How to Get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel by Bus

How to Get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel by Bus

The bus to Dhulikhel leaves from Ratna Park in Kathmandu. Ratna Park is close to Thamel, so if you are staying there, you can even walk there in 10-15 minutes. (It’s more comfortable by taxi, but if you don’t mind a bit of walking, it’s not too far).

The bus stop is on the road opposite Bir Hospital, at the Bir Hospital Bus Stop at Ratna Park. There are many buses lined up here, and when you get there, just ask someone for the buses going to Dhulikhel and they’ll point you to it.

The name ‘Dhulikhel’ is written on the buses in Nepali, so it’s difficult to see which bus is for Dhulikhel. But the bus drivers and helpers are around the bus stop, and they can point you to the right bus.

Bus Fare

The bus ticket from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel costs Rs. 90 (which is only around USD 0.60!), so taking the bus is very affordable.

Bus Time

There is no timetable for buses in Kathmandu, but when I took the bus to Dhulikhel, they told me the buses leave in about every 20-30 minutes. They seem to go frequently, so you can just turn up at the bus stop at any time, and wait a bit until the bus leaves.

Even though Dhulikhel is only 30 km from Kathmandu, the bus journey takes two hours as there can be a lot of traffic in Kathmandu and the road conditions worsen once the bus is outside of Kathmandu.

Some sections of the road is also under construction between Kathmandu and Dhulikhel, and the last time I traveled on this road, it was really dusty. It should get better by time as the construction progresses, but it might take some time and remain dusty. On my last trip, it was so dusty that the dust particles even got inside our car through the AC.

The good thing is that when you get to the bus stop at Ratna Park, most likely you’ll be able to have a seat, so you don’t have to stand during the bus ride. The buses get really busy in Kathmandu, so it’s best if you have a seat on the bus for the whole ride.

Kathmandu to Dhulikhel by Taxi

Getting a taxi from Kathmandu 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.

I used to take the public bus a lot in Nepal, but on my last few trips to Dhulikhel I preferred going by taxi as it was much more comfortable then taking the crowded public bus.

To get a taxi, you can either hail a regular taxi or order one through one of the taxi apps in Nepal, like Pathao or InDrive. I prefer ordering a taxi through taxi apps as they have a set fare rate. Taxis you hail, tend to overcharge foreigners in Nepal, and it’s tiring when they refuse to go on the meter.

If you order a taxi through InDrive, the price of the taxi is around Rs. 1,700 (USD 11) from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel. If you take a regular taxi, the prices will be a bit more expensive around Rs. 2,000-2,500 (USD 13-16).

InDrive

• InDrive on Google Play
• InDrive on the Apple Store

Taxi Price

You get the best taxi prices if you order a taxi through one of the taxi apps in Kathmandu (Pathao or InDrive) to go from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel. The taxi price through InDrive is around Rs. 1,700.

If you hail a regular taxi, the price from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel is around Rs. 2,000-2,500. You may be able to negotiate a lower price or split the cost if you travel in a group.

Time

The taxi takes around 1.5 hours to reach Dhulikhel from Kathmandu. Sometimes the traffic can get bad in Kathmandu but generally you should get to Dhulikhel in 1.5 hours by taxi.

Hotels in Dhulikhel

Many hotels in Dhulikhel are not available to book online, so for those, you should call them to make a reservation. If you are planning to visit during the weekend, you should definitely book it ahead, as many hotels get fully booked during the weekends.

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.

If you are short on time, you can visit Dhulikhel on a day trip from Kathmandu. If you only go for a day, I recommend booking a private vehicle or tour, so you have more time to explore the town. If you stay for 2-3 days, then time-wise, it’s fine to go by public bus.

Frequently Asked Questions

My Final Tips on Taking the Bus to Dhulikhel

Dhulikhel is well-connected to Kathmandu by public transport, and there are direct buses that go to Dhulikhel from Kathmandu. Some sections of the road is under construction, so it makes it very dusty.

In my opinion, if you are planning to spend a few days in Dhulikhel, then it is okay to take the bus. If you are only planning a day trip, then it is better to take a taxi or hire a private car.

The reason is that Dhulikhel is two hours from Kathmandu, and if you plan to go to Dhulikhel just for a day, that would mean four hours of travel on a public bus and little time to actually explore Dhulikhel. So, for a day trip, it’s better to go by car. Otherwise, I found the public bus to Dhulikhel fine as long as you have a seat for the trip and don’t have to stand on the crowded bus.

Read Next

• Best Things to Do in Dhulikhel
• Day Trips from Kathmandu