How to Get from Kathmandu to Patan (By Bus, Taxi)

Looking for information on how to get from Kathmandu to Patan?
I have good news, I live in Kathmandu and getting from Kathmandu to Patan is super easy!
Patan is 6 km from Kathmandu and you can either take a public bus or taxi to get there. The bus takes around 15-20 minutes from Kathmandu to Patan and costs Rs. 25. While, the taxi takes around 10-15 and costs Rs. 500.
The buses and minivans go frequently from Ratna Park (Kathmandu) to Patan. Ratna Park is close to Thamel (where most tourists stay), so if you are staying in Thamel, you can walk to Ratna Park in about 10 minutes.
If you go by taxi to Patan, you can either hail a regular taxi or book one through Nepali taxi apps like Pathao or InDrive.
So, here is everything you need to know on how to get from Kathmandu to Patan!
How to Get from Kathmandu to Patan
Patan is located in Lalitpur district, which is one of the three districts making up Kathmandu. (The three cities that make up Kathmandu are Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur).
Patan is around 6 km from Kathmandu and it takes around 15-20 minutes to get there by bus or taxi.
The two cities are close to each other and can be easily visited by public transport or taking a taxi. There are many buses and minivans that go from Ratna Park (Kathmandu) to Patan or you can also order or hail a taxi.
Kathmandu to Patan Distance
The distance from Kathmandu to Patan is around 6 km. Depending on the traffic, it takes around 15-20 minutes to get there by bus or taxi.
Kathmandu to Patan Bus
Kathmandu and Patan are well connected by public transport. The buses and minivans go frequently from the Ratna Park Bus Stop (Kathmandu) to Patan.
The bus stop at Ratna Park is close to Thamel. Thamel is where most tourists stay and you will be able to walk from Thamel to Ratna Park in about 10 minutes.
Patan is just south of Kathmandu and are close to each other. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get to Patan by bus.
If you are going to the Patan Durbar Square, you will have to get off the bus at the stop by Pulchowk (next to Labim Mall). Labim Mall is a big shopping mall in Patan and from there, you can walk to the Patan Durbar Square in 5-10 minutes.
Kathmandu to Patan Bus Fare
The price of the bus ticket from Ratna Park (Kathmandu) to Patan costs Rs. 25.
Kathmandu to Patan Bus Time
There isn’t an official bus timetable in Kathmandu but the buses and minivans go frequently between Kathmandu and Patan.
This way, you can just go to Ratna Park anytime and you will find plenty of buses or minivans going to Patan.
Kathmandu Bus Route Planner
It is difficult to work out the public transport in Kathmandu as there is no official bus timetable or a map of the public bus routes.
Baato Maps is a Nepali app where you can check for public bus routes. It will show you some options for buses and minivans. It will not show the exact bus stop but you will get an idea on where to get on the bus.
If you locate the road where the bus goes and not sure where the bus stop is, usually you can just hail the bus anywhere and they will stop for you.
Kathmandu to Patan Taxi
Apart from the public transport, it is also easy to take a taxi to get to Patan. You can either hail a taxi or book it through one of Nepal’s ride sharing apps (Pathao or InDrive).
Booking a taxi through Pathao and InDrive is generally cheaper than hailing a taxi. Pathao and InDrive are easy to use and work just like Uber or Grab.
Kathmandu to Patan Taxi Price
The price of taxi from Kathmandu to Patan costs around Rs. 500 if you book through Pathao or InDrive. It is also possible to book a motorbike taxi through the taxi apps, in which case the price is around Rs. 150.
If you hail a regular taxi, the driver will probably tell you a little bit more expensive. If it is too expensive, you can negotiate for a cheaper price.
Kathmandu to Patan Taxi Time
It takes around 10-15 minutes from central Kathmandu to Patan by taxi, depending on the traffic.
The motorbike taxis are usually faster, but if you are not used to motorbikes, it is better to take a car taxi for safety.
Hotels in Patan
Most people only visit Patan for a day but if you want to spend some more time there, here are my top recommendations for hotels:
Things to Do in Patan
Patan is the most famous for the Patan Durbar Square and it is a must to check out if you are visiting Patan. However, there are also so many other things to do in Patan!
Some of the best places to visit in Patan are the Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum, Mahaboudha Temple, Golden Temple, Ashoka Stupa, Kumbeshwar Temple, Pimbahal Pond, Mangal Bazaar and checking out museum exhibitions.
Kathmandu Transport Guide
Looking for information about public buses in and around Kathmandu? Check out my Kathmandu transport guides:
- How to Get Around by Public Transport in Kathmandu
- Best Taxi Apps in Kathmandu
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur
- 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 Chandragiri
- How to Get from Kathmandu to Godawari
FAQs: How to Get from Kathmandu to Patan
How do I go from Kathmandu to Patan?
Kathmandu and Patan are close to each other and well connected by public transport. The buses go frequently from Ratna Park (Kathmandu) to Patan. The bus takes about 15-20 minutes and costs Rs. 25.
Apart from the public transport, it is also easy to take a taxi to get to Patan. You can either hail a taxi or book it through one of Nepal’s ride sharing apps (Pathao or InDrive).
The taxi takes around 10-15 minutes from Kathmandu to Patan and costs around Rs. 500. It is also possible to book a motorbike taxi through the taxi apps, in which case the price is around Rs. 150.
Kathmandu to Patan Distance
The distance from Kathmandu to Patan is around 6 km. The two cities are close to each other and can be easily visited by public transport or by taking a taxi.
Kathmandu to Patan Bus Timetable
There isn’t an official bus timetable in Kathmandu but the buses and minivans go frequently between Kathmandu and Patan. This way, you can just go to Ratna Park anytime and you will find plenty of buses or minivans going to Patan.
Kathmandu to Patan Bus Ticket Price
The price of the bus ticket from Kathmandu to Patan is Rs. 25. The bus departs from Ratna Park and you should get off at Labim Mall in Patan. From Labim Mall, you can reach Patan Durbar Square in 5-10 minutes’ walk.
Is Patan worth visiting?
Yes, Patan in Lalitpur, Nepal is definitely worth visiting! Patan is a short taxi or bus ride from central Kathmandu and is a great place to explore temples, stupas and hang out at a nice cafe or restaurant.
Some of the best places to visit in Patan are the Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum, Mahaboudha Temple, Golden Temple, Ashoka Stupa, Kumbeshwar Temple, Pimbahal Pond, Mangal Bazaar and checking out museum exhibitions.
What is Patan famous for?
Patan in Nepal is famous for the Patan Durbar Square which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley.
Apart from the Patan Durbar Square, there are many other temples and stupas around Patan that make Patan a great day trip from Kathmandu.
What food is Patan famous for?
The original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley are the Newari people. Patan has well-preserved Newari architecture (wood carved windows and red brick houses) and you can also find some very good Newari restaurants in Patan.
Some of the must try Newari dishes include bara at the Honacha Restaurant and yomari at the Nandini Newari Food Court in Patan, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting from Kathmandu to Patan is very easy and quick.
Patan is 6 km from Kathmandu and you can either take a public bus or taxi to get there. The bus takes around 15-20 minutes from Kathmandu to Patan and costs Rs. 25. While, the taxi takes around 10-15 and costs Rs. 500.
The buses and minivans go frequently from Ratna Park (Kathmandu) to Patan. Ratna Park is close to Thamel (where most tourists stay), so if you are staying in Thamel, you can walk to Ratna Park in about 10 minutes.
If you go by taxi to Patan, you can either hail a taxi or book one through Nepali taxi apps like Pathao or InDrive.