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Kathmandu To Pokhara

How to Get From Kathmandu to Pokhara

Are you planning to go on a vacation to Pokhara? Well, you must first figure out how to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara. But figuring out is not the right way to put it when we’ve got your back, explorer! Whether you are looking to travel back home or tour a beautiful destination from the capital city, you have a few good options to rely on. Back and forth, things can get quite simple because the roads are smooth when traveling by road. 

By air, your journey will be less time-consuming. Your journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara offers stunning views of the Himalayas, city life, and the rural parts closer to the cities. You can explore these factors through a bus service or by flight. Be sure to read till the end of this article to know how you can travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara and what factors you need to consider during the journey!

Modes to Get Pokhara From Kathmandu

You can find more than just a mode of transportation to get to Pokhara via Kathmandu. Don’t stress yet! Contacting our travel agency will help you book your journey seamlessly without delay on a date of your wish. The trip is promised to be well-maintained. You will pass through the most significant Highway in Nepal by road and by air, but you can still enjoy a convenient journey with the heartwarming scenery of the Nepalese mountains. Be sure to go through the means of transport below for all the details you’ll need:

Pokhara Buspark

By Road

If you travel by road, you will go to Pokhara by bus. There are deluxe and luxury tourist bus options. When traveling by road, you will go from Kathmandu to Pokhara via Prithvi Highway. You will also enjoy the serene view of the Trishuli River when traveling by road. The ticket prices for tourist buses and deluxe buses are different from one another. The bus service from Kathmandu to Pokhara will provide you with comfortable seats, proper ventilation, and clean stops for food and using the washroom.

By Air 

Flying is often considered a convenient way to commute. When you travel by air from Kathmandu to Pokhara, you will get air-conditioned seats and a low travel time—25 minutes only. The flights will be operated from Tribhuvan Airport. You will enjoy views of Kathmandu, Mount Annapurna, Pokhara, and the Himalayas during your journey. You can catch the last flight before 9 pm. 

Transportation Option To Get Pokhara from Kathmandu

You will get plenty of transportation options to reach Pokhara. As mentioned, you can go by road through a tourist or local bus. Likewise, if you want to hire a jeep or a car for the journey, you also have that option. You can always hire a vehicle or a motorcycle for a road trip between the cities. The arrival times through different means of transportation are different as well. Following are each of the transportation means explained in detail:

Tourist Bus

You can travel by tourist bus if you’re keen on on-road travel. You can be assured that it will be a comfortable and hassle-free trip. Moreover, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery while traveling from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You will reach the Pokhara city within 7 hours of starting your journey. You should get to the bus stop an hour before the buses depart. You can either opt for a day or an evening bus. The cost of a tourist bus per person is $25. There will be facilities for getting papers to read, snacks, and water bottles. 

Local Bus

Anyone on a budget can choose to travel by a local bus. Local buses can go both to Pokhara and Kathmandu. The trip will cost around $7 to $8 compared to the luxury tourist bus. You will be comfortable on this bus even though the space is likely more congested than the tourist bus. You will still get a well-ventilated sitting space and spacious seats like the tourist bus. 

Private Car or Jeep

This is one of the most expensive options if traveling by the road. When you hire a private car or jeep, you will be sent to Pokhara with a dependable driver. It is recommended that passengers share a vehicle in a group to lessen the costs per head. Many travelers choose this option option because it is pretty comfortable and safe. Both car and jeep will cost you from $129 to $170. Your route with a private vehicle will be the same as the bus route. The total travel time is 6-7 hours

Flight 

A flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is an affordable option for travelers who consider it convenient. Traveling to Pokhara by flight will cost around $40 to $50 per head when going one way. You will be dropped off at the Pokhara airport. Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines are the most common airlines that can be your flying partner. An interesting element about flying is getting the most terrific views of the Annapurna Mountain range on your journey. 

Hiring a vehicle or Motorcycle 

Travelers can choose to travel by road by hiring a vehicle from Kathmandu. This may especially be useful for adventurers who want to feel the thrill of going on a road trip with their friends. You can always find a dependable van, jeep, bus, or car if you’re traveling with family. Similarly, if you’re traveling individually or with a single partner, you can always opt for a motorcycle hire. Hiring vehicles without drivers through different vehicle rentals will cost you differently. 

Kathmandu to Pokhara Route 

A visit to Pokhara, the land of Phewa Lake, the World Peace Pagoda, and the sunrise point at Sarangkot from Kathmandu is as exciting as imaginable. If you commute by bus, usually from Thamel, you will begin your journey from the tourist bus park. Travelers looking to save time can always fly between the cities in 30 minutes at most, and they are looking to travel by road to go through the natural wonders on the way. 

