From Patna, Nepal is a road trip. Crossing at Raxaul–Birgunj, you reach Chitwan National Park in about 3–4 hours for a jeep safari and canoe ride, then continue to Kathmandu for Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur. A 5–6 night Chitwan–Kathmandu–Pokhara circuit by private car costs roughly ₹28,000–45,000 per person at 3-star, twin sharing. The Manakamana cable car is an easy stop on the road between Chitwan and Kathmandu. Many Bihar families travel during the Dussehra and winter holidays, when the weather is dry.
Janakpur, the birthplace of Sita and home of the Janaki Mandir, is a short trip from north Bihar via Jaynagar, where a cross-border passenger railway runs to Janakpur and Kurtha. Vivah Panchami in November or December is its main festival. For eastern Nepal, the Jogbani–Biratnagar crossing in Araria district leads to Koshi Tappu and flights to Kathmandu. October–March is the best season for road travel; the monsoon months bring floods in the Terai and landslides on hill roads.
Flying from Patna
Direct flights between Patna and Kathmandu have not been a regular feature, so most travellers connect via Delhi or Kolkata, with a total journey of about 4–6 hours, landing at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Often the quicker option is to drive to Birgunj and fly from nearby Simara airport to Kathmandu in about 20 minutes, or to drive to Janakpur and fly from there in about 25 minutes. Schedules change, so check current status before you travel.
By road from Patna
Raxaul–Birgunj is about 200–220 km from Patna via Muzaffarpur and Motihari, roughly 5–6 hours. From Birgunj, Chitwan (Sauraha) is about 130 km and 3–4 hours, and Kathmandu about 270 km and 7–9 hours via Hetauda and Mugling. For Janakpur, cross at Jaynagar or Bhitthamore. Jogbani–Biratnagar is about 350–380 km from Patna via Purnia, for eastern Nepal. Indian cars need a bhansar customs permit at the border.
By train to the border
Raxaul Junction is the main railhead for Birgunj, with trains from Patna, usually via Muzaffarpur, in roughly 5–7 hours. For Janakpur, take a train to Jaynagar and board the cross-border passenger train to Janakpur and Kurtha, run on the Nepal side. Jogbani station serves the Biratnagar crossing.
Documents for Indian travellers
Indian citizens need no visa for Nepal. At Raxaul, Jaynagar or Jogbani, carry a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card, as officials may check. Children under 15 should carry photo ID showing age, such as a school ID, and 15–18 year olds without a passport a school principal's identity certificate. Aadhaar is not accepted as a travel document for adults. Bring your car's papers for a bhansar permit if driving. Check current status before you travel.
Tips for travellers from Patna
- Cross at Raxaul early in the morning, before truck queues build at the Birgunj crossing.
- Visit Chitwan first, then Kathmandu, to break the 7–9 hour drive from Birgunj.
- Use the Jaynagar–Janakpur train for a simple day or overnight trip to the Janaki Mandir.
- Avoid July and August for road travel, when Terai floods and hill landslides cause long delays.
- Carry ₹100 notes and smaller, as larger Indian notes are not always accepted in Nepal.
