Kathmandu and Pokhara are about 200 km apart by road. Every bus and car uses the Prithvi Highway, a winding two-lane mountain road that follows the Trishuli and then the Marsyangdi river valleys.

The usual route is Kalanki → Nagdhunga → Naubise → Malekhu → Kurintar → Mugling → Dumre → Damauli → Pokhara. Mugling, roughly halfway, is where most buses stop for lunch. The road is paved the whole way, but traffic, trucks and roadworks decide how long the trip takes, not the distance.

By air the journey is a 25-minute hop west, with the Ganesh, Manaslu and Annapurna ranges on the right-hand side of the plane on a clear morning.

The tourist bus is how most visitors make the trip. It is cheap, safe and gives you a full day of river valleys, terraced hills and village life from the window.

Departure: most tourist buses leave between 7:00 and 7:30 am from Sorhakhutte and Kantipath, both a short walk or taxi ride from Thamel. Greenline leaves from its own office on Tridevi Marg, Thamel. Arrive 20–30 minutes early to load your bags.

Arrival: buses reach the Pokhara Tourist Bus Park, about 1.5 km from Lakeside, usually between 2 and 5 pm. Taxis wait at the bus park for the short ride to your hotel.

On the way: buses stop twice, once for breakfast or tea after 2–3 hours and once for lunch. Standard buses have no toilet on board, so use the stops. Big bags go in the hold or on the roof; keep valuables, water and snacks with you.

Booking: any hotel or travel agent in Thamel can book a seat for a small fee, and some operators sell online. In October, November and around Dashain and Tihar, book at least a day ahead. Ask for a seat near the front if you get car sick.

Flying is the fastest way to Pokhara: 25 minutes in the air instead of a full day on the road. Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines and Shree Airlines fly the route many times a day, from about 7 am to 8 pm, using turboprop aircraft.

Fares: foreign visitors usually pay about US$95–130 one way, paid in US dollars. Nepali and Indian citizens pay lower fares in rupees. Morning flights sell out first in October, November, March and April, so book a few days ahead.

Airports: flights leave from the domestic terminal of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and land at Pokhara International Airport, about 3 km from Lakeside (10–15 minutes by taxi).

Real door-to-door time: allow 3–4 hours. That covers the drive to the airport (30–60 minutes from Thamel in traffic), check-in at least 1 hour before departure, the flight and the taxi into Lakeside.

Delays: winter morning fog in Kathmandu (December–February) and monsoon rain (June–September) can delay or cancel flights. If you are connecting to an international flight or the start of a trek, leave a spare half-day.

Best seat: sit on the right-hand side from Kathmandu to Pokhara (left-hand side on the way back) for the Himalayan views.

A private car with driver picks you up at your hotel or the airport and drops you at your Pokhara hotel door. The drive takes 6–8 hours, usually an hour faster than the bus because there are no fixed stops, and you can leave whenever you like.

Price: about US$120–200 per car (sedan for 1–3 people with light bags) and about US$200–260 for a jeep or van (4–7 people, room for trekking duffels). The price is per vehicle, not per person, and normally includes fuel, tolls and the driver's costs.

Why choose it: it is the most comfortable option for families with children, older travellers, groups of three or more and anyone carrying trekking gear. You can stop for photos, take a detour to Bandipur or the Manakamana cable car, and break the trip whenever you need to.

Book with us: we arrange private cars and jeeps between Kathmandu and Pokhara with English-speaking drivers. See our car hire with driver in Kathmandu page, or message us on WhatsApp at +977 9712067531 with your dates, pickup point and group size for a fixed price.

• On a budget or travelling solo: take a daytime tourist bus. Pay a little extra for Greenline or a VIP sofa bus if you want more space and lunch included.
• Short on time (5 days or less in Nepal): fly. You arrive in Pokhara by late morning and still have the afternoon for Phewa Lake. Our 5 days in Nepal itinerary uses the flight for this reason.
• Families, groups of 3 or more, or carrying trekking gear: hire a private car or jeep. It costs about the same per person as the bus for a group, with door-to-door comfort.
• Prone to car sickness: fly, or sit at the front of a private car. The highway has many curves.
• Starting the Annapurna Base Camp trek: fly, or take a private car with your guide, so you arrive rested. The Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts from Pokhara.
• Coming back after a trek: many trekkers treat themselves to the flight after two weeks on the trail.

The return works the same way. Tourist buses leave the Pokhara Tourist Bus Park between about 7:00 and 7:30 am and reach Kathmandu in the afternoon, with drop-offs at Sorhakhutte or Kantipath near Thamel. Greenline departs from its Lakeside office. Flights run all day from Pokhara International Airport.

If you have an international flight out of Kathmandu, travel back at least one day before. Road delays and weather cancellations are common enough that same-day connections are risky. Book a Thamel to Kathmandu Airport transfer for the next morning.

Lakeside is where most travellers stay, beside Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range behind. Our 1 day in Pokhara and 2 days in Pokhara itineraries cover Sarangkot sunrise, Davis Falls, boating on the lake and the World Peace Pagoda.

Before you go, read our guides to money in Nepal (most buses, taxis and roadside restaurants take cash only) and SIM cards and internet, so you can use maps and messaging on the road. Planning more of Kathmandu first? See our 3 days in Kathmandu itinerary.