Transportation

LOCAL TRANSPORT

KATHMANDU VALLEY. Metered taxis and tempos (auto-rickshaws) can be hailed off the street. The charge for metered taxis is Rs. 7 at flagdown and then Rs. 12 per kilometer. There is an extra 50% charge from 8 pm to 6 am. For night taxis (8 pm to 5 am), call the Night Taxi Service at Dharma Path (Tel: 224374).

Rickshaws (two-seater tricycles) are a fun way to get around Kathmandu. They are especially useful for short trips within the old part of the city where cars can be very inconvenient because of the narrow streets. Moreover, there’s no noise or air pollution. The fare should be negotiated beforehand.

Buses, mini-buses, micro-buses and tempos ply between various points around the Valley. They leave when they have enough passengers. Last bus around 8 pm. All city buses (and those going to Banepa and Dhulikhel) leave from the City Bus Park, on the eastern side of the Tundikhel parade ground. Trolley buses to Bhaktapur leave from Tripureswor next to the stadium.
 
 

POKHARA. There are buses and metered and unmetered taxis to get around.

BHAIRAHAWA. The popular way to get around is by rickshaw and bus. Taxis can be hired. Buses leave for Lumbini where electric tempos are available to visit the different places to see. Jeeps leave for Belhiya on the border with India. Ox carts are an interesting way to visit nearby villages.

NEPALGUNJ. Pony-drawn tangas are the trademark conveyance here. Other ways to get around include rickshaw, tempo, bus and taxi. There are buses to Thakurdwara from where you enter the Royal Bardia National Park.

BIRATNAGAR. Mainly rickshaws. There are local buses to nearby villages and towns. Cars are also available for hire. Buses leave for Dharan frequently. 

LONG DISTANCE TRANSPORTS

BUSES. You can hop on a bus to get to many towns and villages in Nepal. The roads are no autobahns, but they offer really scenic drives. All long distance buses from Kathmandu leave from the Gongabu Bus Park, located on the Ring Road on the north side of town. (See road map in “Hit the Highways” chapter.)

TOURIST BUSES. Pokhara and Bharatpur (Chitwan) are also served by “tourist buses” that are more comfortable and faster than the ordinary buses. Greenline Tours (Tel: 253885, 257544) operates air-conditioned buses to Pokhara, Chitwan and Dhulikhel. They have their own terminal at Thamel.

TRAINS. Nepal’s only railway (51 km long) runs from the holy city of Janakpur in the south-eastern Terai to Jayanagar in India. The railroad was established in 1927.