Most Delhi travellers fly. With a morning flight you can be at Boudhanath by lunch, which makes a long-weekend Kathmandu break realistic and a 6-night circuit to Pokhara and Chitwan easy to fit into a week's leave. Popular trips from Delhi include the Kathmandu–Pokhara–Chitwan loop, an Everest helicopter tour or mountain flight added to a city break, and the Pashupatinath–Muktinath pilgrimage. October–November and March–April are the busiest months, and fares rise sharply around Diwali, Christmas and long weekends, so book early.
Driving from Delhi is possible but long. The quickest road into central Nepal runs via the Yamuna and Agra–Lucknow expressways to Lucknow, then on to Gorakhpur and the Sonauli border, roughly 900 km and 14–16 hours, so most drivers break the trip in Lucknow. For the far west, the Banbasa crossing is closer, about 330–350 km via Bareilly and Pilibhit. A popular compromise is the overnight train to Gorakhpur, then a car to Lumbini and Pokhara, flying home from Kathmandu.
Flying from Delhi
Air India, IndiGo and Nepal Airlines have operated direct Delhi–Kathmandu flights, with several departures a day and a flight time of about 1 hour 40 minutes into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Morning departures give you a free afternoon in Kathmandu. Fares are lowest when booked four to six weeks ahead outside festival periods. There are no regular direct flights from Delhi to Bhairahawa (Gautam Buddha International); for Lumbini, fly to Kathmandu and connect on a 35-minute domestic flight. Schedules and airlines change, so check current status before you travel.
By road from Delhi
Two border crossings suit drivers from Delhi. Sonauli–Belahiya, via Lucknow and Gorakhpur, is about 900 km and 14–16 hours on expressways and national highways, and leads to Lumbini (30 km beyond), Pokhara (another 185 km) and Kathmandu (another 280 km). Banbasa–Mahendranagar, in Uttarakhand's Champawat district, is about 330–350 km and 7–8 hours via Moradabad, Bareilly and Pilibhit, but it leads into far-western Nepal, a long way from Kathmandu. Indian cars need a bhansar customs permit at the border.
By train to the border
Many trains run overnight from Delhi to Gorakhpur in about 12–15 hours, making Gorakhpur the most practical railhead for Nepal. From there it is 95 km by road to Sonauli, or take a local train to Nautanwa, about 8 km from the border. Trains also run from Delhi towards Raxaul for Birgunj, and to Tanakpur near the Banbasa crossing.
Documents for Indian travellers
Indian citizens need no visa for Nepal. Adults must carry a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card, and airlines flying from Delhi accept only these two for adults. Children under 15 can travel with a passport or a photo ID showing age, such as a school ID, and 15–18 year olds with an identity certificate from their school principal. Aadhaar and PAN are not accepted as travel documents. OCI cardholders need a Nepal visa. Check current status before you travel.
Tips for travellers from Delhi
- Book the earliest Delhi–Kathmandu flight so you reach your hotel by midday and can sightsee the same afternoon.
- Ask for a window seat on the left side of the plane from Delhi for a chance of Himalayan views on clear mornings.
- Carry Indian ₹100 notes and smaller, as rules on larger notes in Nepal have changed in recent years.
- Add the Everest mountain flight to a Kathmandu break for close views of the highest peaks with no altitude risk.
- Avoid Diwali week and the last week of December if price matters, as fares from Delhi rise sharply.
