Maharana Rana Pratap Singh was the first to explore in 1898 the possibility of connecting Jammu with Srinagar by a railway route. But the idea did not succeed. The Jammu- Udhampur and the Srinagar-Banhil lines were completed in April 2005. Pirpanjal railway tunnel was completed and tested in 2012. The Jammu-Srinagar rail link was inaugurated in 2014 The Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla railway link now connects the Katra Railway Station to rest of the country through Northern Railway network. All passengers have to carry photo ID proof with all type of tickets. The permitted photo ID proofs include voter ID card, passport, PAN, driving license, ID card issued by any government, student ID card, and Adhaar card.
Direct Train to Katra –
The Katra-Udhampur section is part of an ambitious 326km Udhampur-Katra-Quazigund- Srinagar-Baramulla railway line. It will allow uninterrupted rail traffic from Jammu to Katra via Udhampur. The 25.6-km Udhampur-Katra line will cost Rs.1,132 crore to build. As many as 13 trains pass through the Katra Railway Station at present.
Passenger Amenities at Katra –
The Katra Railway Station has facilities of escalators, lifts, second class booking, current reservation, train inquiry section, VIP lounge, tourist assistance, multi-cuisine restaurant and fully air-conditioned hotel with a shopping lounge, cloakroom, book stall, waiting hall, tea stall, catering area and toilet blocks. The first floor has a cafeteria and eight retiring rooms. There is a parking place for cars and passenger buses.
Restaurants near Katra Station –
Katra does not have too many restaurants nearby. There are roadside eating stalls and small and simple eateries. The restaurants include Manoranjan Dhabha, Cafe Coffee Day outlet and Jewel.
The Food at Katra –
Most eateries along the route to the Vaishno Devi shrine offer rajma-rice, puri-bhaaji and chhole-bhature. Many restaurants serve Kashmiri and Continental cuisine. Kashmir loves meat and Rogan Josh, a lamb-based dish, cooked in gravy, is one of the top favourites. Yakhni is mild, yoghurt-blended mutton gravy.
Trains Passing through Katra Railway Station –
| Train No. | Train Name | Arr. Time | Dep. Time |
| 18205 | Durg -Nautanwa Express(DURG-NTV) | 16:20 | 16:25 |
| 18206 | Nautanwa Gorakhpur Durg Express(NTV-DURG) | 14:00 | 14:05 |