Travel to Nepal

Flying to Nepal

Most international visitors arrive in Nepal via Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, the country's main gateway and the only airport handling long-haul international flights. A growing number of regional services also operate to Gautam Buddha International Airport near Lumbini and Pokhara International Airport, though these currently serve mostly nearby Asian hubs.

A variety of airlines connect Nepal with major cities across Asia and the Middle East. Nepal Airlines, the national carrier, operates routes to destinations such as Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. Other airlines flying into Kathmandu include Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Jazeera Airways, IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, Himalaya Airlines and several regional carriers. Most travellers reach Nepal via connections through Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Delhi, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, as there are currently no direct flights from Europe, Australia or the Americas.

Flight schedules and routes can change seasonally, so travellers are advised to check with airlines for the latest information when planning their journey.

Airport Guides

Flight times

From London to Kathmandu: 12 hours (including stopover).

Departure tax

All taxes are included in ticket prices.

Travelling to Nepal by Rail

Nepal has no domestic railway network for international travellers, but it is possible to reach the country overland using rail services from India to several border towns, followed by a short road transfer into Nepal. The most commonly used route is the train to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, from where travellers can continue by bus or taxi to the Sunauli–Bhairahawa border crossing. This is one of the busiest gateways into Nepal and provides onward transport to Lumbini, Pokhara and Kathmandu.

Another option is the train to Raxaul in Bihar, which connects directly with the Birgunj border crossing — convenient for reaching Kathmandu and central Nepal. Trains also run to Jogbani and New Jalpaiguri, serving eastern crossings such as Biratnagar and Kakarbhitta, popular with travellers coming from Darjeeling, Siliguri and Sikkim.

There are currently no passenger rail links between Nepal and China, and the mountainous border makes rail access from Tibet impractical for tourists.

Driving to Nepal

Nepal shares land borders with India and China, but almost all overland travel by tourists takes place via India, as the Himalayan border with China is restricted and often closed to foreign travellers. It is possible to enter Nepal by road, either with your own vehicle or by using cross-border buses and taxis, though travellers must ensure they have the correct permits, vehicle documents and insurance. Roads vary widely in quality, and driving conditions can be challenging due to traffic, terrain and weather.

The most popular border crossing is Sunauli–Bhairahawa, linking northern India with the Nepali city of Bhairahawa, and convenient for visitors heading to Lumbini or Kathmandu. Other frequently used entry points include Raxaul–Birgunj, a major commercial crossing with connections to Kathmandu and Pokhara; Jogbani–Biratnagar, often used by travellers from eastern India; Panitanki–Kakarbhitta, popular with those coming from Darjeeling or Sikkim; and Banbasa–Mahendranagar, the gateway to western Nepal and the far-west regions. India–Nepal border posts generally operate between 06:00 and 22:00, though exact hours can vary by crossing and are not always strictly observed.

Long-distance buses also operate between major Indian cities and the Nepali border, with onward Nepali buses available on the other side. Travellers should check the latest border regulations, visa requirements and operating hours before planning an overland trip.

Tourists entering Nepal with their own vehicles must carry a Carnet de Passage and an International Driving Permit, as these documents are required at the border. Travellers should also be aware that strikes, known locally as bandas, can disrupt movement across the country; during these periods, roads may close, and transport services can halt, so it is wise to check local news before travelling.

Getting to Nepal by boat

Travel to Nepal by water is not possible, as the country is landlocked and has no seaports or navigable international waterways.