How to Travel from Kathmandu to Besisahar (By Bus, Minivan, Jeep)
PLANNING A TRIP FROM KATHMANDU TO BESISAHAR?
I have been visiting and periodically living in Nepal since 2015 and have travelled extensively in Nepal by bus. So, here is everything you need to know on how to get from Kathmandu to Besisahar.
Besisahar is 175 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by bus, minivans or private jeeps. The buses leave every morning between 6:30-8 am from the Gongabu Bus Park (Kathmandu) and takes around 9 hours to get to Besisahar. The bus ticket costs Rs. 700-740.
The minivans leave from Lotse Mall (next to Gongabu Bus Park, Kathmandu) about once an hour and take 8 hours to get to Besisahar.
It is also possible to book a private jeep or car from Kathmandu to Besisahar which usually costs between Rs. 14,000-20,000. If you are in a group or team up with other travellers, you can split the costs for the jeep.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Besisahar
Kathmandu to Besisahar Distance
The distance is 175 km from Kathmandu to Besisahar and it takes about 9 hours to get there by bus and 8 hours by minivans.
Due to the traffic or road conditions, there can be delays on the road so the bus travel might take up the whole day.
Kathmandu to Besisahar Bus
There are daily Deluxe buses that go directly from Kathmandu to Besisahar. The buses leave between 6:30-8 am from the Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu and takes around 9 hours to get to Besisahar.
The Gongabu Bus Park is located north of Thamel and it takes maximum 10 minutes from Thamel to the Gongabu Bus Park by taxi.
Bus travel in Nepal can take a long time due to the mountainous roads, so it is good to plan that the journey will take the whole day.
Kathmandu to Besisahar Bus Ticket Price
The bus ticket price from Kathmandu to Besisahar costs between Rs. 700-740.
Kathmandu to Besisahar Bus Time
The buses leave every day between 6:30-8 am from Kathmandu to Besisahar. It takes around 9 hours to get there by bus.
How to Buy the Bus Ticket
If it’s your first time in Nepal, the easiest way to buy the bus ticket to Besisahar is through travel agents in Thamel. You can also ask at your hotel as usually they are also able to arrange bus tickets.
- At a travel agency in Thamel
- Through your hotel
- Directly at the Gongabu Bus Park
- Online on BusSewa: BusSewa.com is a Nepali online platform where you can browse and buy bus tickets. For bus travel in Nepal, you do not have to buy the bus ticket much in advance – usually you can just buy it 2 days before. (If you travel in October-November, it is good to buy it 1 week ahead as during that time there are Nepali holidays and many people travel home by buses)
Kathmandu to Besisahar Minivan (Hiace)
Apart from the direct, daily bus, there is also an option to take a minivan to Besisahar. The minivans leave about once every hour from Lotse Mall (next to Gongabu Bus Park).
The minivans can get more crowded than the buses but it is a good alternative, if you need a flexible departure time as the minivans go frequently.
It takes about 8 hours to get from Kathmandu to Besisahar by minivan.
Kathmandu to Besisahar Jeep
It is also possible to book a private jeep or car from Kathmandu to Besisahar. Taking a private jeep is a more comfortable option.
You can arrange the private jeep from a travel agency in Thamel. It is good to ask around different places to find the best prices but generally a private jeep costs between Rs. 14,000-20,000.
Nepal Transport Guide
Looking for information on how to get to other destinations in Nepal? Check out my transport guides:
- How to Get from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- How to Get from Pokhara to Chitwan
- How to Get from Chitwan to Pokhara
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan
- How to Get from Chitwan to Kathmandu
- How to Get to Bardia National Park
- How to Get to Bandipur
- How to Get to Tansen (Palpa)
- How to Get to Janakpur
- How to Get to Lumbini
- How to Get to Gorkha
- How to Get to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
FAQs: How to Get from Kathmandu to Besisahar
How do I go from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
To get from Kathmandu to Besisahar, you can either go by bus or by hiring a private jeep/car.
The buses leave at 8 am in the morning from the Gongabu Bus Park and take around 9 hours to get to Besisahar. The bus ticket costs Rs. 740.
For a faster and more comfortable journey, you can book a private jeep/car through a travel agency in Thamel. The price of the jeep/car costs between Rs. 14,000-20,000 and if you are in a group it is easy to share the costs.
