Kathmandu to Pokhara: bus, flight or private car?

By the Farefika editorial team · Updated 29 October 2026 · 6 min read

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Colourful wooden boats on Phewa Lake in Pokhara with the Annapurna range behind

Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside city and the gateway to the Annapurna treks, is about 200 km west of Kathmandu. That sounds short, but mountain roads make it a full travel day by land. You have three realistic options: a tourist bus, a domestic flight or a private car or jeep.

Option 1: tourist bus

The most popular and cheapest way. Tourist buses leave Kathmandu early in the morning and follow the Prithvi Highway along river valleys. Plan on roughly 6 to 8 hours, and longer when there is roadwork, traffic or bad weather. Buses stop for breakfast and lunch at roadside restaurants.

Good for: budget travellers and anyone who wants to see the countryside.
Tips: book a day or two ahead in peak season, sit near the front if you get travel sick, carry snacks and water.

Option 2: domestic flight

Several Nepali airlines fly between Kathmandu and Pokhara many times a day. The flight itself takes about 25 to 30 minutes, and on a clear morning the Himalayan views are spectacular: sit on the right-hand side flying to Pokhara for the mountains.

Good for: short trips and connecting straight to a trek.
Tips: book a morning flight, as weather tends to be more stable early in the day; delays and cancellations happen, especially in the monsoon. Domestic baggage allowances are lower than on international flights, so check yours before you pack.

Option 3: private car or jeep

A private vehicle with a driver takes about the same time as the bus but lets you leave when you like and stop for photos, temples or river rafting at Kurintar or the Trishuli. It costs more, but splits well between three or four people. You can pre-book a transfer so a driver meets you at your hotel or the airport.

Which should you choose?

Tight on time: fly, and keep a buffer day in case of weather delays.
Tight on budget: tourist bus.
Family or small group, or want flexibility: private car.
Monsoon (June to September): roads can be hit by landslides and flights by cloud, so build in extra time whichever way you go.

Arriving in Pokhara

Most visitors stay at Lakeside, on the eastern shore of Phewa Lake, with easy walks to cafés, boat hire and the trail up to the World Peace Pagoda. Sunrise at Sarangkot is the classic first-morning outing. Compare hotels once your dates are set, and pick up an eSIM before you leave home so you can navigate and book on the go.

Still choosing when to go? Read our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Nepal, or start with flights to Kathmandu.

Journey times are typical estimates; road conditions, schedules and prices change. Farefika does not sell bus or plane tickets.