Travelling within Nepal

Bus
Among the various public transport modes available in Nepal, the most common are local buses. Running almost everywhere, these local buses usually stop for anyone who waves a hand for stopping the vehicle.

A government-owned company, called Sajha Yatayat, runs distinctive blue-and-white buses, which serve all the main routes, except the far East and far West. These are comparatively cheaper than private buses, but do not run on schedule.

Local buses usually take 10 hours to complete a journey of 200 km. In recent times however, local buses are getting replaced by micro buses due to their slow speed. Accommodating 10 to 12 passengers, micro buses have a faster service. Along with the fixed routes, these buses also travel on new alternative routes, thus providing better coverage. Fares of these buses are comparatively higher than the local ones.

For longer routes, super express buses are available. Scheduled for both day as well as night journeys, these buses are often preferred for commuting from one city to another within Nepal. During the day, these buses depart a little early, around 5 am to 7 am. Unlike local and micro buses, these express buses do not pick passengers from anywhere on the route. Fares of these buses are more than local buses, but less than micro buses.

Several private companies in Nepal like Greenline also operate tourist buses from and to different cities in Nepal. However, the most popular routes on which tourist buses operate include Kathmandu-Pokhara, Kathmandu-Sunauli and Kathmandu-Nagarkot. Other preferred places to travel to, by tourist buses, include Chitwan and Lumbini. These buses charge more than all other types of buses available.

Taxi
Taxis are also a preferred mode of transport within the towns of Nepal, including Kathmandu and Pokhara. To get around Nepal, two different types of taxis are available, private and '10 Rupee'.

Private taxis are generally used to travel from the airport to upscale hotels while '10 Rupee' taxis do not leave until they are fully occupied. Fare of metered taxis amounts to minimum $0.10, plus $0.03 for every 200 metre. '10 Rupee' taxis charge $0.14.

Other
Apart from buses and taxis, one can also use tempos for travelling within the city of Nepal. Tempos seen on the streets are of two types, a 3-wheeled electric or propane powered micro-bus (10-13 seater) and Toyota van.

Running on different routes, these tempos charge varying fares. The fare of micro-bus taxis starts from $0.04 while the Toyota vans cost higher, somewhere between $0.07 and $0.17.

For shorter routes however, one can take rickshaws available on the city streets. Accommodating 2 passengers, these rickshaws are relatively economical and easily available from anywhere within the city, except for remote areas. Fares of these rickshaws are not fixed and can be negotiated.