Route · Pokhara & the Annapurnas
Kathmandu to Pokhara
Kathmandu to Pokhara is about 200 km on the Prithvi Highway: 6–8 hours by private car or tourist bus, or about 25 minutes by air to Pokhara International Airport. The road follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers, with easy detours to Manakamana, Bandipur and Gorkha.
Several domestic airlines fly Kathmandu to Pokhara International Airport (PHH) daily. It is the fastest and, in the monsoon, the most reliable option. Sit on the right side heading west for mountain views on clear mornings. Allow time for Kathmandu's domestic terminal and possible weather delays; morning flights are usually most punctual. Baggage limits are lower than on international flights.
A private car with driver lets you leave when you like and stop where you want: river views near Malekhu, the Manakamana cable car at Kurintar, lunch in Mugling, or a detour to Bandipur or Gorkha. The road is busy and often under repair, especially around Naubise and Mugling, so traffic can add hours. Best for families and anyone combining the drive with sightseeing.
Tourist buses leave Kathmandu around 7 am from the Kantipath and Sorhakhutte area near Thamel and arrive at Pokhara's Tourist Bus Park, a short taxi ride from Lakeside. They stop for breakfast and lunch at roadside restaurants. Seats are reserved and luggage goes on the roof or in the hold. Comfortable enough and inexpensive; book a day ahead.
Worth a stop on the way
- Malekhu (river fish lunches)
- Kurintar and the Manakamana cable car
- Mugling (Trishuli–Marsyangdi confluence)
- Bandipur, 8 km above Dumre
- Gorkha, 24 km above Abu Khaireni
Local tip
Leave Kathmandu by 7 am to beat the traffic leaving the valley at Nagdhunga.
Questions
How long does it take to drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
Allow 6–8 hours for the roughly 200 km drive on the Prithvi Highway by private car or tourist bus. Traffic leaving Kathmandu, road works and landslides in the monsoon can add hours. Leaving early, around 7 am, helps. With stops at Manakamana or Bandipur, the trip becomes a full day or an overnight journey.
Is it better to fly or drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
Fly if time is short, if travelling in the monsoon when landslides are common, or if you dislike long road journeys: the flight takes about 25 minutes. Drive if you want to see the countryside and stop at Bandipur, Gorkha or the Manakamana cable car, or if you are on a budget. Many travellers drive one way and fly the other.
How much is a tourist bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
Tourist buses are the cheapest comfortable option, with standard and deluxe classes at different prices, all far below the cost of a flight or private car. Fares change with fuel prices, so check current rates with your hotel or a ticket office in Thamel. Book a day ahead in October, November and around Dashain.
Which airport do Pokhara flights use?
Domestic flights from Kathmandu use Pokhara International Airport (PHH), which opened on 1 January 2023 about 3 km east of the old airport. The old airport is still used for some short-runway flights, such as Jomsom. The new airport is about 15–20 minutes by taxi from Lakeside. Check your ticket for the correct airport.