How to Travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu (Bus, Flights)
Looking for information on how to travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu?
I have visited Pokhara many times and here is all the information you need on how to get from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is about 200 km away from Pokhara and you have the options to travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu either by bus or flights.
The flights take only 30 minutes, while buses take around 10-12 hours to get from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Both the flights and buses have a frequent, daily schedule. The morning buses leave every morning from the Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara around 7 am. While, you also have the option for night buses from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
How to Travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu by Bus
How to Buy the Tourist Bus Ticket Going to Kathmandu
The most popular options to buy bus tickets in Nepal include:
- Through your hostel/hotel
- Travel agency
If you want to browse bus tickets online in Nepal, check out:
BusSewa.com: BusSewa is an online platform where you can browse bus tickets. It is not possible to pay here using international bank cards. They only accept payment through Nepali digital payment apps, such as eSewa.
Still, BusSewa is a good platform to check the bus tickets to give you an idea of the options for buses, schedule and prices.
If you stay in Nepal long-term, you can find my guide here how to set up eSewa and pay for bus tickets online. eSewa is great for buying bus tickets online but I think it’s worth the most for those that stay in Nepal long-term.
Pokhara to Kathmandu Bus Ticket Price
The tourist bus ticket is between Rs. 1,000 – 2,000.
The cheaper tickets are for general tourist or Deluxe buses, while the slightly more expensive (Rs. 1,600-2,000) are for the more comfortable sofa seat type of buses.
The sofa seat tourist buses are run by Swift Holidays and Baba Adventure.
Pokhara to Kathmandu Bus Schedule
There are both day and night buses operating between Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Day Bus: The day buses leave between 6-8 am from Pokhara and takes 10-12 hours to reach Kathmandu.
Night Bus: The night buses leave Pokhara around 7-8 pm in the evening and arrive in Kathmandu around 6 am the next morning.
It is best to arrive at the bus park about 30 minutes before the departure time to make sure you locate your bus and get your assigned seat.
Where to Get on the Bus in Pokhara?
The buses to Kathmandu leave from the Pokhara Tourist Bus Park. The Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara is about 30 minutes’ walk from Lakeside.
You can also take a taxi to get here, usually, there are lots of taxis in Pokhara in the early morning.
Pokhara to Kathmandu Distance
The road distance from Pokhara to Kathmandu is 200km. The road is under construction so overall, the journey from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes between 10-12 hours.
It is best to consider that you will spend the entire day on the bus and in case you reach Kathmandu in less than 10 hours, it is a success.
What is the Bus Journey like Between Pokhara and Kathmandu?
The Prithvi Highway connects Pokhara and Kathmandu and is one of the most frequently travelled roads in Nepal. However, the road has been under construction for years and lots of sections of the road is very bumpy. The journey usually takes between 10-12 hours.
Usually, most tourist buses will have an AC or fans on during the hotter months. In addition, there is also a 1L bottled water included in the price of the ticket that they will distribute to passengers. There is no wifi on the buses despite of some of the advertisements.
Pokhara to Kathmandu Flight
Although the majority of people travel by bus in Nepal (as it is cheaper), there are many daily flights that connect Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Flying is a much quicker and comfortable option as opposed to taking the bus through the bumpy and dusty mountain roads. So, if you are short on time, flying is a good option.
Buddha Air is one of the more reliable airlines in Nepal and you can easily book a flight through their website. The flight takes 30 minutes to Kathmandu and costs USD 100 for foreigners.
Tips for taking a flight in Nepal
Book a morning flight
The earlier your flight is, the most chance you have of flying out that day. Flights often get delayed or cancelled due to bad weather.
Once the weather clears, they start the flights take off in the order they were supposed to fly.
This means that if you were going to fly on the first flight in the morning, your flight will be the first one to fly out. If you were on a later flight, your flight might get delayed to the next day.
FAQ: How to Travel from Pokhara to Kathmandu
How do I get from Pokhara to Kathmandu?
There are two main options to travel to Kathmandu from Pokhara:
- Day and Night Buses: frequent, daily buses between Pokhara and Kathmandu. Costs around Rs. 1,000-2,000.
- Flights: frequent, daily flights connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu. Costs USD 100 for foreigners.
How long does it take to go from Pokhara to Kathmandu by bus?
It takes around 10-12 hours to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara by bus. It usually takes the whole day due to the roadworks on the highway.
How is the road from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
The road between Kathmandu and Pokhara has been under construction for years. The sections of the highway which is not yet finished, makes the bus trip very bumpy and dusty.
Due to the roadworks, the journey between Kathmandu and Pokhara takes much longer than it should. It usually takes around 10-12 hours.
How long is the flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu?
The flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu is only 30 minutes long. It is much faster than taking the bus, although it is also a bit pricier. It costs USD 100 for foreigners one-way.
How far is Pokhara to Kathmandu by train?
There is no train service between Pokhara and Kathmandu. In fact, there is not really any train service in Nepal.
Nepal only has 1 railway station in Janakpur. Janakpur is in south of Nepal, close to India. The railway connecting Janakpur to India is very short, with only a few small trains operating each day. Most people who use this railway are those commuting for work between Nepal and India.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, there are frequent, daily buses and flights connecting Pokhara and Kathmandu.
The buses take 10-12 hours but it is a very affordable way to travel at the cost of Rs. 1,000-2,000 for a bus ticket.
The flights are much faster, only 30 minutes from Pokhara to Kathmandu and cost USD 100 for foreigners.
