However you get around Nepal, you can count on amazing views

29.05.2024 - 16:57 / lonelyplanet.com

Whether you’re traveling around Nepal by air, public bus or private car, you can be sure of a ride that’s incredibly scenic.

Regular domestic flights pass along, between and above the highest mountains in the world. Slower overland travel has the benefit of winding through lush river valleys, beside terraced farmland and rural villages, with mountains coming into view at surprising points along the way. 

Wedged between China and India, Nepal looks rather small on a map – yet its mountainous terrain and general lack (or poor quality) of transport infrastructure make getting around slow going. During your trip, you might combine private transfers with a driver (by four-wheel drive or regular cars) with local buses and/or domestic flights. 

Since safety is a serious concern for all modes of transport, it’s important to weigh up your options in relation to your budget, time constrictions and risk tolerance when considering how to explore Nepal. But short-and-sweet flights to remote mountain airstrips and slow overland routes have one thing in common: they offer to-die-for views.

As you plan your journey to and around this wonderful if challenging country, here’s what you need to know about getting around in Nepal. 

Whether you’re sightseeing within Kathmandu or Pokhara, wanting to travel between these two cities (a distance of 125 miles/200km) or needing to be deposited at a remote mountain trailhead, taking a private vehicle and driver is generally the most comfortable way of traveling in Nepal.

It’s also among the most expensive.

Private cars and public buses alike have to travel on the same roads, which are often pot-holed, dusty, muddy – or a combination of the three. Road works and traffic jams are also a pitfall of road travel in Nepal, and both can add hours to what would seem to be short journeys. But traveling by private car means you can stop for a rest when you wish, benefit from a better suspension and enjoy the skills of a safe, experienced driver (usually). 

Note that foreigners are not allowed to drive cars in Nepal, which means getting behind the wheel to take a self-driving road trip in Nepal isn’t in the cards.

Regular taxis are a common way of getting around Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can hail them from the side of the road, from taxi stands in some areas or through your hotel. Taxis in Nepal don’t generally use a meter, even if the vehicle is equipped with one; you should count on negotiating your fare before getting in. If you’re not sure how much a journey should cost, ask at your hotel to get a rough idea before heading out. 

Nepal is generally a budget-friendly destination – yet the cost of taxis, private cars and flights can certainly add up. If you’re on a tight budget, taking local or