Route · Lumbini & the Buddha's Country
Lumbini to Tilaurakot
Tilaurakot is about 27 km west of Lumbini across the flat Kapilvastu plain, an hour by car on village roads. Most visitors make it a day trip that also takes in Niglihawa, Kudan and Gotihawa, returning to Lumbini by evening.
A private car or taxi from Lumbini reaches Tilaurakot in about an hour on paved village roads through rice and sugarcane fields. Hiring a car for the full day is best, because the other Kapilvastu sites, Niglihawa, Kudan and Gotihawa, are spread out and poorly served by public transport. Your driver waits at each site.
Local buses run between Bhairahawa and Taulihawa, the Kapilvastu district headquarters, and can be picked up on the way from Lumbini with a change. From Taulihawa e-rickshaws cover the 3–4 km to Tilaurakot. It is cheap but slow, and visiting several sites this way takes a full day.
The route is flat and about 27 km each way, so a fit cyclist can ride it in 2–2.5 hours, ideally in the cool of early morning between November and February. Traffic is light but includes tractors and buses. Carry water, and consider a car back if the afternoon is hot.
Worth a stop on the way
- Niglihawa (Nigali Sagar) Ashoka pillar
- Taulihawa bazaar
- Kudan stupas
Local tip
Start at Niglihawa early, reach Tilaurakot by mid-morning, and save Kudan and Gotihawa for the softer afternoon light.
Questions
How far is Tilaurakot from Lumbini?
Tilaurakot is about 27 km west of Lumbini by road, roughly one hour by car on village roads through Kapilvastu district. It lies 3–4 km north of Taulihawa town on the bank of the Banganga river.
Can I visit Tilaurakot and return to Lumbini in a day?
Yes. Most visitors leave Lumbini in the morning, see Tilaurakot, the Kapilvastu Museum, Niglihawa, Kudan and Gotihawa, have lunch in Taulihawa and return by late afternoon. The total day is 6–7 hours with about 60–70 km of driving.
How much does a taxi from Lumbini to Tilaurakot cost?
Prices for a full-day car from Lumbini covering the Kapilvastu sites vary with season, fuel prices and vehicle type. Agree the price, the list of sites and the waiting time before you set off. If you book with us, the car and driver are included in your itinerary.
Is it safe to cycle from Lumbini to Tilaurakot?
Yes, for confident cyclists. The road is flat and traffic is light, though you share it with tractors, motorbikes and buses. Ride early in the day, wear a helmet and bright clothing, carry plenty of water and avoid April to June, when midday heat passes 38 °C.