Flight 25 min
Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines fly from Kathmandu's domestic terminal to Pokhara International Airport many times a day on ATR and Dash 8 turboprops. Foreigners pay roughly US$ 100–130 one way; Nepali and Indian nationals pay a lower rupee fare, often NPR 4,000–6,500. Sit on the right going west for the Himalaya. Morning flights are the most reliable, the checked baggage allowance is usually about 10–20 kg, and schedules change by season, so check current status before you travel.
Private car 6–8 h
A private car or van with driver follows the Prithvi Highway west via Naubise, down to the Trishuli river, through Kurintar and Mugling, then up the Marsyangdi and Seti valleys via Dumre and Damauli. Expect NPR 14,000–20,000 per vehicle one way, about ₹9,000–13,000. Road widening between Naubise and Mugling still causes slow sections and dust. A car lets you stop where you like: Manakamana for darshan, Bandipur for lunch or a night, or a riverside lunch at Kurintar.
Tourist bus 7–9 h
Tourist buses leave from Kantipath and Sorhakhutte near Thamel at about 7 am and arrive at Pokhara's Tourist Bus Park, a short taxi ride from Lakeside. Standard tourist coaches cost roughly NPR 1,000–2,000; premium services such as Greenline, which include lunch, cost about US$ 25–30. Buses stop for breakfast and lunch at roadside restaurants. They are the cheapest comfortable option, but seats are tight for tall travellers and luggage goes on the roof or in the hold.
Stops on the way
- Naubise
- Kurintar (Manakamana cable car)
- Mugling
- Dumre (turn-off for Bandipur)
- Damauli
- Khairenitar
Drive out and fly back, or the reverse, so that you see Manakamana or Bandipur once without spending two full days on the highway.
Questions travellers ask
How long does it take from Kathmandu to Pokhara by road?
Plan on 6–8 hours by private car and 7–9 hours by tourist bus for the 200 km on the Prithvi Highway. The variation comes from traffic leaving Kathmandu, road works between Naubise and Mugling and the number of stops. Leave by 7 am to arrive in Pokhara by mid-afternoon. In the monsoon, landslides can add several hours.
What is the flight cost from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
Foreign passengers usually pay about US$ 100–130 one way for the 25-minute flight. Nepali and Indian nationals pay a cheaper rupee fare, often around NPR 4,000–6,500 one way depending on date and airline. Fares rise during Dashain, Tihar and the October peak. Our packages that use the flight include the fare and airport transfers.
Is the Kathmandu to Pokhara road safe?
It is the busiest highway in Nepal and is driven daily by thousands of buses and cars. The risks are heavy trucks, narrow sections near the Trishuli river and landslides in the monsoon from June to September. Travel in daylight, use a private car with an experienced driver or a reputable tourist bus, and avoid overnight local buses.
Can I stop at Manakamana on the way to Pokhara?
Yes. The cable car station at Kurintar sits beside the highway, about 105 km and 3.5–4 hours from Kathmandu. The ride takes about 10 minutes each way, and darshan takes 30 minutes to over an hour depending on the queue. Allow 2–3 hours in total, then drive about 3–3.5 hours more to Pokhara.
