How to Get from Chitwan to Pokhara (By Bus, Flight)

ByTravelling Mandala Updated on

Want to know how to get from Chitwan to Pokhara?

Don’t worry, I live in Nepal and getting from Chitwan to Pokhara is not too bad. Pokhara and Chitwan are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal and they are connected by regular buses and flights.

Pokhara is a chill holiday town with a lake and known for its hiking and trekking routes. Some of the most popular trekking routes that start from Pokhara are the Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal and Poon Hill.

Pokhara is 145 km from Chitwan and you can either get there by bus or plane. The bus takes around 7-8 hours and costs Rs. 900. The flight takes 20 minutes from Bharatpur (Chitwan) to Pokhara and costs USD 73 for foreigners.

So, here is how you can get from Chitwan to Pokhara!

Chitwan to Pokhara Distance

Pokhara is around 145 km from Chitwan and it takes 8 hours to get there by bus, while the flight takes only 20 minutes from Chitwan to Pokhara.

How to Get from Chitwan to Pokhara

You can get from Chitwan to Pokhara either by taking a bus or flight.

The bus leaves from the Sauraha Tourist Bus Station and takes around 8 hours to get to Pokhara. While, the flight takes 20 minutes to get to Pokhara.

Chitwan to Pokhara Bus

Tourist Bus Station in Sauraha (Chitwan), Nepal.
Tourist Bus Station, Sauraha (Chitwan)

Chitwan to Pokhara Bus Time

The tourist buses leave at 7:30 am from the Sauraha Tourist Bus Station (Chitwan) to Pokhara. The bus ride takes around 7-8 hours from Chitwan to Pokhara and you arrive in Pokhara around 2-3 pm.

The Tourist Bus Station in Sauraha is about 10-15 minutes’ walk away from central Sauraha but you can also take a taxi to get there.

Once in Pokhara, the final bus stop is usually at the Pokhara Tourist Bus Park. It is about 30 minutes’ walk from Lakeside but there are also many taxis if you don’t want to walk.

Chitwan to Pokhara Bus Ticket Price

The Chitwan to Pokhara tourist bus ticket costs Rs. 900 (approximately USD 7).

Tourist Buses in Nepal

Taking the tourist bus in Nepal is one of the best ways to get from Chitwan to Pokhara.
Baba Adventure (sofa seat bus)
Baba Adventure Bus in Nepal.
Baba Adventure Bus 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.

⚡ Get your power bank now so you don’t have to worry about charging your phone on long bus rides in Nepal!

How to Buy the Tourist Bus Ticket to Pokhara

Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara, Nepal.
Tourist Bus Park, Pokhara

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: There are many travel agencies in Pokhara 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 in Pokhara 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.

Chitwan to Pokhara Flight

The closest airport to Chitwan National Park is the Bharatpur Airport. There are daily, regular flights between Chitwan and Pokhara so it is easy to take a flight.

Most travellers stay in Sauraha (Chitwan), from where you can take a local bus to Bharatpur. The local bus takes around 1 hour to Bharatpur and once you get on the plane, the flight takes only 20 minutes to Pokhara.

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 Pokhara even if flights are delayed.

Chitwan to Pokhara Flight Time

It only takes 20 minutes to get from Bharatpur to Pokhara by plane.

To get to the Bharatpur Airport, you can take a local bus from Sauraha to Bharatpur. The local bus takes around 1 hour to get from Bharatpur to Sauraha and you should leave early to make sure you catch your flight in Bharatpur

Chitwan to Pokhara Flight Ticket Price

The flight from Bharatpur to Pokhara costs USD 73 (approximately Rs. 9,800) for foreigners and Rs. 3,500 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 Pokhara

Looking for a place to stay in Pokhara? Here are my top recommendations for every budget:

📍 Best Budget Accommodation: Pokhara Backpackers Hostel

📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Beli Guest House

📍 Best High-End Hotel: Bar Peepal Resort

Things to Do in Pokhara

There are so many great things to do in Pokhara! Here are some of the best activities:

Nepal Transport Guide

Looking for information on how to get to other destinations in Nepal? Check out my transport guides:

FAQs: How to Get from Chitwan to Pokhara

How to reach Pokhara from Chitwan?

Pokhara is 145 km from Chitwan and you can get there either by bus or plane.

The tourist bus from Chitwan to Pokhara takes around 7-8 hours and costs Rs. 900. The flight takes 20 minutes from Bharatpur (Chitwan) to Pokhara and costs USD 73 for foreigners.

How long is the bus ride from Chitwan to Pokhara?

Pokhara is 145 km away from Chitwan and takes around 7-8 hours to get there by bus.

Is there a night bus from Chitwan to Pokhara?

No, there isn’t a night bus service connecting Chitwan and Pokhara. There are only 2 tourist buses per day that leave Sauraha (Chitwan) to Pokhara. Both of the buses leave at 7:30 am in the morning.

What is the Chitwan to Pokhara bus timing?

The bus schedule from Chitwan to Pokhara include two buses per day. Both of the buses leave at 7:30 am and arrive around 2-3 pm in Pokhara.

How much is the bus ticket from Chitwan to Pokhara?

The tourist bus ticket from Chitwan to Pokhara is Rs. 900. If you book through a travel agent or through your hotel, they may add some commission charge on top of it.

If you buy the ticket directly at the Sauraha Bus Park, you will get the actual price (without paying any commission).

How can I go to Pokhara by train?

The short answer is that no, you cannot go to Pokhara by train. There is no train service between Chitwan and Pokhara.

In general, travelling by train in Nepal is not an option. Nepal only has one railway station in Janakpur and it is a very short train service connecting Janakpur with India.

What is Pokhara famous for?

Pokhara is famous for being one of the most popular holiday destinations in Nepal. It has Phewa Lake where you can go boating and there are also many trekking and hiking routes that start from Pokhara. Thus, whether you are looking to go on a trek or just a relaxing holiday, Pokhara has it all.

Conclusion

In conclusion, travelling from Chitwan to Pokhara is fairly easy. Pokhara and Chitwan are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal and they are connected by regular buses and flights.

Pokhara is 145 km from Chitwan and you can either get there by bus or plane.

The tourist bus from Chitwan to Pokhara takes around 7-8 hours and costs Rs. 900. The flight takes 20 minutes from Bharatpur (Chitwan) to Pokhara and costs USD 73 for foreigners. Once in Bharatpur, there are frequent local buses from Bharatpur to Sauraha.

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