How to Travel to Lumbini, Nepal (Bus, Flights)
Lumbini is said to be the birthplace of Buddha. The town is located in the south, Terai Region of Nepal, near the border to India.
The distance from Kathmandu to Lumbini is almost 300 km. Usually, there are night buses going to Lumbini but there are also a few day buses. The bus journey takes about 12 hours to get to Lumbini, so prepare for a long bus journey. Read here about how to take the bus to Lumbini.
Check out the best things to do in Lumbini here!
How to Buy the Bus Ticket
- At a travel agency
- Through your hotel/hostel
- At the Bus Park (ticket counter)
- Online using eSewa: Read here how to book bus tickets using the eSewa App
If you want to browse bus tickets just to give you an idea, check out the BusSewa website. Here you can browse all buses between location, as well as check pick up and drop off locations.
Which Type of Buses Go to Lumbini
A/C Bus: A/C buses go between Kathmandu and Lumbini. However, most of the times, the bus will terminate in Bhairawa and then you will have to change to a local bus going to Lumbini. If you get this ticket, then the fare for the local bus will also be included in your ticket and you will not have to pay extra. The local bus takes about 30 minutes to get to Lumbini.
Tourist Bus (Tourist A/C, Sofa Seat): The tourist buses only operate between Kathmandu and Bhairawa. It is a more comfortable option to travel. Once you get to Bhairawa, you will have to change to a local bus to get to Lumbini. The local bus takes about 30 minutes and costs Rs. 100.
Bus Ticket Price to Lumbini
- A/C Bus: Rs. 1,200-1,400
- Tourist Bus: Rs. 1,500
- Local Bus from Bhairawa to Lumbini: around Rs. 100
How to Travel from Kathmandu to Lumbini by Bus
There are buses going to Lumbini on a daily basis. There are some day buses leaving around 7 am in the morning. In addition, there are also lot of night buses too that go to Lumbini. The journey takes up the whole day or whole night, as it is a long journey. Most of the buses will drop you in Bhairawa, and from there, you will have to catch a local bus to Lumbini. If you buy a bus ticket that has the destination as Lumbini, then you should not have to pay for the local bus in Bhairawa when you change buses.
Where is the Bus Stand in Kathmandu?
The buses leave from the Gongabu Bus Park (also called as Naya/New Bus Park). It is also possible to get on the bus in Kalanki. If you get on the bus on the Ring Road, make sure to call the contact person the day before to confirm the pick up location.
How to Travel from Pokhara to Lumbini by Bus
There are about 3 buses daily that go from Pokhara to Lumbini. The buses leave between 7-8:30 am in the morning and reaches Lumbini in about 8 hours. The roads can be unpredictable (road closures) so it is best to prepare mentally to spend the whole day on the bus journey. There are options for both A/C and tourist buses (sofa seater) to travel with. The bus might drop you at Bhairawa where you will have to change to a local bus to Lumbini. If so, check if your ticket includes the ride until Lumbini. If so, you will not have to pay for the local bus. The local bus usually takes 30 minutes and costs around Rs. 100.
Where is the Bus Stand in Pokhara?
The buses leave from the Tourist Bus Park in Pokhara. It is about 30 minutes’ walk from Lakeside, or alternatively, you can take a taxi. There are lots of taxis around Lakeside early morning – all just waiting for travellers going to the bus station.
Kathmandu to Lumbini Flights
Flying to Lumbini is also an option if you are looking for a quicker and more comfortable journey to Lumbini than taking the bus. The closest airport to Lumbini is the Bhairahawa Airport (also called the Gautam Buddha Airport). Buddha Air is one of Nepal’s more reliable plane companies and you can check the tickets on their website. There are daily flights to Bhairahawa, it takes 40 minutes and costs around USD 86.
Once you land in Bhairahawa, you will have to take a local bus to Lumbini. The local bus will still take about 1 hour to get to Lumbini but it is much faster than taking a bus all the way from Kathmandu.
