Public Transport in Pokhara, Nepal: How to Get Around (2024)
Wondering how is the public transport in Pokhara and how to get around by local bus or taxi?
Don’t worry, I have been to Pokhara many times and often used public buses to get around the city. So, here is everything you need to know about the public transport in Pokhara!
In general, getting around Pokhara is fairly easy. The city is not too big and the tourist hub of Lakeside can be easily explored on foot.
You may need to go by taxi, bus or scooter if you plan to go further out from Lakeside, for example to visit museums, caves or other attractions.
Public Transport in Pokhara
The main modes of transport in Pokhara are buses, minivans and taxis. Pokhara is smaller than Kathmandu, so it is fast to get around the city whether you walk, go by bus or taxi.
There is also an option to hire a scooter if you are used to driving in Asia. The traffic in Pokhara is not as busy as in Kathmandu so it feels much safer to drive a scooter here.
Public Bus in Pokhara
Getting the local bus in Pokhara is pretty easy but it takes some time to navigate the bus routes. Generally, there are buses going from Lakeside to various directions in Pokhara (0 Km, Prithvi Chowk, Hari Chowk or Damside).
People are usually very friendly and helpful, so if you ask around, people will point you in the right direction and help you which bus to get on.
Bus Fare in Pokhara
The bus fare costs generally Rs. 30/trip. Usually, it is Rs. 30 but it also depends on the distance you go. Thus, it can be slightly less or more, between Rs. 25-35/trip.
Pokhara Local Bus Routes
There is no mobile app for bus routes in Pokhara, so if you plan to take the bus, it is best to ask at your hotel for recommendation on the bus route.
Here are some of the popular bus routes in Pokhara:
Lakeside: Lakeside is where most tourists stay and it is easy to explore the area on foot. There are many buses that pass through Lakeside and below are some bus routes to the main attractions in Pokhara:
1. Lakeside to 0 Km to Hari Chowk
Hari Chowk is the place where the local buses go from Pokhara to Phedi. So if you want to get to Hari Chowk by public bus, first you will have to go from Lakeside to 0 Km, and then from 0 Km to Hari Chowk.
Attractions around Hari Chowk:
- The local buses go from Hari Chowk to Phedi (starting point to Australian Camp).
- Attractions near Hari Chowk: Gurkha Memorial Museum, Seti River Gorge and the Annapurna Museum.
- From Hari Chowk, you can also change to another bus that goes to the Bat Cave (Chamere Gufa) and the Mahendra Cave.
2. Lakeside to 0 Km to Baglung Bus Park
You will have to get to the Baglung Bus Park if you are looking for buses going to Kande. (Kande can be the starting point to the Australian Camp or Mardi Himal Trek).
To get to the Baglung Bus Park from Lakeside, first you will have to take a bus from Lakeside to 0 Km, and then from 0 Km to Baglung Bus Park.
3. Lakeside to Prithvi Chowk
There are direct buses from Lakeside to Prithvi Chowk and the bus ticket costs around Rs. 30-40.
From Prithvi Chowk, there are long-distance buses going to other places/cities in Nepal (e.g. Bardia National Park). Many of the tourist buses going to Kathmandu or Chitwan also pass by here to pick up passengers.
Prithvi Chowk is also in walking distance from the Regional Museum.
4. Lakeside to Damside
There are direct buses from Lakeside to Damside and the bus ticket costs around Rs. 30.
From Damside, you can take local buses/minivans going towards Davis Falls, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and the World Peace Pagoda.
5. Lakeside to Sedibagar
There are direct buses that go from Lakeside to Sedibagar and the bus ticket costs around Rs. 30-40.
Getting to Sedibagar is popular if you going to the Annapurna Cable Car Bottom Station to get to Sarangkot.
Ask the bus conductor to drop you off for the Annapurna Cable Car. Once they drop you, you will have to walk for a about 10 minutes slightly uphill to reach the starting point of the cable car.
Taxi in Pokhara
There are many taxis in Pokhara and you can either hail a taxi or book one through the inDrive app.
If you hail a taxi, you may have to pay a slightly more expensive price or be ready to bargain the price.
As for taxi apps, InDrive is currently the only taxi app available in Pokhara. The taxi booked through the inDrive app is more affordable and you get much better prices.
Taxi App: InDrive in Pokhara
InDrive is a taxi app that can be used easily to book taxis (car or motorbike) to get around Pokhara. The prices are low and it is fixed so you do not need to bargain as opposed to hailing a taxi on the spot.
Once you select the ride, the driver will usually call you to confirm the pick-up location. It is really easy to use and makes it affordable to get around Pokhara.
Hiring a Scooter in Pokhara
Hiring a scooter is also an option to get around Pokhara. It is probably the best option if you want to cover larger areas and more activities in one day.
You will see the signs at shops and agencies advertising scooters for hire. It costs around Rs. 1,500/day, plus you will have to pay for gas.
The traffic in Pokhara is not as busy as in Kathmandu so it feels much safer to drive a scooter here.
Tips for Taking Public Transport in Pokhara
Have Small Notes to Pay for the Fare
It is best if you have the exact amount of cash or small bank notes to pay for the fare. Usually, a trip costs around Rs. 30, but can be slightly less or more depending on the distance you travel on the bus.
It might be a bit tricky for the bus conductor to give you back change if you paid with a Rs. 1,000 note, so it is good to have some smaller change ready.
Look After Your Valuables
Although the buses in Pokhara do not get as crowded as in Kathmandu, it is best to be cautious and look out for your belongings.
Nepal is a safe country but if it gets too busy on the bus, it creates an environment easy for pickpockets.
FAQs: Public Transport in Pokhara
How do you get around Pokhara?
Pokhara is smaller than Kathmandu and it is easy to get around. Lakeside is easy to explore on foot.
If you plan to cover larger areas and visit various attractions outside of Lakeside, then you have the options to take a local bus, taxi or hire a scooter for the day.
What are the modes of transport in Pokhara?
The main modes of transport in Pokhara are buses, minivans, taxis or hiring a scooter. The buses and minivans are the cheapest transport but booking a taxi through the inDrive app is also very affordable.
Is it easy to get around Pokhara?
Yes, Pokhara is very easy to get around. Lakeside, the main tourist hub of Pokhara, can be easily explored on foot.
If you want to go further out from Lakeside, then you have the options to take a bus or book a taxi through the inDrive app for the best prices.
Can I use InDrive in Pokhara?
Yes, you can use InDrive in Pokhara. In fact, InDrive is currently the only available taxi app in Pokhara. It works just like Uber and it is a reliable, affordable way to get around Pokhara.
Is Tootle available in Pokhara?
No, Tootle is not available in Pokhara. Tootle is a popular taxi app but currently it is only available in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Is Pathao available in Pokhara?
No, Pathao is not available in Pokhara. Pathao is currently only available in Kathmandu, however, it is planning to roll out its services to 17 cities in Nepal, including Pokhara.
Is there Uber in Pokhara?
No, there is no Uber in Pokhara or Nepal in general. Instead of Uber, Nepal has other taxi apps that provide great taxi service.
Two of the most popular Nepali taxi apps are Pathao and InDrive. They works just like Uber and it is a reliable, affordable way to get around Kathmandu.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pokhara is easy to get around. Lakeside is small and can be explored on foot.
If you plan to visit attractions outside of Lakeside, there are many buses and taxis that you can go with.
If you are used to driving in Asia is also possible to hire a scooter for the day. Pokhara has much less traffic than Kathmandu so it is safer to drive there.
