How to Get from Pokhara to Jomsom (By Bus, Jeep)
Jomsom is a major village in the Mustang District of Nepal, and I travelled from Pokhara to Jomsom at the start of my trip to explore Lower Mustang.
Jomsom is more like a place where travellers pass by either when going up to Muktinath or when coming down from completing the Annapurna Circuit.
Jomsom is 158 km from Pokhara, but the two places are well-connected by daily buses, jeeps and flights. The road is not too bad, but the buses and jeeps take many breaks on the way to Jomsom, so the journey can take up the whole day.
The buses and jeeps leave from Zero KM and Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara at 7-9 am, and get to Jomsom around 4-6 pm. The bus ticket costs Rs. 1,200 (USD 9), and the jeep ticket costs Rs. 1,800 (USD 13).
You can buy the tickets online on BusSewa or Esewa, or directly at the ticket counters at Zero KM. Staff at your hotel can also arrange the tickets, in this case the tickets cost a bit more expensive as they add commission on top.
Pokhara to Jomsom Distance
Jomsom is 158 km from Pokhara and it takes around 9 hours to get there by bus. If you go by your own vehicle or a private jeep, then the journey can be faster.
However, the regular buses and jeeps take many stops, so the trip can take almost the whole day.
During my journey to Jomsom, the bus stopped many times (it had so many long breaks that I found it unusual even for Nepal). We even stopped at the Rupse Waterfall – which was pretty nice and it felt like we were on some kind of day trip!
Overall, the best is to prepare for a really long and tiring journey.
Pokhara to Jomsom Road Condition
The road from Pokhara to Jomsom is actually not so bad. I previously heard that the road is not in a good condition but overall, it was better than I expected.
The road is narrow in some parts and it is not concrete all the way, but it is still better than many other roads in Nepal.
Lots of people visit Muktinath by going in their own cars and motorbikes, and the road from Pokhara to Jomsom is good enough for all types of vehicles to pass.
Pokhara to Jomsom Bus
The buses go from Zero Km and Prithvi Chowk every day between 7-9 am. If you are staying in Lakeside, then Zero KM is closer, so that should be the stop where you get on the bus.
I recommend to take the bus at 7 am, or the earliest bus which is available, as the drive is long. The bus that leaves at 7 am, usually gets to Jomsom around 3-4 pm.
The buses vary, some buses are like proper local buses, others are a bit better but still not like the tourist buses that go on the more popular routes like Kathmandu-Pokhara.
Pokhara to Jomsom Bus Ticket Price
The bus ticket from Pokhara to Jomsom costs Rs. 1,200 (USD 9).
In case you buy your ticket at a travel agency or ask your hotel to get the ticket for you, then it might be a little bit more expensive as they add commission on top.
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Pokhara to Jomsom Jeep / Minivan
There are also jeeps (minivans) that go between Pokhara and Jomsom, however, they tend to be less comfortable as there are usually many people in a jeep.
The jeeps go from Zero KM and Prithvi Chowk, but you may be able to arrange that the jeep comes to pick you up from your hotel.
The jeeps leave between 7-8 am and get to Jomsom around 3-4 pm. The jeeps may be a little bit faster than the bus, but usually they take around the same time.
Pokhara to Jomsom Jeep Fare
The jeep ticket costs Rs. 1,800 (USD 13) in a sharing jeep if you get your ticket on Bussewa or Esewa. If your hotel arranges the ticket, it may be bit a more expensive.
Where to Buy the Bus/ Jeep Tickets
When it comes to buying the bus and jeep tickets, you can get it online on BusSewa, directly at the ticket counter, or also hotel staff can arrange it for you.
Online
BusSewa is an online ticket booking platform and it works great to buy bus and jeep tickets in Nepal. They usually have the net price, so you don’t pay any commission on top of the tickets.
Payments also work using international bank cards. After you book the ticket, you get a text and email confirmation. You also get the contact details of the bus company, so you can call to confirm the pick up time and location.
Ticket Counter
There is a bus and jeep ticket counter at Zero KM in Pokhara where they sell tickets to Jomsom. Possibly there is also a ticket counter at Prithvi Chowk, but if you stay at Lakeside then the one at Zero KM is closer.
At your Hotel
If you want to save time and don’t want any stress organizing the ticket for yourself, you can also ask the staff at your hotel to get a ticket for you to Jomsom.
