Route · Far West & Karnali
Kathmandu to Bardia National Park
Most travellers fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in about an hour and drive two hours to Thakurdwara, the village at the gate of Bardia National Park. By road the whole way it is about 500 km and 12–14 hours, best broken in Chitwan or Lumbini.
Several airlines fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj daily, taking about an hour. From Nepalgunj airport a private car or jeep, usually arranged by your lodge, covers the roughly 95 km to Thakurdwara in about two hours, via Kohalpur, the East-West Highway to Ambassa and a 13 km local road north to the park. Morning flights let you reach Bardia by lunch and start safaris the same afternoon.
Kathmandu to Thakurdwara is about 500 km by road via Mugling, Narayanghat, Butwal and the East-West Highway west through Kohalpur. It is a very long day, so we split it with a night in Chitwan or Lumbini, which turns the drive into part of the trip. Roads are mostly paved but busy with trucks, and the Mugling section can be slow.
Day and night buses run from Kathmandu's Gongabu bus park to Nepalgunj and some go on towards Ambassa or Thakurdwara. Night buses are cheap but tiring, and road safety is a concern. If you take one, choose a reputable company, sit near the front and carry your valuables with you. From Ambassa, local jeeps or lodge pick-ups go on to Thakurdwara.
Worth a stop on the way
- Mugling on the Trishuli river
- Narayanghat and Chitwan
- Butwal
- Lumbini, the Buddha's birthplace (detour)
- Kohalpur junction
Local tip
Fly in the morning and drive to Bardia the same day; afternoon flights into Nepalgunj often arrive too late for a comfortable transfer.
Questions
What is the fastest way from Kathmandu to Bardia?
Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in about one hour and take a private transfer of about two hours to Thakurdwara. With a morning flight you can be in Bardia by lunchtime. Your lodge can arrange the pick-up to meet your flight.
How long is the drive from Kathmandu to Bardia?
About 500 km and 12–14 hours via Mugling, Narayanghat, Butwal and Kohalpur. It is too long for one comfortable day, so most travellers stop overnight in Chitwan or Lumbini. Traffic and roadworks around Mugling can add time.
Is there a direct bus from Kathmandu to Bardia?
Some buses run from Kathmandu towards Thakurdwara or Ambassa, but most go to Nepalgunj, from where you change. Night buses take 14–16 hours. They are cheap but tiring, and we recommend flying or a private car with a night's stop instead.
Can I combine Kathmandu to Bardia with Chitwan and Lumbini?
Yes, and it is a classic route. Drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan for two or three nights, continue to Lumbini for a night, then drive on to Bardia in about five to six hours. Fly back to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj at the end.