Nepali Buses: Transportation in Nepal and How to Get Around (2025)
Do you want to know about Nepali buses, transportation and general bus travel in Nepal?
You’ve come to the right place! I have been visiting and periodically living in Nepal since 2015 and I can tell you that travelling by Nepali buses is an adventure on its own.
The main transportation in Nepal are buses, flights and minivans. Domestic flights in Nepal are a good option if you are short on time. Some routes that are only 30 minutes by flight, can take up to 10-12 hours by bus.
Nevertheless, people still mostly travel by bus and it is an affordable way to get around Nepal. There are 3 different types of buses in Nepal: tourist bus (safest and most comfortable), AC/Deluxe bus and local buses.
There are day and night buses in Nepal and the bus journeys can take anywhere between 8-12 hours, or sometimes more! Bus travel in Nepal can be long and tiring, so it is best if you are prepared for a bus journey.
Here is everything you need to know about buses in Nepal, bus ticket prices, booking tickets, road safety and more!
Transportation in Nepal
The main modes of transportation in Nepal are buses, minivans, planes and taxis.
Taking a domestic flight in Nepal can save you a lot of time as travelling by plane in Nepal takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour to any destination.
Buses and minivans can take up to 12-15 hours (or even more) depending on your destination. However, buses and minivans provide a more affordable way of travel in Nepal.
Nepali buses usually include tourist, AC/Deluxe or local buses. Travelling by buses in Nepal can be a long and tiring journey, nevertheless it is one of the most popular ways to travel in Nepal.
Nepali Buses
Types of Buses in Nepal
Tourist Bus (Day)
The tourist buses in Nepal are generally more comfortable and safer when it comes to bus travel in Nepal. Some of the tourist buses (Swift Holidays, Baba Adventure) also have sofa seat buses that are considered the most comfortable buses.
It is good to keep in mind that the bus journeys can take a long time, sometimes the whole day, and then even if you travel on a tourist bus, it will start to feel uncomfortable and tiring.
The tourist buses (day bus) usually leave around 6-8 am in the morning and get to the destination late afternoon/evening.
Tourist Bus (Night)
Although the majority of the tourist buses leave in the morning, there are still a handful of options for night buses. Taking the night bus is a good option if you are short on time and want to save a day of travelling by going at night.
The night buses leave around 7-8 pm and usually arrive to the destination the next morning. It can be difficult to sleep on the bus so when deciding to take the night bus, also consider how much sleep you need to get to function the next day.
The roads are bumpy and when the bus stops for toilet breaks in the night, they switch on the lights so it wakes you up many times. Due to this, it is hard to get a proper sleep while on the night bus but sometimes it is the only option that works.
AC and Deluxe Bus (Day or Night)
After the tourist buses, the AC/Deluxe buses are the second best option in Nepal. Some less touristy destinations only have AC/Deluxe buses operating, so sometimes you don’t even have a choice to go with a tourist bus.
The AC/Deluxe buses are usually a bit cheaper than the tourist buses but also a little bit less comfortable. The AC/Deluxe buses also have both day and night options.
To be honest, in general the AC and Deluxe buses are still pretty good in comparison to the local buses.
Local Buses
The local buses in Nepal are the least comfortable Nepali buses. They don’t have assigned seat tickets, so they usually get very crowded. Taking a local bus in Nepal is when bus travel in Nepal becomes a whole new experience.
You’d normally get to travel on a local bus if you visit a non-touristy or remote place in Nepal where no tourist or AC buses go. In many remote places, the local buses are the only option.
I am not sure if there are overnight local buses operating, but if there are, you should never take an overnight journey with it. Local buses are the least safe, however, still the drivers know how to drive on the narrow, mountain road, so you should not be too nervous about it.
The drivers are used to these roads and the mountain roads in Nepal constitute as the “normal road” where they have been driving for years.
Otherwise, the local bus is really an adventure. This is where you might find goats and chickens on the rooftop or inside the bus, and get you to learn all the popular Nepali and Hindi songs by heart.
I organize sightseeing trips and treks in Nepal:
✔️ Everest Base Camp
✔️ Annapurna Base Camp
✔️ World Heritage Sites & more!
