How to Get from Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills (By Bus, Taxi)
Looking for information on how to get from Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills?
You’ve come to the right place! I live in Kathmandu and loved my visit to Chandragiri. Chandragiri is famous for its cable car and the views of the Himalayas, and if you are looking for a day trip from Kathmandu, Chandragiri is a great choice.
Chandragiri is 14 km from Kathmandu and can be easily reached by public bus or taxi.
The public buses go from Kalanki towards Thankot/Chandragiri. It takes 30-40 minutes to Chandraigiri by bus, however, the bus does not take you all the way to the Chandragiri Cable Car. You have to walk about 20 minutes from the main road where the bus drops you.
Taking a taxi to Chandragiri is more comfortable and faster. The taxi costs around Rs. 1,000 from central Kathmandu to Chandragiri and takes 30 minutes.
So, here is how to get from Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills!
How to Get from Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills
Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills Distance
Chandragiri is 14 km from Kathmandu and can be reached in 30 minutes by taxi or in about 1 hour by bus.
Kathmandu to Chandragiri Bus
Chandragiri is close to Kathmandu, only 14 km away. The best way to get there by bus is to take a bus from Kalanki to Chandragiri/Thankot.
The bus from Kalanki to Thankot/Chandragiri takes maximum 30 minutes, depending on the traffic.
The public buses do not go all the way to the Cable Car station, so once the bus drops you in Thankot, you still have to walk for about 20 minutes to reach the Chandragiri Cable Car.
Kathmandu to Chandragiri Bus Fare
The bus fare costs Rs. 25 from Kalanki to Chandragiri/Thankot. If you are on a budget, taking the bus from Kalanki to Chandragiri is a good option as the bus ticket is very cheap.
Kathmandu to Chandragiri Taxi
Taking a taxi from Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills is much more comfortable and faster. You can either book a taxi from one of the Nepali taxi apps (Pathao, InDrive) or hail a regular taxi.
For the best taxi prices, it is always good to book a taxi through taxi apps as they have fixed prices and you don’t have to bargain for the price.
Kathmandu to Chandragiri Taxi Fare
The taxi from Kathmandu to Chandragiri costs around Rs. 1,000 and takes 30 minutes. Taking a taxi is also a great option if you go in a group as then you can split the costs for the taxi.
For the best taxi prices, make sure to book a taxi through one of the Nepali taxi apps such as Pathao or InDrive. They have the cheapest prices and the prices are fixed so you do not have to bargain for the price.
Nepali Taxi Apps:
Pathao
InDrive
Taximandu
How to order the taxi through taxi apps in Nepal
When setting the pick up location, it is the best to set the location near a landmark, restaurant or shop. The driver should find you either way based on the map but usually a landmark helps.
Once the driver accepts the ride, they always call you to confirm the pick up location. They usually ask in Nepali where your pick up location is. Not all the drivers can speak English, so if you don’t understand what they say, just keep saying that “I’m at the pick up location”. They always understand that and then will come to your location.
After you confirm the pick up location on the phone call, you can follow how far the driver is on the map in the app.
It is good to have the exact amount to pay for the taxi as often the taxi driver will not be able to give you back change.
Hotels in Chandragiri Hills
Most of the people go to Chandragiri as a day trip and return to Kathmandu the same day. It is also an option to hike from Chandragiri to Chitlang and spend the night there.
If you want to stay in Chandragiri, there is only one resort, the Chandragiri Hills Resort. It is about 20 minutes walk from the main amenities in Chandragiri Hills. If you stay there, they can probably arrange a transfer to the resort:
📍Chandragiri Hills Resort: check prices and book here!
Things to Do in Chandragiri Hills
Chandragiri is the most popular for its cable car, however, there are some other activities as well that you can do while there. Here are the best things to do in Chandragiri:
- Chandragiri Hills Cable Car
- See the view of the Himalayas
- Visit the Bhaleshwara Mahadev Temple
- Hike to Chitlang
Day Trips from Kathmandu
Not sure about Chandragiri and want to explore other destinations near Kathmandu?
Chandragiri is one of the most popular places for day trips from Kathmandu but here some other recommendations for weekend or day trips from Kathmandu:
Kathmandu Valley Transport Guides
Looking for information about public buses in and around Kathmandu? Check out my Kathmandu transport guides:
- Public Bus Routes in Kathmandu: How to Get Around
- Best Taxi Apps in Kathmandu
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Patan
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Nagarkot
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel
- How to Get from Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Godawari
Nepal Transport Guides
Want to know how to get to other destinations in Nepal? Check out my Nepal transport guides:
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- How to Get from Pokhara to Kathmandu
- 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 Janakpur
- How to Get to Tansen (Palpa)
- 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 Chandragiri Hills
How do I go from Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills by bus?
To get from Kathmandu to Chandragiri by bus, first you will have to get to Kalanki in Kathmandu. Kalanki is on the Ring Road and there are frequent buses that go from Kalanki to Chandragiri/Thankot.
Once you get off the bus in Chandragiri/Thankot, you will still have to walk for about 20 minutes to reach the Chandragiri Cable Car.
Is Chandragiri worth visiting?
Yes, Chandragiri is worth visiting, especially when the weather is clear. The cable car ride is fun and once you get to the top, you will get beautiful views of the Himalayas and the Kathmandu Valley.
How much is the ticket for the Chandragiri Cable Car?
The price of a ticket for the Chandragiri Cable Car varies based on the nationalities. As of 2024, the following prices are applied:
- Foreigners: USD 13 one-way, USD 23 two-way (approximately, Rs. 1,700 one-way, Rs. 3,000 two-way). The ticket prices are advertised in USD but they take Nepali Rupees for payment.
- Nepalese: Rs. 475 one-way, Rs. 825 two-way
- SAARC: Rs. 790 one-way, Rs. 1,320 two-way
- Chinese: USD 9 one-way, USD 16 two-way (approximately Rs. 1,200 and Rs. 2,100)
How long is the Chandragiri Cable Car ride?
The Chandragiri Cable Car covers the distance of 2.5 km and takes about 10 minutes. Some parts of the ride is pretty steep, so if you are scared of heights, it’s better not to look down!
How much is the taxi from Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills?
The taxi from central Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hills costs around Rs. 1,000 if you book it through one of the Nepali taxi apps, like Pathao or InDrive.
If you hail a regular taxi, the price may be a bit more expensive or you might have to try to negotiate the price a little bit with the driver.
What is Chandragiri, Nepal famous for?
Chandragiri in Nepal is famous for its cable car and the views of the Himalayas once you get to the top of Chandragiri Hills.
To see the Himalayas, the best time to visit Chandragiri is between October to April. If you visit during the monsoon season (June-August), it will be cloudy and you will not get views of the Himalayas.
Nevertheless, Chandragiri can be visited all year around as apart from the views of the Himalayas, there are other activities that you can do. Some other activities include visit the Bhaleshwara Mahadev Temple, go ziplining or hike to Chitlang.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting from Kathmandu to Chandragiri is fairly fast and easy. You can either go by public bus or taxi.
The taxi is a more comfortable way to go and if you go in a group, you can even split the costs of the taxi. The taxi costs around Rs. 1,000 from central Kathmandu to Chandragiri.
If you take the bus, first you will have to get to Kalanki and then change to another bus to Chandragiri/Thankot. Once you get dropped in Chandragiri, it still takes about 20 minutes walk to reach the Chandragiri Cable Car.
All in all, a day trip to Chandragiri is very popular and you can get there easily, whether you go by taxi or bus.
