How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park
Chitwan is a popular place for going on a jungle safari in Nepal, and you can get there by taking the bus, flight or private jeep.
When I visited Chitwan, I took the tourist bus and it took around 8 hours to get there from Kathmandu. The bus ride is long and bumpy, and if you are short on time, it is better to take the flight.
The main tourist town near Chitwan National Park is Sauraha, and that’s where all the travelers stay. So, when planning how to get to Chitwan, you have to look for buses that go to Sauraha.
If you are planning to fly, there is an airport in Bharatpur (close to Sauraha), and you can take a flight there. After arriving in Bharatpur, there are buses that go to Sauraha.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Distance
Chitwan is located in the south of Nepal, about 165 km from Kathmandu. It takes around 8 hours to get from Kathmandu to Chitwan by bus, while it takes 25 minutes by flight.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park
The closest town to Chitwan National Park is Sauraha, and this is where most tourists stay. It has many hotels, restaurants and safari tour operators you can choose from.
There are regular, daily buses and flights that connect Kathmandu and Chitwan. The bus takes around 8 hours, and the flight takes 25 minutes to reach Chitwan.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Bus
Kathmandu to Chitwan Bus Time
The tourist buses leave between 6:30-7 am from Kathmandu to Sauraha, Chitwan. The buses leave from the Tourist Bus Stop in Sorhakhutte (Kathmandu). It takes around 7-8 hours to get to Sauraha, and the buses usually arrive by 2-3 pm in Sauraha.
The Sorhakhutte Tourist Bus Stop is located only about 5 minutes’ walk from Thamel, so it can be reached easily if you are staying in Thamel. It is recommended to arrive at the bus stop 30 minutes before the departure time.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Bus Ticket Price
The bus ticket price is between Rs. 800 – 1,300 (USD 5-9) from Kathmandu to Sauraha (Chitwan).
Tourist Buses in Nepal
The tourist buses are considered the safest buses in Nepal. Nepal has mountainous roads so when you travel long distances by bus, sometimes it can take up the whole day.
The tourist buses are more comfortable than local buses but as the bus journeys can take long, sometimes, even the tourist buses can feel uncomfortable. This is due to the bumpy roads and long hours on the bus.
Usually, most tourist buses have an AC or fans during the hotter months and a 1L bottled water is always included in the ticket.
For the best tourist bus, I recommend booking Swift Holidays. It is considered one of the safest and comfortable tourist buses.
How to Buy the Tourist Bus Ticket to Chitwan
If it’s your first time in Nepal, the easiest way to get a bus ticket is if you buy it at a travel agency in Thamel or ask at your hotel to arrange it for you.
Travel Agency in Thamel: There are many travel agencies in Thamel selling tourist bus tickets. It is quick and easy to buy the ticket through an agency, though usually they charge a higher price as they add commission on top of the price.
At Your Hotel: Most of the hotels can also arrange a bus ticket for you. Just ask at the reception and they can get the bus ticket for you.
Online on BusSewa: It is also possible to buy bus tickets online on Bussewa.com. The platform is easy to use and you can pay for the ticket with an international bank card. It is usually best to just buy the bus ticket 1-2 days ahead of travel. Since you can buy bus tickets online, I now always get my bus tickets this way.
Browsing Bus Tickets Online in Nepal
If you just want to browse bus tickets online, you can also use Bussewa.com. Bussewa is a great platform and easy to use. You can use it to browse bus schedules, tickets and prices, even if at the end you prefer to buy the bus ticket from a travel agency in person.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Flight
The closest airport to Chitwan National Park is the Bharatpur Airport. It takes 25 minutes by flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur, and once you get to Bharatpur, there are local buses to Sauraha that take about 1 hour.
There are daily, regular flights between Kathmandu and Bharatpur so it is easy to take a flight there.
Your best option is to book a flight for the morning. Flights often get delayed in Nepal due to bad weather, thus, the earlier flight you book, the sooner you get to Chitwan even if flights are delayed.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Flight Time
It only takes 25 minutes to get from Kathmandu to Bharatpur by plane. Once you arrive in Bharatpur, you can get a local bus to take you to Sauraha. The local bus takes around 1 hour to get from Bharatpur to Sauraha.
