Kathmandu Transportation - Get to & around Kathmandu

By Road - Drive to Kathmandu from Tibet

There are 6 ports that you can drive overland from India to Nepal, namely: Kakarbhitta-Jhapa, Birgunj-Parsa, Sonauli-Bhairahawa, Jamunaha-Nepalgunj, Mohana-Dhangadi, and Gaddachaudki (BANBASA)-Mahendranagar. If you want to go to Kathmandu, you can travel from Sonauli (India) to Bhairahawa in Belahiya (Nepal). Buses are available all day. Then you need to drive another 9 hours Kathmandu. This transportation is more chosen by Indians or tourists who plan to travel to Kathmandu from India at a slow pace.

By Road - Drive to Kathmandu from India

There are 6 ports that you can drive overland from India to Nepal, namely: Kakarbhitta-Jhapa, Birgunj-Parsa, Sonauli-Bhairahawa, Jamunaha-Nepalgunj, Mohana-Dhangadi, and Gaddachaudki (BANBASA)-Mahendranagar. If you want to go to Kathmandu, you can travel from Sonauli (India) to Bhairahawa in Belahiya (Nepal). Buses are available all day. Then you need to drive another 9 hours Kathmandu. This transportation is more chosen by Indians or tourists who plan to travel to Kathmandu from India at a slow pace.

Gyirong Port - the Only Pass of Tibet Nepal Overland Tour

Nepal India Border Ports

With the only international airport in Nepal, Kathmandu usually is the first stop for foreign tourists to start a Nepal trip. After touring the time-honored palaces and temples in Kathmandu, you can take a car or flight to the nearby Patan and Bhaktapur, indulge in the natural beauty of Pokhara, have a close contact with the wildlife in Chitwan, or feel the Buddhism atmosphere in Lumbini.

Kathmandu to Pokhara - Pokhara is about 200 km to the west of Kathmandu. Getting there by car only needs 5.5h. You can also fly to Pokhara Airport and then drive about 20 minutes to Pokhara city center. There are about 8 direct flights a day and the flight only takes 30 minutes.

Kathmandu to Chitwan - Chitwan is about 152 km to the west of Kathmandu. You can take a car (5h) there or fly to Bharatpur Airport in Chitwan. There are about 7 direct flights a day and the journey is about 20 minutes. It will need another 50 minutes by car to Chitwan National Park from the airport.>> More about Kathmandu to Chitwan

Kathmandu to Lumbini - Lumbini is about 287 km (7 hours’ drive) to the west of Kathmandu. If you do not want such a long journey, you can fly 35 minutes to Gautam Buddha Airport in Siddharthanagar and then drive about 1 hour to Lumbini. There are about 7 direct flights a day. >> More about Kathmandu to Lumbini

★ Recommended Nepal Tours:

5 Days Kathmandu to Pokhara Leisure Tour by Flight | 8 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Highlights Tour

Kathmandu to Main Cities in Nepal

Phewa Lake in Pokhara

Elephants in Chitwan National Park

Kathmandu is not a big city and most attractions are clustered around downtown areas, easily to visit by walking, taxi, bike or Nepali rickshaw.

1. Taxi - Taking a taxi to tour Kathmandu City is the most convenient way for independent travellers. Taxies are everywhere on the street but only a few are metered. If you just live in Thamel Street (a gathering area of foreign travelers), a local taxi can lead you to every spot you want to visit either in city center or suburb of Kathmandu. Better negotiate a reasonable price before getting in a taxi because most cabs are not metered. And notice that it’s quite difficult to catch a night cab in Kathmandu, especially later than 11:00 pm.

Distance and driving time for your reference:

Thamel - Boundhanath Stupa: about 7 km, 30 min
Thamel - Swayambhunath Temple (Monkey Temple): about 3 km, 10 min
Thamel - Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport: about 6 km, 20 min
Thamel - Pashupatinath Temple: about 4.5 km, 15 min
Thamel - Bhaktapur: about 15 km, 45 min
Thamel - Patan: about 5 km, 20 min

2. Complete Self-drive & Chartered Vehicle - It’s impossible to drive by yourself to travel around Kathmandu in Nepal considering drive regulations, road condition and traffic concerns. If you prefer a local assistance, you can book a chartered bus service with guide and driver from us. Then they will take you to any places in Kathmandu as you requested.

3. Public Bus - Probably the local bus is the cheapest way to get around in Kathmandu. But as a new visitor, an overcrowded bus can be terrible for fresh tourists, even you can’t find where to take the bus and where to get off properly. Therefore, public bus is not recommended for travelers when you have a good tour plan in Kathmandu.

4. Rickshaw - A Nepalese style transport for short-distance tour. Some owners can introduce you attractions in English. You also need to bargain while choosing a rickshaw to visit scenic spots in central areas.

5. Bike - Independent sport fans’ favorite way to experience local life. Most hotels, hostels in Kathmandu offers bike rental service for young tourists. You can ride a bicycle to visit attractions freely if your health and weather permits.

6. Walking - Outdoor hiking practice in Nepal. Trekking in Nepal is world famous. Maybe you are planning a Kathmandu trekking tour, walking to enjoy all Kathmandu scenery can be a warming up for your following challenging hiking journey.

Kathmandu Local Taxi

Busy Thamel Street in Downtown Kathmandu

Nepal Rickshaw for Tourists

Tourists always start a Nepal tour from Kathmandu - the capital city and tourist distribution center. 4 days is enough to enjoy the world heritage sites and Himalayan views in Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and Nagarkot). For those travelers who won’t want to miss the most astonishing nature of Nepal, spend 1 or 2 more days visiting lakeside Pokhara. For more experience, Chitwan is a good choice to offer Nepal’s oldest wildlife (various mammal and birds species) as well as a variety of excursions in 2 days usually. If you are a Buddhist follower or fan, travel Lumbini and other Buddhist sites in 3~4 more days. If you are a trekking enthusiast, there is a bucket of trekking routes, like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, etc.

☞ 4 Days Classic Kathmandu Valley Tour
☞ 5 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Leisure Tour (by Flight)
☞ 8 Days Nepal Holiday Tour (Kathmandu - Pokhara - Chitwan)

Travel with Us

Traveling with Himalayas Discovery, you are assured to use our high-quality travel services, including vehicles, professional tour guide and experienced driver, well-organized itinerary, assistance of visa and permits application and other travel related services. We will settle all arrangements in advance to make sure you always enjoy a worry-free journey.

Adam's Family from USA visited Kathmandu with Himalayas Discovery