Nepal transport and getting around

OK, so maybe this isn’t the page that’s going to get you all excited about coming to Nepal, but how you get from place to place is important, and it can be a wonderful way to see the vast open spaces of the country.

There are many different ways to travel through Nepal, depending on your budget, route, and preferred travel style, so in this page, we’ll run through the main ones you’re likely to encounter on your journey.

Domestic Flights

If you’re on a tight schedule or just want to avoid a long and winding road journey, then Nepal has several domestic flight routes that operate daily from Kathmandu and Pokhara. Alongside Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, and Yeti Airlines, smaller domestic operators like Saurya Airlines, Shree Airlines, Simrik Airlines, and Tara Air also cover most of the main routes. We generally use Yeti Airlines if possible, since we like their service.

You can book these airlines online, or get in touch with our team so we can arrange flights as part of your itinerary, along with transfers, etc.

Popular daily routes (available in both directions);

Kathmandu – Pokhara

Kathmandu – Lukla (Everest)

Kathmandu – Bhairawa (Western Nepal)

Kathmandu – Nepalgunj (Bardia)

Kathmandu – Bharatpur (Chitwan)

Kathmandu – Bhiratnagar (East Nepal)

Pokhara – Jomsom (Lower Mustang)

Pokhara – Bharatpur (Chitwan)

Pokhara – Nepalgunj (Bardia)

For further details about domestic and international flights in Nepal, head to our Nepal Flights page. 

Luggage allowance;

Standard flight = 20-25kg + 5kg hand luggage

Mountain flight (e.g. Lukla) = 10kg  + 5kg hand luggage

Check-in and delays;

You should aim to be at the airport at least 90 minutes before your departure time. Domestic flights are often delayed due to weather or other reasons, so you may have to display some patience at times.

If you’re trying to connect with an international flight, it’s wise to leave a good chunk of time between the two, just in case of delays.

Private Transfers

The most comfortable way to travel overland in Nepal is by private transfer. Our partners at Royal Mountain Travel have a fleet of modern, eco-friendly vehicles to suit various group sizes and journey types, with everything from comfortable SUVs to safari jeeps and small coaches. They’ve also invested in two electric cars as part of their drive to protect Nepal’s environment.

Royal Mountain’s drivers are professional and friendly, and will make stops along the way if you’d like to use a bathroom or admire a view. Most Nepalese drivers do not speak fluent English, but they’ll understand a little and are used to communicating with smiles and sign language.
Enquire with Royal Mountain Travel

How people drive in Nepal may be quite different from what you’re used to, and can be a little scary at first! Cars, or even buses, will overtake on blind turns, and there is more reliance on car horns than on following road rules. Don’t be too concerned if your driver seems to be taking some ‘risks’ – it is actually much safer to drive with a little aggression in Nepal, as hesitant drivers are far more likely to have accidents.

Hiring a Car in Nepal

Whilst this is possible for foreigners, driving on Nepal’s roads is not for the faint-hearted (see above) and we’d urge you to think very carefully before choosing this option. You may be an experienced and safe driver at home, but the roads and driving culture in Nepal can take years to get used to.

Tourist buses

You can travel many routes in Nepal by either public or tourist bus – tourist buses are generally better quality and are still very cheap by western standards, so we’d usually recommend paying that little bit extra.

However, even on tourist buses, you’ll find that the comfort level isn’t that great, and these vehicles lack the safety features you might be used to at home.

If you don’t mind roughing it a little and are looking to save some money, Nepalese buses provide a good option for travellers. There are many bus companies you can book locally, but we’d advise doing some quick research as some are better than others. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our team for help arranging bus tickets as part of your Nepal holiday.

Roads in Nepal follow the hills and mountains, so they are rarely straight and usually quite narrow. They’re also subject to landslides, especially during the monsoon season, and some major roadworks. Don’t be surprised if traffic grinds to a halt occasionally, sometimes for an hour or two.

Taxis

Taxis are widely available in most towns and cities – sometimes you’ll have 3 or 4 taxis trying to get your business at the same time! Make sure that your taxi is official and has a working meter, or agree on a fare before you start the journey. A normal taxi ride of 10-20 minutes shouldn’t cost much more than NRs500.

Rickshaws

A cheap, fun option to get around in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, allowing you to see the city at a more relaxed pace. Bring a face mask with you, especially in Kathmandu, where the air pollution around the roads can be pretty intense.

Traffic in Kathmandu can get ridiculous at times, and a 10-minute journey can easily turn into 30 minutes of boredom. Apparently, there are more cars than there is actual road space in the city, so prepare to be patient, or maybe choose to walk instead!

Feet

Of course, if you’re trekking, then your feet are going to see some serious action, but even in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, most of the main attractions can be easily reached on foot….just grab yourself a city map and watch out for potholes!