How to Travel from Kathmandu to Besisahar (By Bus, Minivans, 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.
Besisahar is a popular starting point to the Annapurna Circuit Trek and here is all the information you need on how to get from Kathmandu to Besisahar.
Besisahar is 175 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by bus, minivans or private jeeps. There is a direct bus that leaves every morning at 8 am from the Gongabu Bus Park (Kathmandu) and takes 9 hours to get to Besisahar. The bus ticket costs Rs. 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 by Bus
- Bus ticket price: Rs. 740
- Bus schedule: There is one bus per day that leaves at 8 am in the morning from Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu to Besisahar distance: The distance is 175 km and takes about 9 hours to get from Kathmandu to Besisahar by bus.
There is only one bus per day that goes directly from Kathmandu to Besisahar. The bus is a Deluxe type of bus, there are no tourist buses with sofa seats that go to Besisahar.
The bus leaves at 8 am from the Gongabu Bus Park, which is also called as Naya/New Bus Park (see map below). Gongabu Bus Park is north of Thamel, you can get there in 10 minutes by taxi.
Depending on the traffic and road conditions, the journey from Kathmandu to Besisahar takes about 9 hours by bus.
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.
How to Buy the Bus Ticket
- Directly at the Gongabu Bus Park
- At a travel agency in Thamel
- Through your hotel
- Online through eSewa: check my guide on how to book bus ticket online in Nepal using eSewa (recommended if you stay long-term in Nepal).
Browsing Bus Tickets Online
BusSewa:
BusSewa.com is a Nepali online platform where you can browse bus tickets. It is not possible to book bus tickets using an international bank card but you can still use it to check the bus schedule and prices.
If you stay long-term in Nepal, you can set up an eSewa account which will let you book bus tickets online. Here is my guide on how to set up eSewa and book bus tickets online.
Kathmandu to Besisahar Distance
Besisahar is 175 km from Kathmandu. Depending on the road conditions and traffic, it takes around 9 hours to get there.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Besisahar by Minivans
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.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Besisahar by Private Jeep/Car
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.
FAQ: 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 hiring a private jeep/car.
The buses leave every morning at 8 am from the Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu and take 9 hours to get to Besisahar. The bus is a Deluxe type of bus and costs Rs. 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.
If you prefer to go by a private jeep/car, you can book one through a travel agency in Thamel. It costs between Rs. 14,000-20,000 and you can split the costs if you team up with other travellers.
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
1. 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.
2. 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 here how to get a SIM card in Nepal.
3. Are there some 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.
4. 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.
5. Is it safe to travel by bus in Nepal?
Yes (but 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
