Kathmandu to Pokhara: Tourist Bus, Flight or Private Car?

There are three main ways to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara: a tourist bus, a short domestic flight, or a private car. Each has its place.

Tourist bus

The cheapest option. Buses leave in the morning from Kathmandu and arrive in Pokhara in about seven to nine hours, with a stop for lunch. You do not choose the stops, the schedule or the seat neighbours, and luggage space can be limited.

Flight

Around 25 to 30 minutes in the air, with a mountain view on a clear morning. Flights depend on weather and can be delayed or cancelled, especially in the monsoon and in winter fog. Add airport transfers and check-in time, and the saving over the road is smaller than it looks.

Private car with driver

About six to eight hours, but you decide when to leave and where to stop: a riverside lunch, the Manakamana cable car, a night in Bandipur. It costs more than the bus, but for two or more people it often compares well per person, and the road becomes part of the trip.

Which is right for you?

• Solo and on a tight budget: the tourist bus
• Short on time and the weather is clear: the flight
• Couples, families and groups who want flexibility: a private car or van
• Carrying trekking gear or lots of luggage: a private vehicle

Ask us for a quote for your dates and group size. We can arrange a driver for this leg and self-drive once you reach Pokhara.