How to Get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot by Bus
Nagarkot is famous for its sunrise views over the Himalayas, and it is a popular destination near Kathmandu for a short trip. I love Nagarkot for a quick getaway from Kathmandu, but I have found that many times it’s cloudy and the view of Himalayas is not always guaranteed.
Nagarkot is close to Kathmandu and you can get there by taking a local bus or taxi. I have taken both the local bus and taxi from Kathmandu to Nagarkot and both are good options to get there.
The public bus is an affordable way to get to Nagarkot, while the taxi is best if you want a quick and comfortable journey.
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How to Get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot
Kathmandu to Nagarkot Distance
Nagarkot is 30 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by public buses or taxis. The bus takes about 3-4 hours in total, while it takes just 1.5 hours by taxi.
Kathmandu to Nagarkot Bus
There is no direct bus from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, so you have to take two buses.
The first bus takes you from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur, and then in Bhaktapur you have to change to another bus to Nagarkot. The whole journey takes about 3-4 hours from Kathmandu.
Step 1: Take the Bus from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur
The bus to Bhaktapur leaves from the Bhaktapur Bus Park (Bagbazaar) in Kathmandu. The Bhaktapur Bus Park is close to Thamel, so if you are staying there, you can even walk to the Bhaktapur Bus Park in 10-15 minutes.
The bus journey from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, and once you get to Bhaktapur, the bus will drop you around Siddha Pokhari (pond).
Step 2: Take the Bus from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot
Once you arrive in Bhaktapur, walk over to the Nagarkot Bus Park. Here, you will find the buses going to Nagarkot. The bus trip from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot takes around 1 hour.
Kathmandu to Nagarkot Bus Fare
The bus fare from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur is Rs. 40, while the bus fare from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot is Rs. 75. So, in total, it costs Rs. 115 (USD 0.80) to go from Kathmandu to Nagarkot by public bus. It’s very affordable!
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Kathmandu to Nagarkot Taxi
If you want to save time, getting a taxi to Nagarkot is also an option. The taxi takes around 1.5 hours to get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, and it is a fast and comfortable option.
There are many taxis in Kathmandu that you can hail and negotiate the trip with the driver. The Nepali taxi apps only work within Kathmandu so you won’t be able to book Pathao or InDrive all the way to Nagarkot.
Kathmandu to Nagarkot Taxi Fare
The price of the taxi from Kathmandu to Nagarkot costs around Rs. 3,000 (USD 20). You may be able to negotiate a lower price but usually, this is the approximate taxi fare from Kathmandu to Nagarkot.
When the driver drops you, they usually also ask if you would like to book them for a return trip. You can take their number, just in case, though there are many other taxis in Nagarkot.
For your return trip, there are also buses every hour going back to Bhaktapur, from where you can take another bus back to Kathmandu.
Hotels in Nagarkot
There are many hotels in Nagarkot and there are many options for all budgets. It’s best to pre-book the accommodation in Nagarkot, especially if you plan to visit on the weekend as the best hotels can get sold out for the weekend.
I recommend booking a place one or two days ahead (at least) to secure your preferred hotel. Here are my top 3 recommendations:
📍Budget Hotel: Hotel Village View Nagarkot
📍Mid-Range Hotel: Everest Manla Resort
📍High-End Hotel: Hotel Mystic Mountain
Things to Do in Nagarkot
Nagarkot is one of the most popular places near Kathmandu for a short trip and to see the sunrise.
The best places to visit in Nagarkot include the Nagarkot Geodic Survey Tower/View Tower, Nagarkot Panoramic Sunrise View Point, Nature Walk and the Panoramic Hiking Trail, Buddha Peace Park, Tudhi Jharna and hiking to Dhulikhel or Sundarijal.
FAQs: How to Get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot
How to get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot?
There are two options to reach Nagarkot from Kathmandu: you can either take a local bus or go by taxi. The taxi is a faster, more comfortable way to travel and gets you to Nagarkot in about 1.5 hours.
If you take the bus, first you have to take a bus from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur, and change to another bus there to Nagarkot.
How much is the taxi fare from Kathmandu to Nagarkot?
The taxi fare from Kathmandu to Nagarkot is around Rs. 3,000 (USD 20). Taxi apps (like Pathao or InDrive) do not operate outside of the Kathmandu Valley, so to get a taxi to Nagarkot, you will have to hail a taxi.
There is always a possibility to negotiate the price with the driver. If you travel in a group, it will also be cheaper as you can share the total cost.
How far is Nagarkot from Kathmandu?
The distance between Kathmandu and Nagarkot is 30 km by road. It takes around 3-4 hours by bus and 1.5 hours by taxi.
Although, the distance in km is not that far, the roads in Kathmandu can have bad traffic and the road from Bhaktapur to Nagarkot is in a hilly area, so the bus cannot go too fast.
My Final Tips on How to Get to Nagarkot
Nagarkot is a popular destination near Kathmandu for the sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas. Nagarkot is 30 km from Kathmandu and you can get there by taking a local bus or taxi.
The taxi takes 1.5 hours and costs Rs. 3,000 (USD 20). While, the bus from Kathmandu to Nagarkot takes 3-4 hours and costs Rs. 115 (USD 0.80) in total.
Getting to Nagarkot is fairly easy and quick, so it provides a nice getaway to spend time in the nature and nice views. If you want some comfort and save time, then I recommend taking the taxi to Nagarkot. If you are looking for an affordable option, then the public bus is a good alternative.
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