How to Get to Bandipur by Bus (Tickets, Prices)

Looking for information on how to get to Bandipur?

Bandipur is a small town 145 km from Kathmandu and it is located about halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. There are no direct buses going to Bandipur. So first, you have to take a bus to Dumre and then change to another bus in Dumre to Bandipur.

Dumre can be reached easily by any bus operating between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Dumre is 135 km from Kathmandu and takes around 7-8 hours to get there by bus. While, Dumre is 66 km from Pokhara and takes 4 hours to get there by bus. Once you get to Dumre, it takes 30 minutes to get to Bandipur by bus.

I loved my visit to Bandipur and it can can be a great place to stop on your way to Pokhara or just to make a trip to Bandipur to explore the town.

Here is everything you need to know about how to get to Bandipur, including bus schedule and tickets!

How to Buy Bus Tickets to Bandipur

1. Travel Agency: You can easily buy the bus tickets at travel agencies in Thamel or Pokhara. Whenever you book tourist bus tickets through a travel agency, the ticket prices will be slightly higher as they also add on a commission fee.

2. At Your Hotel: Most of the hotels are also be able to arrange bus tickets for travellers. Usually, you can ask about bus tickets at the reception and they will be able to book it for you.

3. Online on BusSewa: It is now 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 and here you can read my tips and tricks for booking bus tickets online in Nepal.

4. At the Bus Park: If you want to organize it by yourself, you can also go to the Bus Park to get the bus ticket to Dumre. The bus park for Dumre/Bandipur in Kathmandu is the Gongabu Bus Park. While, the bus park for Dumre/Bandipur in Pokhara is the Pokhara Tourist Bus Park.

Kathmandu to Bandipur Bus

Kathmandu to Bandipur Bus Ticket Price:

The bus ticket price from Kathmandu to Bandipur is between Rs. 1,100-1,700. This is the price for the tourist bus that goes from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You have to pay the full price even though you will be getting off in Dumre.

From Dumre to Bandipur, the price of the bus ticket is Rs. 100.

Kathmandu to Bandipur Distance:

Bandipur is 145 km from Kathmandu and takes about 7-8 hours to get there by bus.

Kathmandu to Bandipur Bus Time:

The buses leave around 6-8 am in the morning from Kathmandu to Pokhara and you will have to get off at Dumre. Once in Dumre, the bus from Dumre to Bandipur goes about once an hour and takes 30 minutes to get there.

Kathmandu to Bandipur Road Condition:

The Prithvi Highway that connects Kathmandu and Pokhara has been under construction for a few years. Due to the roadworks, travel to Bandipur can take longer.

Kathmandu to Dumre Bus

To get to Bandipur, first you will have to take a bus to Dumre. Getting to Dumre is fairly easy as you just have to take a bus that goes from Kathmandu to Pokhara. All these buses stop in Dumre, which is the closest town to Bandipur. Usually, you have to buy the full price ticket as if you were going all the way to Pokhara – it is not possible to buy a ticket only up to Dumre.

Dumre to Bandipur Bus

By Bus: It takes about 30 minutes by bus and costs Rs. 100.

By Taxi: It takes about 15 minutes by taxi and costs Rs. 600.

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How Long is the Bus Journey to Dumre

It takes about 6-7 hours to reach Dumre from Kathmandu. Once you get to Dumre, you have to take another bus to Bandipur. 

Where to Get on the Bus in Kathmandu

The buses to Pokhara (thus, Dumre and Bandipur) go from the Sorhakhutte Tourist Bus Stop (near Thamel) . It is right next to Thamel, only a few minutes’ walk away.

Kathmandu to Dumre Minivan

• Kathmandu to Dumre Minivan Ticket Price: Rs. 600

Every morning there are also minivans going towards Pokhara from Lotse Mall (Gongabu Bus Park/Naya Bus Park). If you take the minivan, you can book the ticket the day before or you can even just show up in the morning.

If you just show up in the morning, you may not be able to get a good seat in the minivan but rather just be assigned to a seat that is still available.

