How to Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara (Bus, Flights)
Looking for information on travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
You’ve come to the right place. I have travelled between Kathmandu and Pokhara many times, so here is everything you need to know.
The distance from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 200 km and it is possible to travel to Pokhara by bus or to take a domestic flight. Both the flights and buses go frequently between Kathmandu and Pokhara.
By plane, it is a short 30 minutes flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The buses take around 10-12 hours to get to Pokhara. The bus journey is long but it is a more affordable way to travel.
Looking for activities once you arrive in Pokhara? Check out the best things to do in Pokhara.
How to Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by Bus
How to Buy the Tourist Bus Ticket Going to Pokhara
The most popular options to buy the tourist bus tickets in Nepal include buying it through a travel agency in Thamel or through your hotel:
- Travel agency
- Through your hotel/hostel
If you want to check online bus tickets in Nepal, check out:
BusSewa.com: BusSewa is an online platform where you can browse bus tickets. It is not possible to pay here using international bank cards. They only accept payment through Nepali digital payment apps, such as eSewa.
Still, BusSewa is a good platform to check the bus tickets to give you an idea of the options for buses, schedule and prices.
If you stay in Nepal long-term, you can find my guide here how to set up eSewa and pay for bus tickets online. eSewa is great for buying bus tickets online but I think it’s worth the most for those that stay in Nepal long-term.
Kathmandu to Pokhara Bus Ticket Price
The bus ticket is between Rs. 1,000 – 2,000. Some of the bus companies (Baba Adventure, Swift Holidays) run sofa seat buses that are more comfortable and they are the more expensive ones.
Kathmandu to Pokhara Bus Schedule
Mainly there are two types of buses going from Kathmandu to Pokhara: day and night buses.
Day Bus: The day buses all leave around 7 am from Sorakhutte, Kathmandu. Depending on the roadworks and traffic, the bus journey takes at least 10 hours.
Night Bus: The night buses leave around 7-8 pm in the evening and arrive at 6 am the next day in Pokhara.
It is recommended to arrive at the bus stop 30 minutes before the departure time to make sure you locate the bus.
Where Do the Buses Leave from in Kathmandu?
Day Bus:
The day buses (“morning buses”) to Pokhara leave from the Sorakhutte Tourist Bus Stop (see map below). Sorakhutte is only a few minutes’ walk from Thamel.
Sorakhutte is not really a Bus Station, it is more just like buses parked by the side of the road. Once you walk there, you will see a long line of buses along the road. Just show your ticket to one of the bus drivers/helpers and they will point you to your bus.
Night Bus:
The night buses leave from opposite Bhat Bhateni supermarket in Balaju (see on map).
Bhat Bhateni is a supermarket chain in Nepal and the night buses to Pokhara leave from opposite Bhat Bhateni in Balaju.
There is not really a bus station for the night buses in Balaju but you will see other travellers with their bags.
Kathmandu to Pokhara Distance
The distance from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 200 km and it takes between 10-12 hours to get there. It is a long bus journey, mostly due to the ongoing roadworks and traffic.
It is usually best to consider that the bus journey will take the whole day and if you get to Pokhara in less than 10 hours then it’s a success. The tourist bus usually drops passengers at the Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara.
Kathmandu to Pokhara Bus Journey
The Pokhara and Kathmandu road is one of the most frequently travelled route by travellers as it connects two of the biggest and touristic cities of Nepal.
However, the road has been under construction for years and it is yet to be completed. Due to the construction works, the journey can take anywhere between 10-12 hours.
Usually, most tourist buses will have an AC or fans. In addition, there is also a 1L bottled water included in the price of the ticket that the bus helper distributes to passengers.
Kathmandu to Pokhara Bus Travel Tips
- Purchase seats in the front of the bus: The bus ride can get very bumpy especially if you sit in the back, so it is best to sit in the front seats of the bus.
- Take some snacks with you: The bus will stop for lunch and toilet breaks but it is nice to have some snacks with you.
- Sofa seat buses for more comfort: Some bus companies (Swift Holidays, Baba Adventure) run sofa seat buses. They are more comfortable than other tourist buses.
- Expect to be on the bus for the whole day: Travel agencies in Thamel will still say that the bus journey only takes 6 hours but in reality, it’s between 10-12 hours. Go for the bus trip with your mindset prepared for a long day of bus journey.
How to Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara by Flights
There are regular, daily flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Although, Nepal has a bad safety record when it comes to flight safety, Buddha Air is considered as one of Nepal’s better trusted airlines.
The price of a flight ticket from Kathmandu to Pokhara for foreigners is around USD 100 one-way.
Tips for taking a flight in Nepal
Book a morning flight
The earlier your flight is, the most chance you have of flying out that day. Flights often get delayed or cancelled due to bad weather.
Once the weather clears, they start the flights take off in the order they were supposed to fly.
This means that if you were going to fly on the first flight in the morning, your flight will be the first one to fly out. If you were on a later flight, your flight might get delayed to the next day.
FAQ: How to Travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara
How do I go from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
To travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara, you have 2 options. You can either take a bus or flight. Both the buses and flights have a frequent, daily schedule.
While the buses are a more affordable option, the trip can take 10-12 hours by bus. While the flight is more expensive than the bus, it is only a 30-minute flight.
How much does it cost to go from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
Bus: The tourists buses typically cost between Rs. 1,200-2,000. The tourist buses with the more comfortable sofa seats (Swift Holidays, Baba Adventure) cost around Rs. 1,600-2,000.
Flight: The price of a one-way flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara cost USD 100 for foreigners.
How much time does it take to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu by bus?
The bus journey generally take between 10-12 hours from Kathmandu to Pokhara. There are roadworks going on and until the highway is completed, it is expected that the travel time will remain 10-12 hours.
What is the price of a deluxe bus ticket in Nepal?
The price of deluxe bus tickets is between Rs. 1,000-1,200. The Deluxe buses are an affordable option for travel in Nepal. They are a bit cheaper than the tourist buses in Nepal but there is not that much difference.
How far is Kathmandu from Pokhara by flight?
The flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara take 30 minutes. It is a short flight connecting the two cities in Nepal.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara, you can either take a bus or flight.
The plane is a short, 30 minutes flight and costs USD 100 for foreigners.
The bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara can take 10-12 hours, but it offers a more affordable way of travel. For buses, you can choose between day and night buses.
