Bus Travel in Nepal: Everything You Need to Know
Travelling by bus in Nepal is an adventure on its own. If you have not travelled by bus in Nepal, you have not really been to Nepal. Whether travelling on the public bus in Kathmandu or taking the bus between cities, it will bring you a new perspective about life in Nepal. On long distance buses, you will pass by mountains, rivers and valleys while listening to Nepali and Hindi songs for the whole journey. It can be a long and tiring experience but in a way, it is very much part of discovering and understanding Nepal better. Check out this post on bus travel in Nepal.
Types of Buses in Nepal
Tourist Bus (Day)
Taking the tourists bus is the best option when travelling between cities in Nepal. The buses usually leave around 7 am in the morning and better to plan for the journey to take the whole day. The tourist buses have more comfortable seats and AC/fans. The buses will have signs that there is wifi on board but do not believe it, there is never any wifi on the buses. However, you do get 1 litre of bottled water which is usually included in the ticket.
Tourist Bus (Night)
Although the majority of the buses leave in the morning, still there are 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. I have taken the night bus a couple of times before to Pokhara and Lumbini. The roads are bumpy and it is hard to have a proper sleep while on the night bus but sometimes it is the only option that works.
AC and Deluxe Bus (Day or Night)
Taking the AC and Deluxe buses instead of the tourist bus is an option. These are usually a bit cheaper than the tourist buses and also a little bit less comfortable. On some routes, sometimes there are only AC/Deluxe buses, so there is no option for going for the comfy sofa seat tourist buses. To be honest, in general the AC and Deluxe buses are still pretty good in comparison to the local buses.
Local Buses
This is where things get interesting. If you go to a remote area, your only option is going to be to take the local bus. 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 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.
Public Buses in Kathmandu
Taking the public bus can seem a bit chaotic but if you are staying in Kathmandu long-term, it can be useful to learn some of the bus routes. In the rush hour, it can get extremely busy on the buses so make sure to look out for your valuables. The bus fare is generally very cheap, around Rs. 25/trip. Want to know more about the public bus routes in Kathmandu? Read my article for advice on how to get around Kathmandu by public transport.
Bus Ticket Booking in Nepal
- At your hotel/hostel: 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.
- At a travel agent: There are many tourist agencies in Thamel selling bus tickets. The price of bus tickets through travel agencies is usually a bit higher as they also add on commission to 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.
- At the Gongabu Bus Park/Naya Bus Park: You can also buy bus tickets at the Gongabu/Naya Bus Park. It is best if you check with your hotel first if they can confirm that you can buy a ticket there to your destination. It lies a little bit outside of Thamel and the easiest way to get there is by taxi. Another option is to walk there, then walking from Thamel to Gongabu Bus Station will take around 35-45 minutes.
- Show up at the bus park in the morning: If you are going to Pokhara, it is also a possibility to just show up at the bus stand in Sorhakhutte in the morning and bargain for ticket. In this case, you will be at the mercy of the bus helper/driver and could make you pay a higher price for the ticket. Ask around different buses for the price to see which bus company can give you the best price on the spot.
- Through Mobile App: eSewa, a digital payment app has become very popular in Nepal in the last few years. You can book bus tickets through eSewa which is quick and easy. Follow the steps in my post on how to book a bus ticket online in Nepal.
Do you want to browse bus tickets in Nepal? Check out the website of BusSewa for bus routes, timetable, prices, pick up and drop off locations.
Bus 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?
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 me 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 drivers of the tourist buses are cautious and 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. I think it is more about mentally preparing for a long, all day long bus journey with plenty of snacks and a power bank.
Advice on Bus Travel in Nepal
- Get a seat in the front rows: The seats are numbered. Try to get a seat within the first 4 rows of seats (numbered 1-8). The roads are bumpy and the further back you sit, the worse each bump will feel.
- Lunch/dinner break: 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 will spend about 30 minutes for lunch/dinner break. It is also a good time to stretch, go to the toilet or stock up on snacks.
- 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.
- Take snacks with you: Snacks, fruits or sweets are important. You can stock up on beforehand or buy them when the bus makes stops for rest. 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.
- No wifi on the buses: there is no wifi on any of the tourist buses even if it has a sign saying so.
Essential Items to Take With You on the Bus Journey in Nepal
- Powerbank
- Snacks
- Handsanitizer
- 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.
