Sonauli–Belahiya, about 95 km from Gorakhpur, is the busiest crossing for travellers. It leads straight to Bhairahawa and Lumbini, about 30 km away, and on to Pokhara (about 185 km, 7–8 hours) or Kathmandu (about 280 km, 8–10 hours). Raxaul–Birgunj, about 200–220 km from Patna, is the main trade crossing and the quickest road into Chitwan (about 130 km, 3–4 hours) and Kathmandu (about 270 km, 7–9 hours via Hetauda). Rupaidiha–Nepalgunj, about 180–190 km from Lucknow, leads to Bardia National Park and Nepalgunj airport, the gateway for Simikot and Kailash.
In the east, Panitanki–Kakarbhitta, about 35 km from Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri, suits travellers from West Bengal, the Northeast and Darjeeling, with the Ilam tea gardens about 3 hours away and flights from nearby Bhadrapur to Kathmandu. Jogbani–Biratnagar, in Bihar's Araria district, leads to Biratnagar airport and Koshi Tappu. In the far west, Banbasa–Mahendranagar, near Tanakpur in Uttarakhand, is the closest crossing to Delhi by road, about 330–350 km, and leads to Shuklaphanta National Park. Third-country nationals can use these crossings but need a Nepal visa.
Indian cars and motorcycles can enter Nepal with a customs permit called bhansar, issued at the border against the registration certificate, driving licence and insurance, with a daily fee. The number of days allowed each year is limited, and hill roads need confident drivers: Nepal's highways are narrow, landslide-prone in the monsoon and slow, often 30–40 km per hour in the hills. Many travellers prefer to leave their car in India and hire a Nepali vehicle with a driver. Vehicle permit rules and fees change, so check current status before you travel.
How to choose
- Pick the crossing nearest your goal
Choose Sonauli for Lumbini, Pokhara and Muktinath; Raxaul for Chitwan and Kathmandu; Rupaidiha for Bardia and Kailash via Simikot; Kakarbhitta or Jogbani for eastern Nepal and Ilam. Banbasa suits travellers from Uttarakhand and western Uttar Pradesh heading for Shuklaphanta and the far west.
- Drive yourself or hire locally
Driving your own car gives freedom but means a bhansar permit, steep hill roads and Nepali traffic rules. Hiring a Nepali car and driver at the border avoids permits and local navigation, and often costs less than you expect. Motorcycle groups should plan shorter riding days in the hills.
- Arrive at the border early
Cross in the morning so you reach your first night stop before dark, as night driving on Nepal's hill roads is risky. Customs offices for vehicle permits keep office hours and can be slow at busy times. Allow 30–90 minutes for paperwork at Sonauli or Raxaul.
- Mix road and air on long routes
Kathmandu is 7–10 hours from most crossings. Many travellers drive in to Lumbini or Chitwan, fly the long leg to Kathmandu from Bhairahawa, Bharatpur, Biratnagar or Nepalgunj in under an hour, then fly home from Kathmandu. It saves a day without losing the overland experience.
