Pokhara is the second most popular city situated in Nepal, with Kathmandu being the first. Providing its visitors with a gorgeous location on Phewa Lake, which offers stunning views, it is also known as ‘the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit’. Showing off a magnificent backdrop of Annapurna Range featuring the snow covered peaks, this is a gem of Nepal that you will definitely want to add to your travel bucket list.
Within this beautiful city you will find a variety of small and large lakes, plus many natural caves, as well as being hugged by wonderful mountains and lush forests. If you are looking to plan your trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara then 12Go alongside this blog can help you do so.
HOW TO GET FROM KATHMANDU TO POKHARA
In this article I am going to break down how you can book your ticket for the bus trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara via the online booking platform 12GO, with it being the best way to find and purchase your journey.
Throughout this blog I will delve into the details you will need to know ahead of booking and boarding your preferred way of transport for your trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara. There are three different types of transport options hosting a vast range of journey options throughout each day, these are bus, flight or taxi. The earliest departure from Kathmandu is at 6am and the latest being at 8.30pm, with ticket prices ranging from as low as $12 and the most expensive being $207. Alongside that I will touch on key points for travelling, the best time to visit Pokhara, how long you should spend there, and the must-do activities you will want to check out.
BEST WAY TO BOOK YOUR TICKET FROM KATHMANDU TO POKHARA
If you haven’t got the time right now to read this whole blog article, but you are itching to get booking your transport from Kathmandu to Pokhara then this is the quick answer you are looking for… head over to 12Go. Via this platform you will find all of the available journey options, departure and arrival times, departure and arrival points, plus price comparison and the finer details you will need to understand, making it the most convenient way to book.
However, if you are ready to learn more about how to get around Pokhara once you get there, what you can do and key points before you travel, then you will want to carry on reading.
| Flight Kathmandu - Pokhara $ 86.05–100.30 20m – 19h 35m | |
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| Bus Kathmandu - Pokhara $ 7.61–15.21 6h – 12h | |
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| Taxi Kathmandu - Pokhara $ 130.30–151.08 7h | |
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| Taxi Jomsom - Pokhara $ 133.14–151.08 8h | |
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KEY POINTS
Cheapest travel option
The most affordable way to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara is definitely by bus, costing as little as $12 per person, and at the most $19. The journey can take between 6 hours and 12 hours but if you are looking for the most budget way to make the commute you will want to go via bus. You can check out all of the travel time options available on 12Go.
Quickest travel option
The fastest transport to take from Kathmandu to Pokhara is with an aeroplane, only taking a short 20 mins in the air, and with over 30 flights per day which makes it a very convenient travel option to book. The cost of each ticket per flight can range between $144 and $160 per person. You can compare all flight times and prices via 12Go.
Arrival time to departure station
Bus
When travelling via bus commute, you will need to arrive no later than 30 minutes before your travel departure time. I would recommend getting there at least an hour before to ensure that you have everything you need ready to board the bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara, as well as giving extra time for any inconveniences that may occur.
Flight
With this travel option from Kathmandu to Pokhara, it is advised to arrive 2 hours before your flight departure time to complete all check in procedures. Just like travelling via bus, arriving a bit earlier than suggested is always a good idea so that you can make sure you have everything in order and hopefully avoid any big queues.
Taxi
Booking a taxi to travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara means you get to choose the time of preferred travel. However, being on time for pick up is still vital, as there can be added charges if the taxi has to wait.
Luggage allowance per travel option
Bus
Travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara by bus doesn’t have strict guidelines for the luggage allowance that you can take, but I would advise not over packing because there could be a chance they will ask you to buy an extra seat if you have too much baggage with you.
Flight
The maximum baggage allowance per person on a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara is 20kg. If you are to go over this weight with baggage you will then be charged extra.
Taxi
There are no luggage allowance restrictions as such when travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara by taxi, but they do ask when booking your ticket that you do not have excessive baggage that will not be able to fit in the trunk of the vehicle.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR TICKET FROM KATHMANDU TO POKHARA
The best and most convenient way to purchase as well as plan your trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara is via 12Go, as this online booking platform hosts the different options of commute available alongside their departure and arrival times, travel length, price comparisons and finer details you may need to know. It is a reliable way to book your journey ticket through as it also allows you to make changes if necessary.
To decide on which travel option is best suited to you, think about your current travel plans and then consider the time you would either like to depart Kathmandu for or arrive at Pokhara by. Other things to ponder are your travel budget, the amount of luggage you have and out of the three transport options, which one you enjoy being on the most.
