How to Get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel (By Bus, Taxi)

Looking for information on how to get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I live in Nepal and you can easily get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel by bus or taxi.
Dhulikhel is a great place for a short getaway from Kathmandu. It is a popular destination to see the sunrise over the Himalayas and is a less touristy alternative to Nagarkot.
Dhulikhel is 16 km from Bhaktapur and you can either take a public bus or taxi to get there. The bus takes around 1 hour from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel and costs Rs. 50. While, the taxi takes around 45 minutes and costs Rs. 1,000.
The buses operating between Bhaktapur and Dhulikhel are direct buses and leave frequently from the Jagati Bus Stand in Bhaktapur..
If you prefer to go by taxi to Dhulikhel, you will have to hail a regular taxi or book one through the InDrive taxi app.
So, here is how you can get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel!
How to Get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel
To get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel, you can either travel by bus or taxi. The bus takes around 1 hour and leaves from the Jagati Bus Stand in Bhaktapur.
Apart from the public buses, you can also take a taxi. The taxi takes around 45 minutes to reach Dhulikhel.
Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel Distance
Dhulkhel is 16 km from Bhaktapur, so it is very close. However, due to traffic and road conditions, it can still take about 1 hour to reach Dhulikhel by local bus.
Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel Bus
Getting from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel is very easy and there are local buses going frequently between the two cities.
The bus to Dhulikhel leaves from the Jagati Bus Stand in Bhaktapur.
If you are staying near the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, you can walk to the Jagati Bus Stand in about 15 minutes.
Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel Bus Fare
The bus ticket from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel costs Rs. 50.
Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel Bus Time
There is not really a timetable for buses in general. However, the buses leave every 5-10 minutes from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel.
The buses go frequently, so you can just turn up at the bus stop at the Jagati Bus Stand at any time and you won’t have to wait for long.
Even though Dhulikhel is only 16 km from Bhaktapur, the bus journey takes 1 hour as there can be a lot of traffic and the road conditions are not so good outside of Kathmandu.
Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel Taxi
Getting a taxi from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel is also an option. Taking a taxi is a more comfortable and faster way to get to Dhulikhel. If you travel in a group, you can also split the costs of the taxi.
To get a taxi, you can either hail a regular taxi or order one through the taxi app InDrive. Not all the Nepali taxi apps have a service out to Dhulikhel, but InDrive does.
If you order a taxi through InDrive, the price of the taxi is around Rs. 1,000 from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel. If you take a regular taxi, the drivers may quote prices that are a little bit more expensive.
InDrive Taxi App
Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel Taxi Price
You will get the best taxi prices if you order a taxi through InDrive to go from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel. The taxi price through InDrive is around Rs. 1,000.
InDrive generally operates within Kathmandu, but it seems that InDrive also has service available from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel.
If you take a regular taxi, the drivers may quote prices that are a little bit more expensive.
Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel Taxi Time
The taxi takes around 45 minutes to reach Dhulikhel from Bhaktapur. Sometimes the traffic can get bad in Kathmandu but generally you should get to Dhulikhel in less than an hour by taxi.
Hotels in Dhulikhel
Many of the hotels in Dhulikhel are not available to book online so for those, you can either call in advance or book it in person once you arrive. The prices for double/twin rooms start from Rs. 1,500 per night.
Here are my top recommendations for every budget:
📍 Best Budget Hotel: Tashidelek Guesthouse and Lodge
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Gaia Holiday Home
📍 Best High-End Hotel: The Dwarika’s Resort
Things to Do in Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel is the less touristy version of Nagarkot. Although, Nagarkot is the most popular place to see the sunrise over the Himalayas near Kathmandu, Dhulikhel is a good alternative.
Some of the best things to do in Dhulikhel include the sunrise and sunset views, walking up the 1,000 Steps to the Kali Temple and Selfie Stone, hiking and ziplining.
Kathmandu Transport Guide
Looking for information about public buses in and around Kathmandu? Check out my Kathmandu transport guides:
- How to Get Around by Public Transport in Kathmandu
- Best Taxi Apps in Kathmandu
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Patan
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Chandragiri
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Godawari
FAQs: How to Get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel
Is Dhulikhel worth visiting?
Yes, Dhulikhel is worth visiting especially if you are looking for a less touristy place near Kathmandu to see the sunrise.
Dhulikhel has beautiful views of the Himalayas on a clear day. The best time to visit is either October-November or March April to have the best views.
Why is Dhulikhel famous?
Dhulikhel is famous for its sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas, the 1,000 Steps to the Kali Temple and Selfie Stone, hiking or going ziplining.
Can you see the Himalayas from Dhulikhel?
Dhulikhel has panoramic views of the Himalayas but you can only see the Himalayas from Dhulikhel on a clear day.
The best time to visit Dhulikhel for Himalayan views is between October-November and March-April. If you visit during the monsoon season, the skies will be cloudy and you will likely not get any views of the Himalayas.
Which mountains can be seen from Dhulikhel?
On a clear day, you can get panoramic views of the Himalayas from Dhulikhel, including the Langtang, Gaurishankar, Numbur and Ganesh Himal mountain ranges.
How high is Dhulikhel from sea level?
Dhulikhel is located at the altitude of 1,550 metres.
How do I go from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel?
If you are planning a trip from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel, you can catch a direct bus from Ratna Park to Dhulikhel. The bus from Ratna Park goes from opposite Bir Hospital. It takes 2 hours and costs Rs. 90.
For more information, check out how to get from Kathmandu to Dhulikel here.
Where to get the bus in Kathmandu to go to Dhulikhel?
The bus from Kathmandu leaves from opposite the Bir Hospital at Ratna Park. Ratna Park is about 10 minutes walk away from Thamel, so if you are staying in Thamel, you can walk there easily.
How much is the bus ticket from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel?
The price of the bus ticket from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel is Rs. 90.
Is there a Kathmandu to Dhulikhel bus timetable?
There is not really a timetable for buses in general in Kathmandu. However, the buses leave about every 20-30 minutes from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel.
The buses go frequently, so you can just turn up at the bus stop at Ratna Park (opposite Bir Hospital) at any time.
How much is the price of taxi from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel?
The taxi price from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel is around Rs. 2,000-2,500. You may be able to negotiate a lower price or travel in a group and split the costs.
For getting a taxi to Dhulikhel, you will have to hail a regular taxi or book one through the InDrive taxi app.
How far is Bhaktapur from Kathmandu by bus?
Bhaktapur is 15 km from Kathmandu and they are connected by frequent buses. The bus leaves from Bagbazaar (Kathmandu), which is about 10 minutes walk from Thamel. The bus takes a bit over an hour to get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur.
For more information, check out how to get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can get easily from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel by bus or taxi.
Dhulikhel is a great place for a short getaway from Kathmandu. It is a popular destination to see the sunrise over the Himalayas and is a less touristy alternative to Nagarkot.
Dhulikhel is 16 km from Bhaktapur and you can either take a public bus or taxi to get there. The bus takes around 1 hour from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel and costs Rs. 50. While, the taxi takes around 45 minutes and costs Rs. 1,000.
The buses operating between Bhaktapur and Dhulikhel are direct buses and leave frequently from the Jagati Bus Stand in Bhaktapur.
If you prefer to go by taxi to Dhulikhel, you will have to hail a regular taxi or book one through the InDrive taxi app.