Flights · borders · domestic routes
Getting to Nepal
Which airport, which airline, which land border — and how to reach Lukla, Pokhara or Chitwan once you are in.
Main gatewayKathmandu (KTM)
Other airportsPKR · BWA
Land borders5 from India
Domestic airlinesBuddha · Yeti · Shree
Transfer to city20–40 min
Almost everyone arrives through Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, which is small, single-terminal and busy in October. Nepal opened two new international airports — Pokhara (2023) and Gautam Buddha at Bhairahawa (2022) — but long-haul route networks are still thin, so KTM remains the realistic gateway.
Overland arrivals are common from India and growing from Tibet. This page covers the flight and border options, the domestic connections to trailheads, and the timing traps that cost people trekking days.
On this pageBy airArrival at KathmanduOverland from IndiaOverland from Tibet / ChinaDomestic connections — reaching the trailheadsGetting around once you are in
By air
Tribhuvan (KTM) handles the long-haul traffic. Common routings are via Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Delhi, Istanbul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Guangzhou; from Europe, one stop in the Gulf is standard. Fares swing hard by season — October and April are the expensive months.
| From | Typical routing | Flight time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf / Middle East | Direct to KTM | 4–5 h | Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Salam |
| India | Direct to KTM | 1.5–2 h | Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore |
| Southeast Asia | Direct or via India | 4–6 h | Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore |
| Europe | One stop via Gulf or Istanbul | 11–14 h | No direct scheduled service |
| North America | Two stops | 18–22 h | Usually via Europe or the Gulf |
| China / Tibet | Via Chengdu, Kunming or Lhasa | 3–5 h | Plus overland option through Kerung |
Arrival at Kathmandu
Visa on arrival is the slow step: fill the electronic form on the kiosks, pay in cash at the counter, then queue at immigration. Pre-purchased e-visas skip the payment queue. The airport is 6 km from Thamel — a prepaid taxi is NPR 800–1,200, and ride-hailing (Pathao, InDrive) is cheaper if you have data.
Overland from India
Five crossings carry almost all traffic. Buses run from the Indian side to the border, then Nepali buses or jeeps continue; none of it is difficult, all of it is slow.
| Border | Indian side | Leads to | Time to Kathmandu |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunauli–Bhairahawa | Gorakhpur (UP) | Lumbini, Chitwan, Pokhara | 8–10 h |
| Raxaul–Birgunj | Patna / Muzaffarpur (Bihar) | Kathmandu, Chitwan | 6–8 h |
| Kakarbhitta | Siliguri / New Jalpaiguri (WB) | Eastern Nepal, Ilam, Kathmandu | 12–14 h |
| Nepalgunj | Lucknow / Bahraich (UP) | Bardia, Rara, far west | 14–16 h |
| Mahendranagar | Delhi / Tanakpur (UK) | Far-western Nepal | 16 h+ |
Overland from Tibet / China
The Rasuwagadhi–Kerung crossing connects Kathmandu with Lhasa by road, usually as part of an organised Tibet tour with a Chinese visa and a Tibet permit arranged through an agency. There is no independent travel through this border — group tours only.
Domestic connections — reaching the trailheads
| Destination | From Kathmandu | Time | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lukla (LUA) | Flight | 35 min | Everest region — flights shift to Manthali in peak season |
| Pokhara (PKR) | Flight / bus | 25 min / 7–9 h | Annapurna treks, lake city |
| Bharatpur (BHR) | Flight | 25 min | Chitwan, Sauraha |
| Bhairahawa (BWA) | Flight | 45 min | Lumbini |
| Jomsom (JMO) | Flight from Pokhara | 20 min | Upper Mustang, Muktinath |
| Nepalgunj (KEP) | Flight | 1 h | Bardia, Rara, far west |
Domestic carriers are Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines and Saurya. Fares are fixed by route; book early for October and April. In peak season Lukla flights depart from Ramechhap/Manthali, a 4–5 hour night drive from Kathmandu — always keep a buffer day before an international flight home.
Getting around once you are in
- Tourist buses: Kathmandu–Pokhara USD 12–20, Kathmandu–Chitwan USD 10–15, daytime departures.
- Private car and driver: USD 45–75 a day for up to four people — better value than flights for short legs.
- Domestic flights: fastest for Lukla, Pokhara, Bharatpur and Bhairahawa; cancel often in bad weather.
- Jeeps and shared 4WD: the standard for road sections of the Annapurna and Manaslu routes.
- Ride-hailing: Pathao and InDrive work in Kathmandu and Pokhara; agree the fare in taxis.
Guides to go deeper
How to Get to Nepal 2026: Flights, Airports & Overland Border Crossings
Travel Guides
Lukla Flights 2026: Kathmandu vs Manthali — What Trekkers Need to Know
Trekking & Expeditions
Pokhara-Dubai Direct Flights: UAE Ambassador Meets Tourism Leaders to Push for Regular Service
Nepal NEWS
Bharatpur-Kathmandu Flights Double as Highway Stays Blocked
Nepal NEWS
Buddha Air Resumes Nepalgunj-Pokhara Flights from September 2026: What Travelers Need to Know
Nepal NEWS
Nepal Visa and Trekking Permits: Complete Guide (2026)
Trekking & Expeditions
Questions travellers ask
Which airport do I fly into for Nepal?
Kathmandu (KTM) for almost all international arrivals. Pokhara (PKR) and Gautam Buddha at Bhairahawa (BWA) have limited regional flights — useful only if your itinerary is already in the west.
Do I need a transit visa to connect in India?
Often yes, and Indian transit visas are not always easy to get quickly. Gulf routings avoid the problem entirely, which is why most travellers from Europe and North America connect through Doha, Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Can I enter Nepal overland from India?
Yes — Sunauli, Raxaul, Kakarbhitta, Nepalgunj and Mahendranagar all accept foreigners, and most issue visas on arrival. Bring USD cash and photos in case the visa desk is closed.
How do I get to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu?
Fly to Lukla (35 minutes) and walk in, or drive to Salleri/Jiri and walk for two extra days. In peak season the Lukla flight departs from Manthali instead, requiring a night drive from Kathmandu.
How long does the bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara take?
7–9 hours by tourist bus, 5–6 by private car, 25 minutes by air. The road is sealed and the buses are comfortable enough, with a lunch stop.
Planning the whole trip?
Start with the itinerary and budget planner, then use the region guides to pick the trek that matches your days.
Other planning guides
Planning guideStart hereEverything a first-time visitor needs in one place: how long to come for, what it costs, which region fitPlanning guideVisas & permitsWhat you pay, where you get it, and which permit your trek actually needs — visas, TIMS, ACAP, SagarmathaPlanning guideWhen to goMonth by month: what the weather does, which treks are open, how busy it is, and what to expect at altitu