How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park (By Bus, Flight)
Planning a trip from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I live in Nepal and Chitwan is a popular place to visit to see wildlife in Nepal. Chitwan is considered as easy to reach from Kathmandu but it’s still 8 hours by bus.
Chitwan National Park has walking and jeep jungle safaris and is a good place to spot rhinos and elephants. The main tourist town near Chitwan National Park is Sauraha and that’s where all the travellers stay.
Chitwan is 165 km from Kathmandu and you can either get there by bus or plane. The bus takes between 7-8 hours and costs Rs. 850-1,200. The flight takes 25 minutes from Kathmandu to Bharatpur and costs USD 120 for foreigners. Once in Bharatpur, there are frequent local buses from Bharatpur to Sauraha.
Here is everything you need to know about how to get to Chitwan!
Kathmandu to Chitwan Distance
Chitwan is located in the south of Nepal and is about 165 km from Kathmandu. It takes about 8 hours to get from Kathmandu to Chitwan by bus, while it takes 25 minutes by flight.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park
The closest town to Chitwan National Park is Sauraha and this is where most tourists stay. It has many hotels, restaurants and safari tour operators you can choose from.
There are regular, daily buses and flights that connect Kathmandu and Chitwan. The bus takes around 8 hours and the flight takes 25 minutes to reach Chitwan.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Bus
Kathmandu to Chitwan Bus Time
The tourist buses leave between 6:30-7 am from Kathmandu to Sauraha, Chitwan. The buses leave from the Tourist Bus Stop in Sorhakhutte (Kathmandu). It takes around 7-8 hours to get to Sauraha, and the buses usually arrive by 2-3 pm in Sauraha.
The Sorhakhutte Tourist Bus Stop is located only about 5 minutes’ walk from Thamel, so it can be reached easily for those staying in Thamel. It is recommended to arrive at the bus stop 30 minutes before the departure time.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Bus Ticket Price
The bus ticket price is between Rs. 850 – 1,200 from Kathmandu to Sauraha (Chitwan).
Tourist Buses in Nepal
The tourist buses are considered the safest buses in Nepal. Nepal has mountainous roads so when you travel long distances by bus, sometimes it can take up the whole day.
The tourist buses are more comfortable than local buses but as the bus journeys can take long, sometimes, even the tourist buses can feel uncomfortable. This is due to the bumpy roads and long hours on the bus.
Usually, most tourist buses have an AC or fans during the hotter months and a 1L bottled water is always included in the ticket.
For the best tourist buses, check out Swift Holidays and Baba Adventure. They run sofa seat buses and are considered the most comfortable tourist buses.
How to Buy the Tourist Bus Ticket to Chitwan
If it’s your first time in Nepal, the easiest way to get a bus ticket is if you buy it at a travel agency or ask your hotel to arrange it for you.
Travel Agency in Thamel: There are many travel agencies in Thamel selling tourist bus tickets. It is quick and easy to buy the ticket through an agency, though usually they will charge a higher price as they also add commission to the price.
At Your Hotel: Most of the hotels can also arrange a bus ticket for you. Just ask at the reception and they will be able to get the bus ticket for you.
Online on BusSewa: It is also possible to buy bus tickets online on BusSewa.com. The platform is easy to use and you can pay for the ticket with an international bank card. It is usually best to just buy the bus ticket 1-2 days ahead of travel and here you can read my tips and tricks for booking bus tickets online in Nepal.
Browsing Bus Tickets Online in Nepal
If you just want to browse bus tickets online, you can also use BusSewa.com. BusSewa is a great platform and easy to use. You can use it to browse bus schedules, tickets and prices, even if at the end you prefer to buy the bus ticket from a travel agency in person.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Flight
The closest airport to Chitwan National Park is the Bharatpur Airport. It takes 25 minutes by flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur, and once you get to Bharatpur, there are local buses to Sauraha that take about 1 hour.
There are daily, regular flights between Kathmandu and Bharatpur so it is easy to take a flight there.
Your best option is to book a flight for the morning. Flights often get delayed in Nepal due to bad weather, thus, the earlier flight you book, the sooner you get to Chitwan even if flights are delayed.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Flight Time
It only takes 25 minutes to get from Kathmandu to Bharatpur by plane. Once you arrive in Bharatpur, you can get a local bus to take you to Sauraha. The local bus takes around 1 hour to get from Bharatpur to Sauraha.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Flight Price
The flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur costs USD 120 (approximately Rs. 16,000) for foreigners and Rs. 4,600 for Nepali citizens.
How to Buy Flight Tickets in Nepal
Buddha Air is considered as one of Nepal’s more trusted airlines. Check out Buddha Air’s website for prices and booking tickets.
Hotels in Chitwan
Not sure where to stay in Chitwan? Here are my top recommendations for every budget:
📍 Best Budget Hotel: Hotel National Park Sauraha
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Chitwan Village Resort
📍 Best High-End Hotel: Sapana Village Lodge
Best Things to Do in Chitwan
There are so many things to do in Chitwan and even if you don’t want to go on a jungle safari, you can easily spend a few days relaxing in Sauraha.
