Aalam hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Sheikh ul Aalam hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in common areas only, enough for messaging and browsing; login via generic password at reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Sheikh ul Aalam hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Sheikh ul Aalam hostel?
Thali meal at a local eatery: 150-250 INR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Sheikh ul Aalam hostel?
Shared auto-rickshaw rides from 20-50 INR per person; from airport, take a prepaid taxi (approx 500-700 INR) or bus to city centre.
When is the best time to visit Srinagar?
June to September: warm days (20-30°C), greenery, and the Dal Lake gardens in bloom; October for golden chinar leaves and fewer tourists.
Top Attractions in Srinagar
💡 Walk from Nehru Park ghat to the floating market area (near Zero Bridge) around 6pm for golden-hour light and fewer touts.
💡 Avoid Friday prayers (12-2pm) when it's packed; weekday mornings are best. Cover head and remove shoes before entering courtyard.
💡 Visit just before sunset; the light on the lake is spectacular and security lets you stay until dusk.
💡 Take a picnic and sit on the grass behind the third terrace for the best photo angle without the crowds.
💡 Go early morning (7-8am) to beat crowds and find a quiet spot by the central water channel.