Bus Ticket Booking in Nepal
If it’s your first time visiting Nepal, the easiest way to buy bus tickets is at a travel agency or through your hotel. In general, here is how you can buy bus tickets in Nepal:
1. At Your Hotel
Probably the easiest option is to ask at your hotel/hostel reception if they can get you a bus ticket to your destination. They will charge extra for commission but it is probably the most comfortable way of buying the bus ticket.
2. At a Travel Agency
There are many travel agencies in big cities and touristy places (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan) selling bus tickets. The price of bus tickets through travel agencies is usually a bit more expensive as they also add a commission fee on top of the price.
Nevertheless, if you are short on time and want to quickly buy a ticket without any hassle, the travel agency is one of your best option.
3. 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.
4. At the Bus Park or Ticket Counters
You can also buy bus tickets at major bus parks in cities (eg. Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu, Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara).
It is best if you check with your hotel first if they can confirm at which bus park or ticket counter you can buy your ticket to your destination.
5. Show up at the Bus Park in the Morning
Sometimes people also just show up at the bus station in the morning and try to get a seat on the spot. If you travel to popular destinations such as Pokhara or Chitwan, this may be possible as there are many buses going there.
It can be risky though to just show up in the morning as you will have to bargain for the ticket, and you probably won’t be able to select a seat of your preference.
October-November is the main holiday season in Nepal when many Nepali travel home to be with there families and buses get sold out fast during this time. If you plan to travel by bus in Nepal during this time, you should book your bus ticket 5-6 days ahead.
Bus Ticket Price in Nepal
The prices of tourist buses are generally between Rs. 1,000 – 1,700, depending on where you are going and the type of bus you are booking.
General tourists buses cost around Rs. 1,200, while the more comfortable sofa seat buses are around Rs. 1,600/trip.
Approximate prices of bus tickets from Kathmandu to Pokhara:
- Shuva Jagadamba Bus: Rs. 1,000
- Desh Darshan Bus: Rs. 1,200
- Baba Adventure Bus (sofa seat): Rs. 1,600
- Swift Holidays Bus (sofa seat): Rs. 1,700
Where Do the Buses Leave From?
If you are going to Pokhara/Bandipur/Chitwan: the tourist buses leave from Sorhakhutte (on the north edge of Thamel) in the morning between 6 – 8 am.
It is not really a bus park, just buses parking on the side of the road. There will be a long line of buses and difficult to make out specific buses. The best thing you can do is to ask a bus driver or helper to direct you to your bus.
How Long Does the Bus Journey Take?
Bus travel in Nepal can be long and tiring. Due to the road conditions, the duration of the bus trips across Nepal can get very long, usually takes around 10 hours.
If you look at google maps to calculate how long the route is going to take, it is best to count the double amount of time that google shows.
For some reason, even ticket agents would still tell you that the bus ride from Kathmandu to Pokhara will take 5-6 hours but it’s more like 10-12 hours.
Road Safety
The road conditions in Nepal are not the best. The roads are narrow, there are a lot of curves, blind spots and vehicles having to drive often close to the edge of the hill.
However, the bus drivers are used to the terrain and road conditions. So while it may seem dangerous, the drivers know the roads well and we should not be too nervous about taking the bus.
Advice for Bus Travel in Nepal
1. Get a Seat in the Front Rows
The roads are bumpy and the further back you sit, the worse each bump will feel. When you book your bus ticket, try to get a seat within the first 4 rows of seats (numbered 1-8).
2. Lunch/Dinner Breaks
The bus will stop for lunch/dinner depending on the time you are travelling. Lunch/dinner is usually at restaurants that have typical Nepali food, such as dal bhat in a buffet style (Rs. 400-500).
The bus spends about 30 minutes for lunch/dinner break. It is also a good time to stretch, go to the toilet or stock up on snacks.
3. Toilet Breaks
Apart from the break for lunch/dinner, it will also stop about 2 times for toilet breaks. The toilets will be squat toilets with no toilet paper, so do not forget to take tissues with you when you go to the toilet.
Sometimes, buses stop very frequently for breaks, however, other times, they can take 4-5 hours to make a stop. It is good to be careful about how much water you drink as you may never know how long before the bus makes a stop.
4. Take Snacks with You
You need snacks as the bus rides can be long and you never know how long it will actually take. There can be road closures, traffic jams, the bus can break down, and the list just goes on. So yeah, have the snacks ready.