Here are some of the best things to do in Chitwan:
- Go on a jungle safari (walking or by jeep)
- Canoe on the Rapti River
- Cycle to the 20,000 Lake (Bis Hazari Lake)
- Sunset Point
🦏 Don’t miss your chance to go on a jungle safari in Nepal and book a 3-day Chitwan Safari here! (Voted 4.7/5 ⭐ on 92 reviews)
Restaurants in Sauraha
- Shantiko Kitchen: Best for nice ambience, good food, great playlist and supporting the welfare of elephants.
- Greasy Spoon Restaurant: Best for burgers.
- KC’s Restaurant and Bar: Best for chill outdoor garden with great food.
🍽️ For more restaurants, check out my guide on the best restaurants in Sauraha, Chitwan here!
Other Places to Spot Wildlife in Nepal
Chitwan is the most popular place to go on a wildlife safari in Nepal but if you want to explore less touristy places, you can check out the Bardia National Park or Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
- Bardia National Park: best to spot tigers, wild elephants and rhinos
- Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: best to spot winter migratory birds, arna (wild water buffalo), and Gangetic dolphins
🐅 Not sure which safari is better for you? Check out my post on Chitwan vs Bardia National Park here!
Nepal Transport Guide
Looking for information on how to get to other destinations in Nepal? Check out my transport guides:
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- How to Get from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- How to Get from Pokhara to Chitwan
- How to Get from Chitwan to Pokhara
- How to Get from Chitwan to Kathmandu
- How to Get to Bardia National Park
- How to Get to Bandipur
- How to Get to Janakpur
- How to Get to Tansen (Palpa)
- How to Get to Lumbini
- How to Get to Gorkha
- How to Get to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
FAQs: How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park
How do I go from Kathmandu to Sauraha/Chitwan National Park?
You have two options to go from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park. You can either take a bus or go by plane.
Both the buses and flights operate daily, on a regular schedule. The buses are a more affordable way to travel however, they take about 8 hours.
The closest airport to Chitwan is the Bharatpur Airport. The flight is quick and only takes 25 minutes to Bharatpur. Once you get to Bharatpur, you can take a local bus to Sauraha which takes about 1 hour.
How much does it cost to go from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
The cost of the trip from Kathmandu to Chitwan depends on the mode of transport you take.
The bus from Kathmandu to Chitwan costs between Rs. 850-1,200. While the flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur costs USD 120 (approximately Rs. 16,000) for foreigners and Rs. 4,600 for Nepali citizens.
Is it worth going to Chitwan?
Yes, Chitwan is definitely worth visiting! It is the closest National Park to Kathmandu that is known for its wildlife safaris.
Some of the best things to do in Sauraha, Chitwan include going on a jungle safari, canoeing on the Rapti River, cycling to the 20,000 Lake, chilling at the Sunset Point, going to a Tharu Cultural Show and trying traditional Tharu food.
How long is the bus from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
The bus takes about 8 hours to get from Kathmandu to Chitwan. The highway has been under construction for years so it could be that it takes slightly longer. Generally, 8 hours seem to be the average bus journey time.
How many days are enough for Chitwan?
You should spend at least 2 full days in Chitwan. Plus, consider 2 full days for travel to get to and from Chitwan if you are taking the bus. Thus in total, you need at least 4 days for a trip to Chitwan.
With 2 days in Chitwan, you can spend 1 day on a jungle safari and the other day, you can explore Sauraha.
How far is Chitwan from Kathmandu by flight?
The flight takes only 25 minutes from Kathmandu to Bharatpur. Bharatpur Airport is the closest airport to Chitwan National Park.
After landing in Bharatpur, there are many local buses that go to Sauraha. The bus from Bharatpur to Sauraha takes about 1 hour.
How is the road condition from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
The road has been under construction for years, and in addition, the roads are bumpy and go through mountainous areas.
The road conditions are being improved, nevertheless, you should prepare there may be delays on the road. At best, the bus trip takes 7-8 hours from Kathmandu to Chitwan.
How many kilometres from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
Chitwan is 165 kilometres from Kathmandu by road. Generally, it takes around 8 hours to get from Kathmandu to Chitwan by bus, while it takes 25 minutes by flight.
How much is the bus ticket for Sauraha, Chitwan?
The bus ticket from Kathmandu to Sauraha/Chitwan costs between Rs. 850-1,200. The more expensive ticket you buy, the more comfortable the seats are.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chitwan is 165 km from Kathmandu and you can either get there by bus or plane. The main tourist town near Chitwan National Park is Sauraha and that’s where all the travellers stay.
The tourist buses and planes leave daily, on a frequent schedule.
The buses take on average 8 hours to get to Sauraha and cost Rs 850-1,200. The flight takes 25 minutes from Kathmandu to Bharatpur and costs USD 120 for foreigners. Once in Bharatpur, there are frequent local buses from Bharatpur to Sauraha.