How much is the bus ticket from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
The bus ticket from Kathmandu to Besisahar costs Rs. 740 if you buy the bus ticket directly at the Gongabu Bus Park.
If you buy the bus ticket at a travel agency in Thamel, they will add a little bit of commission on top of the actual price.
How far is Lamjung from Kathmandu by bus?
Lamjung is 185 km from Kathmandu and takes about 10 hours to get there by bus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Besisahar is 175 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by bus, minivans or private jeeps. The buses leave every morning between 6:30-8 am from the Gongabu Bus Park (Kathmandu) and takes around 9 hours to get to Besisahar. The bus ticket costs Rs. 700-740.
The minivans leave from Lotse Mall (next to Gongabu Bus Park, Kathmandu) about once an hour and take 8 hours to get to Besisahar.
It is also possible to book a private jeep or car from Kathmandu to Besisahar which usually costs between Rs. 14,000-20,000. If you are in a group or team up with other travellers, you can split the costs for the jeep.
Nepal Trip Planning
Book your flight to Nepal: Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com to find the best flights deals!
Book Your Accommodation for Nepal: Are you looking for accommodation? Booking.com has everything from budget to luxury accommodation. For the cheapest places, check out Hostelworld.com.
Book Tours and Activities for Nepal: GetYourGuide and Viator have a vast number of tours and day trip activities all around the world. Check out their website and book your activity!
Get Travel Insurance for Nepal: It is always good to be on the safe side when travelling. SafetyWing is one of the most affordable international travel insurance and you can book it even after you have already started your trip.
Get Your Travel Cards: Whenever I am abroad, I always use travel cards Wise and Revolut. They have multiple currencies available, you can use it in shops and restaurants. The great thing is that they have the best exchange rates!
Looking for other tips to make travel easier? Check out my complete list of travel resources that have been my go-to companies when abroad or planning a trip.
Nepal Quick Guide
Can I get a Visa on Arrival for Nepal?
Yes! Almost all nationalities can get a ‘Visa on Arrival’ once landing at the Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu (check eligibility here). Getting a Visa-on-Arrival for Nepal is quick and easy. Read here my full guide on getting a Visa on Arrival for Nepal.
Should I get a Nepali SIM card?
Yes! Once you arrive in Nepal, it is recommended to get a Nepali SIM card.
SIM cards in Nepal are cheap and easy to get. There are daily, weekly or monthly data plans – all at an affordable cost. For more information, check how to get a SIM card in Nepal here.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Nepal?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Nepal, including taxi apps, offline maps for trekking, booking accommodation and travel cards.
Check out my list of the most useful mobile apps to have in Nepal.
Can I exchange money in Nepal? What about ATMs?
Yes! Thamel (where most tourists stay) has many money exchange shops as well as ATMs.
There is also a currency exchange shop at the airport but the rates are better in Thamel. Read here all about currency exchange and ATMs in Nepal.
Is it safe to travel by bus in Nepal?
The roads are dangerous but generally yes (best to travel by a tourist bus)!
I would say road travel in Nepal is generally dangerous due to the road conditions. The roads are narrow and go through mountainous areas. The tourist buses in Nepal have the best safety, so if possible, make sure to book tourist buses when travelling in Nepal.
Overall, the roads might look dangerous but the drivers are used to the road conditions in Nepal so the tourist buses are a safe choice. Here is everything you need to know about bus travel in Nepal.
Can I drink the tap water in Nepal?
No, you cannot drink the tap water in Nepal.
The tap water is unsafe for drinking in Nepal. It is not only foreign tourists that should not drink the tap water in Nepal, even Nepali people who were born and raised in Nepal do not drink the tap water.
Can I book bus tickets online in Nepal?
Yes! It is possible to book bus tickets online in Nepal however, I recommend it for those staying in Nepal for 3+ months.
It is not possible to book bus tickets online using an international bank card but only through registering on a Nepali digital payment app eSewa. If you are staying long-term in Nepal, read here my step-by-step guide on how to book bus tickets online using eSewa.
Do they speak English in Nepal?
You might wonder “Do they speak English in Nepal?” It depends on where in Nepal you are. In big cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sauraha/Chitwan) or trekking routes (Annapurna, Everest) that have many tourists, you will easily get by speaking English.
If you are in remote Nepal where not many tourists go, people usually will have little or no English. Here is a quick list of useful Nepali phrases to know while travelling in Nepal.