You can stock up on snacks beforehand or buy them when the bus makes stops for rest.
5. No Wifi or Plugs on the Buses
There is no wifi or plugs to charge phones on any of the buses. Sometimes there are signs on the bus that it has wifi, or there are plugs on the bus that indicate that you can charge your phone, but the plugs never work.
So for this, it is best to prepare by having enough data on your phone and also to take a power bank with you so that you can charge your phone.
What to Pack for a Bus Journey in Nepal
- Power bank
- Snacks
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues or toilet paper
- Eye mask: if you are taking the night bus, an eye mask is a life saver. Sometimes, the bus stops for toilet breaks in the middle of the night and then they switch on the lights. If you have an eye mask, you will still wake up a bit but not as badly as if you had no eye mask on.
Minivans (Hiace) in Nepal
Apart from buses, taking a minivan is another way to get around Nepal. The minivans go mostly on the same routes as the buses.
For some destinations, there are only night buses but you can find a minivan scheduled during the day. If you go to popular destinations such as Pokhara or Chitwan, there are many day and night buses.
If you travel to a less touristy destination such as Janakpur, there is only a night bus from Kathmandu. But if you want to travel during the day, there are minivans leaving early morning.
The minivans can get a bit more crowded and you have less space for your legs. So, if you prefer a slightly more comfortable journey, the bus is a better option.
Public Transport in Kathmandu
Taking the public transport in Kathmandu can seem a bit chaotic at first but if you are staying in Kathmandu long-term, it can be useful to learn some of the bus routes.
Ratna Park is a major bus park in Kathmandu and you will find many buses going here to most of the locations in Kathmandu, including buses to Patan and Bhaktapur.
The bus fare is calculated based on km and the general bus fare is around Rs. 25/trip in Kathmandu. In the rush hour, it can get extremely busy on the buses so make sure to look out for your valuables.
Nepal Bus Routes Guide
- How to Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- How to Travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- How to Travel from Pokhara to Chitwan
- How to Travel from Chitwan to Pokhara
- How to Travel from Kathmandu to Chitwan
- How to Travel from Chitwan to Kathmandu
- How to Travel to Bardia National Park, Nepal
- How to Travel to Lumbini, Nepal
- How to Travel to Bandipur, Nepal
- How to Travel to Janakpur, Nepal
- How to Travel to Tansen (Palpa), Nepal
- How to Travel to Gorkha, Nepal
- How to Travel to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
FAQs: Nepali Buses: Transportation in Nepal
How much does a tourist bus ticket cost in Nepal?
The tourist bus ticket in Nepal generally costs between Rs. 1,200-1,700 (USD 8-12). The more expensive tickets, tend to be the tourist buses that have comfortable sofa seats.
Which is the best way to get around Nepal?
To get around Nepal, you have the option to travel by bus or take a flight. The flights are usually faster and take around 30 minutes-1 hour in Nepal, while the buses are cheaper but can take up to 12-15 hours depending on where you are going to.
Is it safe for US citizens to travel to Nepal?
Yes, it is safe for US citizens and all other nationalities to travel to Nepal. Nepal is a relatively safe country, nevertheless you still have to be cautious.
If you travel by Nepali buses, make sure to look out for your belongings and valuables.
Other risks in Nepal include natural hazards, such as earthquakes, or landslides during the monsoon season.
Which is the most luxurious bus in Nepal?
The most comfortable bus in Nepal are the sofa seat buses. Swift Holidays and Baba Adventure both run sofa seat buses in Nepal.
I may not call it luxurious but surely, they are the most comfortable Nepali buses available.
Conclusion
The main transportation in Nepal are buses, minivans, flights and taxis. Domestic flights in Nepal are a good option if you are short on time. Some routes that are only 30 minutes by flight, can take up to 10-12 hours by bus.
Nevertheless, people still mostly travel by bus and it is an affordable way to get around Nepal. There are 3 different types of Nepali buses: tourist bus (the most comfortable), AC/Deluxe bus and local buses.
There are day and night buses in Nepal and the bus journeys can take anywhere between 8-12 hours, or sometimes more! Taking Nepali buses can be long and tiring, so it is best if you are prepared for a bus journey.