They usually add a commission on top of the ticket, but it is the most stress-free option to get your ticket. Also ask if the jeep can pick you up from the hotel.
Bus Vs Jeep: Which One is Better?
The buses and jeeps generally to take the same amount of time when travelling in Nepal. I used to think that jeeps are faster, but after testing out several routes in Nepal, they usually tend to be the same.
Additionally, the buses tend to be more comfortable. What happens is that jeeps can get overly crowded, and you don’t have a proper seat for yourself.
Whereas on the bus, you get a seat assigned to you, so it is more comfortable. The best is to get a seat in the front of the bus as the further back you sit, the bumpier it is.
Pokhara to Jomsom Flight
Taking a flight from Pokhara to Jomsom is also an option. The flight takes only 20 minutes, so it is a good option if you want to save some time and don’t want to travel for the whole day by bus or jeep.
The flights usually leave in the morning between 6-8 am and it is best to book the first flight in the morning. The flights can be delayed due to bad weather, so the earlier your flight is, the more chance you have to fly out.
The flight ticket from Pokhara to Jomsom costs USD 160 for foreigners, NPR 10,600 (USD 75) for Indian nationals, and Rs. 6,000 (USD 45) for Nepali nationals.
Getting Back from Jomsom to Pokhara
To return from Jomsom to Pokhara, you have the same options to go by bus, jeep or flight.
There are 3-4 buses between 8 am – 2 pm that leave Muktinath to Pokhara. The buses pass by Jomsom, and you can arrange a ticket to get on there. The best is to get a ticket one day before, so that your seat is guaranteed.
The bus ticket from Jomsom to Pokhara costs Rs. 1,200 (USD 9) and takes around 6-7 hours. The way down from Jomsom to Pokhara is a little bit faster than the way up from Pokhara to Jomsom.
Lower Mustang Travel Guides
I found Lower Mustang is very different and unique in comparison to other places in Nepal. For some inspiration, check out my travel guides for Lower Mustang here:
FAQs: How to Get from Pokhara to Jomsom
How do I go from Pokhara to Jomsom?
You can go from Pokhara to Jomsom by bus, jeep or flight. Alternatively, the road is also in an okay condition to go by private cars or motorbikes.
The buses and jeeps leave from Zero KM and Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara at 7-9 am, and get to Jomsom around 4-6 pm. The bus ticket costs Rs. 1,200 (USD 9), and the jeep ticket costs Rs. 1,800 (USD 13).
The flight from Pokhara to Jomsom leave between 6-8 am and takes only 20 minutes. It costs USD 160 for foreigners, NPR 10,600 (USD 75) for Indian nationals, and Rs. 6,000 (USD 45) for Nepali nationals.
How is the road from Pokhara to Jomsom?
The road from Pokhara to Jomsom is not so bad.
There are sections that are narrow, and it is not a concrete road all the way. Still, generally it is okay to drive, and you can also go to Jomsom in a private car or motorbike.
Can I drive to Jomsom, Nepal?
Yes, you can drive to Jomsom. The road from Pokhara to Jomsom is overall not so bad. There are sections that are dirt road, and sections that are concrete.
Many people visit Muktinath driving their own vehicles (cars, motorbikes). While the road is not all the way concrete, it is still manageable to drive.
How to get from Kathmandu to Jomsom?
To get from Kathmandu to Jomsom, you first have to go from Kathmandu to Pokhara, and then from Pokhara to Jomsom.
You can travel both trips by bus, jeep or flight – depending on the time and budget you have.
If you take the bus, then the bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes one day of travel, then overnight in Pokhara, and the next morning you can take another bus from Pokhara to Jomsom.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jomsom is 158 km from Pokhara and you can travel to Jomsom by bus, jeep or flight.
The road from Pokhara to Jomsom is not so bad. There are sections that are narrow, and it is not a concrete road all the way. Still, generally it is okay to drive, and you can also go to Jomsom in a private car or motorbike.
The buses and jeeps leave from Zero KM and Prithvi Chowk in Pokhara at 7-9 am, and get to Jomsom around 4-6 pm. The bus ticket costs Rs. 1,200 (USD 9), and the jeep ticket costs Rs. 1,800 (USD 13).
The flights from Pokhara to Jomsom leave between 6-8 am and takes only 20 minutes. It costs USD 160 for foreigners, NPR 10,600 (USD 75) for Indian nationals, and Rs. 6,000 (USD 45) for Nepali nationals.
