How to Get from Kathmandu to Ilam (By Bus, Flight)
WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET FROM KATHMANDU TO ILAM?
I’ve got you covered! I live in Kathmandu and have travelled extensively across Nepal. Ilam is pretty far from Kathmandu, so it takes a very long time to reach by road.
Ilam is 585 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by daily buses, hiace (minivan) and flights. The bus and minivan take around 20 hours, and it is around 45 minutes by flight from Kathmandu to Ilam.
The bus ticket from Kathmandu to Ilam costs Rs. 2,500-2,900, while the flight ticket is around Rs. 8,000 for Nepali citizens and USD 115 for foreigners.
So, here is everything you need to know on how to get from Kathmandu to Ilam!
Kathmandu to Ilam Distance
Ilam is located in Eastern Nepal and is 585 km from Kathmandu. Even though it is far from Kathmandu, the two cities are connected by daily buses and you also have the option to take a flight.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Ilam
To get from Kathmandu to Ilam you can take a bus, hiace (minivan), direct flight from Kathmandu to Ilam (Phalgunanda Sukilumba Airport), or a flight from Kathmandu to Jhapa (Bhadrapur Airport) and then take a bus from Jhapa to Ilam.
Kathmandu to Ilam Bus
There are daily, regular buses that connect Kathmandu to Ilam. Ilam is 585 km by road from Kathmandu and takes at least 20 hours to get there by bus.
Generally, bus travel in Nepal can take long due to the mountain roads and traffic jams. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option to get to Ilam, taking the bus is a good option.
The buses leave from Machhapokhari and Kalanki in Kathmandu and it is best if you confirm the pick-up time and location when you buy your bus ticket.
It is a long bus journey, so it is best if you book a ticket in the front seats of the bus, as the further back you sit, the bumpier it will be.
You can also just buy the bus ticket about 2 days before travel. Usually, you don’t need to plan too far ahead when planning bus trips in Nepal, and in most cases, you can even get a seat just one day ahead of travel.
If you want good seats in the front, you should buy the ticket at least 2 days ahead of travel.
Kathmandu to Ilam Bus Time
The buses leave between 1-2 pm from Kathmandu (Machhapokhari and Kalanki Bus Stops) and take around 20 hours to get from Kathmandu to Ilam.
The bus usually goes in a loop from Kathmandu via Naubise, thus the bus trip takes even longer.
Kathmandu to Ilam Bus Price
The bus ticket from Kathmandu to Ilam costs between Rs. 2,500-2,900, which is around USD 18-21.
How to Buy the Bus Tickets in Nepal
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.
In general, you these options to buy bus tickets in Nepal:
- Travel Agency in Thamel
- Ask at your hotel if they can arrange the ticket
- Online on BusSewa: You can buy bus tickets from Kathmandu to Ilam on BusSewa.com. You can read my tips and tricks for booking bus tickets online in Nepal here
Kathmandu to Ilam Hiace (Minivan)
The Hiace leaves from Koteshwor and takes around 20 hours from Kathmandu to Ilam. The tickets costs Rs. 2,500.
Kathmandu to Ilam Flight
You have the option to fly straight from Kathmandu to Ilam (by Nepal Airlines) or take Buddha Air from Kathmandu to Jhapa, and then take a bus from Jhapa to Ilam (4-5 hours).
Buddha Air is one of the safest airline companies in Nepal, thus it might be worth to take an early morning flight to Jhapa and then take the bus from there.
The Nepal Airlines flight operates 2 times a week between Kathmandu and Ilam (Phalgunanda Sukilumba Airport). The flight takes 45 minutes and the ticket costs Rs. 7,000-9,000 for Nepali citizens.
The flight ticket for foreign nationals usually costs a little bit higher in Nepal, it is best if you check at a travel agency for booking this flight with the Nepal Airlines as there is no option for foreigners to book a flight on their website.
If you go by Buddha Air, there are many daily flights that connect Kathmandu to Jhapa (Bhadrapur Airport). The flight ticket from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur costs USD 116 for foreigners, and Rs. 6,000-8,000 for Nepali citizens.
The flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur takes 45 minutes, and then the bus from Bhadrapur to Ilam takes 5 hours. If you decide to fly to Bhadrapur, it is best to take an early morning flight, so as to have enough time to catch bus from Bhadrapur to Ilam on the same day.
Kathmandu to Ilam Flight Time
The flight from Kathmandu to Ilam takes around 45 minutes.
There is also an option to fly with Buddha Air from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur Airport (Jhapa), and then take a bus from Jhapa to Ilam. The flight takes 45 minutes and the bus is around 4-5 hours from Jhapa to Ilam.
Kathmandu to Ilam Flight Price
The flight ticket from Kathmandu to Ilam costs between Rs. 6,000-9,000 for Nepali citizens and USD 116 for foreigners.
How to Book Flights in Nepal
If you are a foreigner, it is best to book the flight to Ilam at a travel agency in Thamel. Nepal Airlines flies a direct flight from Kathmandu to Ilam, however, there is no option to buy the flight ticket on their website for foreigners – only for Nepali citizens.
If you go by Buddha Air, it is possible to buy the flight tickets online. However, Buddha Air does not fly directly to Ilam, but to Jhapa. The flight is 45 minutes to Jhapa, and then from Jhapa, you can take a bus to Ilam (5 hours).
Nepal Transport Guide
Looking for information on 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 from Kathmandu to Besisahar
- 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
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Salleri (EBC)
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (Langtang)
FAQs: How to Get from Kathmandu to Ilam
How far is Kathmandu from Ilam by bus?
Ilam is located in Eastern Nepal and is 585 km from Kathmandu and takes around 20 hours to get there by bus.
How do I get to Ilam?
To get from Kathmandu to Ilam you can take a bus, hiace (minivan), direct flight from Kathmandu to Ilam (Phalgunanda Sukilumba Airport), a flight from Kathmandu to Jhapa (Bhadrapur Airport) and then take a bus from Jhapa to Ilam.
How far is Ilam from Kathmandu by flight?
The flight from Kathmandu to Ilam takes 45 minutes.
There is also an option to fly with Buddha Air from Kathmandu to Jhapa (Bhadrapur Airport), and then take a bus from Jhapa to Ilam. Once you get to Jhapa, the bus takes around 4-5 hours to Ilam.
Buddha Air is one of the safest airline companies in Nepal, thus it might be worth to take an early morning flight to Jhapa and then take the bus from there.
What is Ilam famous for?
Ilam is famous for its tea gardens. If you want to see the tea gardens, see how tea is produced or just relax in a beautiful environment in Nepal, Ilam is definitely worth visiting!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ilam is 585 km from Kathmandu and can be reached by daily buses, hiace (minivan) and flights. The bus and minivan take around 20 hours, while it is around 45 minutes by flight from Kathmandu to Ilam.
The bus ticket from Kathmandu to Ilam costs Rs. 2,500-2,900, while the flight ticket is around Rs. 8,000 for Nepali citizens and USD 115 for foreigners.
You have the option to fly straight to Ilam (by Nepal Airlines) or take Buddha Air from Kathmandu to Jhapa, and then take a bus from Jhapa to Ilam (4-5 hours). Buddha Air is one of the safest airline companies in Nepal, thus it might be worth to take an early morning flight to Jhapa and then take the bus from there.
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.