SCHEDULE AND PRICE FROM KATHMANDU TO POKHARA
Bus
The earliest bus to depart from Kathmandu to Pokhara is at 6am with the latest being 8.30pm, and having up to 20 different time possibilities per day. The commute time can last from 6 hours up to 12 hours with prices costing between $12 and $19 per person. Buses depart Kathmandu at the Nayabazar bus station and arrive in Pokhara at the main bus station.
Flight
There are over 25 flights per day from Kathmandu to Pokhara, departing from KTM Kathmandu Airport and arriving at PKR Pokhara airport. The travel time of these flights are between 20 minutes and 30 minutes each, making it the quickest way to commute. Prices range from the lowest being $144 and highest at $160, with the earliest flight leaving Kathmandu at 6.30am and latest at 8.50pm.
Taxi
With this travel option, the two stated locations of departures from Kathmandu to Pokhara are Kathmandu Hotel and Bhairahawa Hotel, with the leaving time being made between you and the operating company when booking. The cost with this form of commute can be from $208 up to $241, being split between up to 3 or 6 people per taxi.
HOW TO GET TO YOUR DEPARTURE POINT IN KATHMANDU
Depending on your accommodation location in Kathmandu, this will have an effect on how you commute to your departure station ahead of boarding your chosen transport for travelling from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You have several options for getting around Kathmandu, these include public bus, private taxi, cycle rickshaw (an authentic form of transport) and by foot. Before booking your trip from Kathmandu to Pokhara, it would be an idea to consider how you will get to the departure station to ensure that the timeframe is doable.
HOW TO GET TO YOUR FINAL DESTINATION IN POKHARA
Transport in Pokhara is very similar to that in Kathmandu. Once you have arrived from Kathmandu to Pokhara you have several options of transport to take you from your arrival station to your final destination. These include, the most simplest is by foot if you don’t need to go too far, you also have options such as public bus, private taxi, bicycle or scooter.
BEST TIME TO VISIT POKHARA
There are two key time periods when it is best to visit Pokhara, these are March to April and October to November, because these are the months that host less rainfall and have a more comfortable climate with clear skies. If you are happy to be amongst many people and a lively atmosphere then you will want to book your trip for October to November, however if you’re looking for a more relaxed environment then March to April is ideal for you.
HOW LONG TO SPEND IN POKHARA
To enjoy the absolute beauty that Pokhara offers and explore around the natural wonders it boasts, then 3 days will be perfect, but extending it to 4 days is never considered a regret. You will want to make sure you have enough time to soak up the stunning views around this area, and enjoy all of the cultural landmarks too.
MUST-DO ACTIVITIES IN POKHARA
Go paragliding
Experience the gorgeous views of Pokhara from a birds eye view with a tandem paraglide flight where you will glide through the air whilst being able to soak up the stunning views of the Annapurna mountains. This adventure will leave you with everlasting memories.
Take a boat ride
For a more relaxed activity, go and check out the boat rides available at Phewa Lake. You can explore around the island and across the lake to enjoy the breath-taking views surrounding you. Being here is also a good spot to catch a beautiful sunset.
Embark on a trek
There are an array of amazing treks to do in the Annapurna mountain range which can take from one day up to one week – consider this before booking your trip. The treks vary in altitude, distance and completion time so be sure to research more around this if it is something you want to do.
Visit Pokhara Shanti Pagoda
Also known as ‘The World Peace Pagoda’, is a Buddhist Pagoda style monument overlooking Lake Phewa Tal and the mountain range. This is located a short distance from Pokhara and can be reached by hiking, taking a taxi or via a boat ride, making it a great day out.
Check out the viewpoint
Sarangkot is a magnificent viewpoint in Pokhara and is the perfect spot to watch the sunrise from. For the sunrise, you will need to get there 20 minutes prior to it appearing and consider the travel time beforehand to get there, which can be made by taxi for approximately $36, but be warned it’s a bumpy ride.
MORE NEPAL BLOGS
If you are looking for more tips and ideas around travelling across Nepal, then you will want to check out these other blogs…
CLIMBING ISLAND PEAK (6,189M) IN NEPAL: COMPLETE GUIDE
WHERE TO STAY IN KATHMANDU, NEPAL: 16 BEST HOTELS
SARANGKOT HILL VIEWPOINT HIKE IN POKHARA
ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT TREK IN NEPAL: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
BUNGEE JUMP IN NEPAL: 3RD HIGHEST SUSPENSION JUMP BRIDGE IN THE WORLD