Pokhara to Bandipur Bus

Pokhara to Dumre Bus

If you are travelling from Pokhara, you will have to get on the buses that go towards Kathmandu. Get off the bus in Dumre and then change to another bus to Bandipur.

Dumre is 66 km from Pokhara and it takes about 4 hours to get from Pokhara to Dumre. Then, another 30 minutes by local bus from Dumre to Bandipur.

Generally, you have to pay for the full ticket price when you book the bus ticket from Pokhara to Kathmandu, and then get off at Dumre.

Dumre to Bandipur Bus

By Bus: It takes about 30 minutes by bus and costs Rs. 100.

By Taxi: It takes about 15 minutes by taxi and costs Rs. 600.

Where to Get on the Bus in Pokhara

The tourist buses all leave from the Pokhara Tourist Bus Park. It is about 30 minutes’ walk from Lakeside or you can also grab a taxi. The buses leave around 7 am in the morning.

Chitwan to Bandipur Bus

Chitwan to Dumre Bus

If you are travelling from Chitwan to Bandipur, then you will have to take a bus that’s going from Sauraha to Pokhara. Then, about half way through, you have to get off at Dumre. Dumre is the closest town to Bandipur on the highway, and from Dumre you can easily get a bus going to Bandipur.

Dumre to Bandipur Bus

Once you get to Dumre, from there, Bandipur is just a short bus ride away. By bus it takes about 30 minutes to reach Bandipur. There are also options to take a taxi.

By Bus: It takes about 30 minutes by bus and costs Rs. 100.

By Taxi: It takes about 15 minutes by taxi and costs Rs. 600.

Where to Get on the Bus in Sauraha (Chitwan)

The buses leave every morning around 7 am from the Sauraha Tourist Bus Park.

Best Things to Do in Bandipur

Bandipur is a charming town halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. It is famous for its buildings built in Newari architecture that the local community has put a lot of efforts into preserving.

If you are not sure what activities are there in Bandipur, here some of the best things to do in Bandipur:

• Hike up to the Thani Mai Temple and see the sunrise or sunset
• Siddha Gufa: Nepal’s largest cave
• Hike from Bandipur to Ramkot
• Check out the Newari architecture of Bandipur
• Visit the Silkworm Farm (best time to visit is from April to October)
• Eat and drink in one of the cute cafes and restaurants in Bandipur
• Try Newari food

Hotels in Bandipur

Looking for a place to stay in Bandipur? Here are our top recommendations for every budget:

FAQs: How to Get to Bandipur

How do I get from Kathmandu to Bandipur?

To get from Kathmandu to Bandipur, first you have to take a bus from Kathmandu to Dumre. Then, take another bus from Dumre to Bandipur.

Dumre is about 5-6 hours from Kathmandu and then the local bus from Dumre to Bandipur takes 30 minutes.

How many kilometres from Kathmandu to Bandipur?

Bandipur is 145 km from Kathmandu and takes about 7-8 hours to get there by bus.

How far is Dumre from Kathmandu by bus?

Dumre is around 135 km from Kathmandu and it takes 5-6 hours by bus to get from Kathmandu to Dumre.

How far is Dumre from Pokhara by bus?

Dumre is 66 km from Pokhara and takes around 4 hours to get there by bus.

How do I go from Pokhara to Bandipur?

To get from Pokhara to Bandipur, first you have to take a bus from Pokhara to Dumre, then change to another bus from Dumre to Bandipur. The bus from Pokhara to Dumre takes around 4 hours, then the bus from Dumre to Bandipur is another 30 minutes.

Conclusion

Bandipur is a small town located halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. There are no direct buses going to Bandipur. So first, you have to take a bus to Dumre and then change in Dumre to Bandipur.

Dumre can be reached easily by any bus operating between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Dumre is 135 km from Kathmandu and takes around 7-8 hours to get there by bus. While, Dumre is 66 km from Pokhara and takes 4 hours to get there by bus.

Once you get to Dumre, it takes 30 minutes to get to Bandipur by a local bus. The bus goes once every hour and costs Rs. 100.