Kathmandu to Pokhara: how to get there
The options between Kathmandu and Pokhara compared: tourist bus, local bus, private car and flight, with approximate times and places to break the journey.
By Firfirey editorial. Editorial draft, facts being checked against official sources.
The route
Kathmandu and Pokhara are about 200 km apart by road. The main route is the Prithvi Highway, which climbs out of the Kathmandu Valley, drops to the Trishuli River and follows it to Mugling, then runs west to Pokhara. Flights take about 25 minutes.
Times below are approximate. Traffic leaving Kathmandu, road works and landslides in the monsoon can add several hours.
Options compared
How the main options compare:
| Option | Approximate time | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist bus | 7-9 hours | Most travellers: fixed seats, morning departures, lunch stop |
| Local bus or microbus | 7-10 hours | Lowest cost; more stops, less space for luggage |
| Private car or jeep | 6-8 hours | Families and groups; stops wherever you like |
| Flight | About 25 minutes plus airport time | Saving a day; depends on weather |
By tourist bus
Tourist buses leave early in the morning from the Kantipath area near Thamel and arrive at the tourist bus park near Lakeside in Pokhara. Buy tickets a day ahead through a licensed local operator or at the bus company counter, and check where your bus leaves from.
Buses stop for breakfast and lunch at roadside restaurants. Keep valuables in your daypack with you, not in the luggage hold.
By private car or jeep
A private vehicle with a driver is faster and lets you stop at viewpoints or for a detour. It suits families and groups who can share the cost. Arrange it through a licensed local operator or your hotel.
By air
Several domestic airlines fly between Kathmandu and Pokhara many times a day. Flights leave from the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport. Arrive at least an hour early, and expect delays in poor visibility, especially in the monsoon and on hazy spring mornings.
Domestic baggage allowances are lower than international ones; check yours with the airline. For views of the mountains, ask for a seat on the right side of the plane when flying to Pokhara.
Breaking the journey
The road passes several places worth a night:
- Bandipur: a car-free hill bazaar 8 km above Dumre.
- Gorkha: the hill palace of the Shah kings, about an hour off the highway from Abu Khaireni.
- Manakamana temple: reached by cable car from Kurintar, on the highway.
- Trishuli River: rafting day trips run from points along the road.
Arriving in Pokhara
Tourist buses arrive at the tourist bus park, a short taxi ride from Lakeside. Taxis wait at the bus park and the airport; agree the fare before you get in. Most hotels in Lakeside are within a few minutes of each other, so tell the driver the area and the name of the street.
If you are starting a trek the next morning, use the afternoon to collect your ACAP permit if your agency has not arranged it, and to check gear.
Onward from Pokhara
Pokhara is the hub for the Annapurna region. Trailheads for Poon Hill, Annapurna Base Camp and Mardi Himal are one to two hours away by road, and flights to Jomsom for Lower Mustang and Muktinath leave early in the morning. Buses also run south to Lumbini and Chitwan, and to Tansen in Palpa.
Tips for the road
A few things make the trip easier:
- The road is winding; take motion-sickness remedies if you need them.
- Leave early to avoid the worst of the Kathmandu traffic.
- In the monsoon, check road conditions the day before.
- Carry water and snacks; stops are at set times.
Questions
How long is the bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
Usually about 7 to 9 hours by tourist bus, but traffic and road works can make it longer.
Is it better to fly or take the bus?
Flying saves most of a day and is worth it if time is short. The bus is cheaper and shows you the countryside. Flights can be delayed by weather.
Where can I stop between Kathmandu and Pokhara?
Bandipur, Gorkha and the Manakamana temple are the most popular stops, and rafting trips run on the Trishuli River.
Sources
Related treks
A teahouse trek from the road heads north of Pokhara through Gurung villages and the bamboo forest of the Modi Khola gorge into the Annapurna Sanctuary, to Annapurna Base Camp at about 4,130 m.
- Days
- 8 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,130 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A short teahouse loop from Pokhara through Magar and Gurung villages and rhododendron forest to Ghorepani and the Poon Hill viewpoint (3,210 m), returning via Tadapani and Ghandruk.
- Days
- 4 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,210 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
A ridge trek from Kande near Pokhara through rhododendron forest to the open crest below Machhapuchhre, with a day climb to Mardi Himal Base Camp at about 4,500 m.
- Days
- 6 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,500 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