Kathmandu to Chitwan Flight Price
The flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur costs USD 140 (approximately Rs. 21,000) for foreigners and Rs. 6,000 for Nepali citizens.
How to Buy Flight Tickets in Nepal
Buddha Air is considered as one of Nepal’s more trusted airlines. Check out Buddha Air’s website for prices and booking tickets.
Hotels in Chitwan
Not sure where to stay in Chitwan? Here are my top recommendations for every budget:
📍 Best Budget Hotel: Hotel National Park Sauraha
📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Chitwan Village Resort
📍 Best High-End Hotel: Sapana Village Lodge
Best Things to Do in Chitwan
There are so many things to do in Chitwan and even if you don’t want to go on a jungle safari, you can easily spend a few days relaxing in Sauraha.
Here are some of the best things to do in Chitwan:
- Go on a jungle safari (walking or by jeep)
- Canoe on the Rapti River
- Cycle to the 20,000 Lake (Bis Hazari Lake)
- Sunset Point
🐘 Book a 3-day Chitwan Safari and spot rhinos and elephants in the jungle! (4.6/5 on 130 reviews)
Restaurants in Sauraha
There are so many nice restaurants in Sauraha, and they serve all types of dishes, including Nepali and international cuisine. Some of my favourites are:
- Shantiko Kitchen: Best for nice ambience, good food, great playlist and supporting the welfare of elephants.
- Art Cafe: Best food and drinks
- KC’s Restaurant and Bar: Best for chill outdoor garden with great food.
Other Places to Spot Wildlife in Nepal
Chitwan is the most popular place to go on a wildlife safari in Nepal but if you want to explore less touristy places, you can check out the Bardia National Park or Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
- Bardia National Park: best to spot tigers, wild elephants and rhinos
- Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve: best to spot winter migratory birds, arna (wild water buffalo), and Gangetic dolphins
🐅 Not sure which safari is better for you? Check out my post on Chitwan vs Bardia National Park here!
FAQs: How to Get from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park
How do I go from Kathmandu to Sauraha/Chitwan National Park?
You have three options to go from Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park. You can either take the bus, private jeep or plane.
Both the buses and flights operate daily, on a regular schedule. The buses are a more affordable way to travel but it can take up to 8 hours. You can book both the buses and private jeeps at travel agencies in Thamel.
As for the flight, the closest airport to Chitwan is the Bharatpur Airport. The flight is quick and only takes 25 minutes to Bharatpur. Once you get to Bharatpur, you can take a local bus to Sauraha which takes about 1 hour.
How much does it cost to go from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
The cost of the trip from Kathmandu to Chitwan depends on the mode of transport you take.
The bus from Kathmandu to Chitwan costs between Rs. 800 – 1,300 (USD 5-9). While the flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur costs USD 140 (approximately Rs. 21,000) for foreigners and Rs. 6,000 for Nepali citizens.
Is it worth going to Chitwan?
Yes, Chitwan is definitely worth visiting! It is the closest National Park to Kathmandu that is known for its wildlife safaris.
Some of the best things to do in Sauraha, Chitwan include going on a jungle safari, canoeing on the Rapti River, cycling to the 20,000 Lake, chilling at the Sunset Point, going to a Tharu Cultural Show and trying traditional Tharu food.
How long is the bus from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
The bus takes about 8 hours to get from Kathmandu to Chitwan. The highway has been under construction for years so it could be that it takes slightly longer. Generally, 8 hours seem to be the average bus journey time.
How is the road condition from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
The road has been under construction for years, and in addition, the roads are bumpy and go through mountainous areas.
The road conditions are being improved, nevertheless, you should prepare there may be delays on the road. At best, the bus trip takes 7-8 hours from Kathmandu to Chitwan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chitwan is 165 km from Kathmandu and you can either get there by bus, private jeep or plane. The main tourist town near Chitwan National Park is Sauraha and that’s where most of the travelers stay.
The tourist buses and planes leave daily, on a frequent schedule.
The buses take on average 8 hours to get to Sauraha and cost Rs. 800 – 1,300 (USD 5-9). The flight takes 25 minutes from Kathmandu to Bharatpur and costs USD 140 for foreigners. Once in Bharatpur, there are frequent local buses from Bharatpur to Sauraha.
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