The road will take you through the busiest highway in Nepal, along the Trishuli River, Manakamana temple, Kurintar, and Royal Beach, Nepal. You can also visit the Begnas lake on your way. You will be dropped off at the Pokhara tourist bus stop by the end of the commute. Overall, you won’t face many issues during the travel besides slight traffic on the Prithvi Highway. Most of the roadways between the two locations are simple and smooth and exclude the traffic every traveler dreads! 

Distance Between Kathmandu and Pokhara 

The distance covered by the Kathmandu to Pokhara bus is 200 km. This distance is not extensive compared to the travel to other destinations in Nepal from Kathmandu. Because of its short distance, Pokhara is one of the most common places for a weekend getaway, even for the locals in Kathmandu. During monsoon and the peak seasons, you may face traffic between the journeys. 

This may make the travelers feel like they are traveling a longer distance than they are. The bus departure time, along with the time you arrive at the bus stop or the airport, is likely to give you a feeling of having traveled for a longer or a shorter time. Since you will be picked up and dropped off at the exact locations by road or by flight, the distance covered does not differ regardless of the means of transportation you choose. 

Views on the way to Pokhara from Kathmandu

There is a great variety of views from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You will witness the beauty of Swoyambhunath’s stupa at the beginning of your travel along the way. Another fascinating landmark you will see in Kathmandu on your way to Pokhara is Chandagiri Hills. Along the way, you will also pass Manakamana Temple in Gorkha. Travelers will also see lush vegetation, scenic villages, views of mountains including Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, and the very long and busy Prithvi Highways’s interesting appearance.

You will also pass the green Trishuli River, which is green and very pleasant to look at. Besides this, you will pass the little town of Bandipur, which is quite beautiful and full of habitats. Majorly you can see cities with many shops along the way. Even as you reach Pokhara, you will see busy roads for most of the trip. As the trip continues, you will also be among greenery at many points. 

Tips for Booking Transportation

Plenty of tips will come in handy for a stress-free and smooth journey to Pokhara from the capital city. The following are the most relevant and useful ones you’ll need to follow to first book your transportation:

  • Know your needs: You must know your needs before you book transportation. If you’re journeying with a group, you must book a ride or transport accordingly. You can choose the same transportation if you’re traveling solo to Pokhara. 
  • Booking: Journeyors can book their transportation in advance to avoid hassle shortly. Last-minute bookings are often troublesome because you may not even get a ticket on time or have any left, especially during the peak seasons. 
  • Communicate clearly with the representatives: For a smooth journey, you must communicate all your needs and demands clearly with your agency’s representatives. Know what you’re getting in the packages, how long the travel will be for the day, and everything else you’re curious about.
  • Go for a journey on a budget: You must set a budget for ease and a pocket-friendly journey. When you don’t set a budget for your transportation and get a bill, it may come off as a shocking factor. 
Pokhara Airport

Common Mistakes and Measures to Avoid During Travel

The journeyors can make common mistakes from the capital city to Pokhara. But, with errors, there are just as many measures to avoid them. Following are all you need to know about either:

Common Mistake 

You may make the mistake of not correctly researching your destination. Going from Kathmandu to Pokhara is a short journey, and you won’t need a guide. Sometimes, panicking before you book your journey and doing things unnecessarily often becomes a problem. Arriving late at the bus stop or the airport can be an issue. Unknowingly, you may also make the mistake of eating the wrong food at the right time, which may cause nausea

Measure to Avoid Mistakes 

Journeyers can do proper research. Taking ideas for the journey from this article will help you. And you don’t need a guide. A little research will go a long way. One should always make sure to arrive at the bus and airplane points on time. The drivers will often wait for you for a short time but won’t delay the journey for others in the exact same vehicle. Airlines have stricter rules in such cases. Lastly, be careful what you eat before and during your journey to avoid nausea and vomiting

Final Words 

Going from Kathmandu to Pokhara is a common topic of curiosity when you’re on a trip to Nepal. Even if you are a local in Nepal but have not traveled to the destination before, you need not worry too much. Simply follow the instructions and keep in mind the information we’ve written in this article. We guarantee you that the time taken to go back and forth between the locations won’t take long and will possibly be very comfortable, too. Happy journey ahead!

Dibesh Pudasaini
Our trekking guide, Mr. Pudasaini is a licensed trekking guide who looks out for the best experience of our trekkers and is also responsible for their safe journey. He is also was born in Gorkha district of Nepal. He helps trekkers in decision-making when it’s tough in the places with high altitude. Although he has 9 years of guiding experience, he’s been a part of our team since 2015. Mr. Pudasaini has been guiding treks around places like Annapurna Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek & Upper Mustang. He is an active team member with a lot of stories to share about The Himalayas.