How to Get Nepal

Nepal has long been the most popular places for Hindu Pilgrimage and the Hindu country in the world, an anachronism in itself. A unique nation, over 90 percent of the population is Hindus, with a small Buddhist and Muslim population

There are several ways to get to Nepal, and the route you choose depends mostly on the direction you are coming from and the availability of transportation. Most tourists travel to Nepal by air, but since there are few international flights to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The more distant flights to Nepal from international locations depart from the airports of Dubai, Turkey, Kuwait, India, China, Malaysia, Oman and many others.

Travelling to Nepal by aeroplane

There are no direct flights from Europe, America, South Africa and Australia to Nepal, which can mean that a flight to Nepal must be operated as a connecting flight, it can be a stressful experience at times, especially when connections have long wait times. However, there are a large number of flights from other Asian countries that can fly to Nepal, so even if you cannot get a direct flight, you can quickly get a connecting flight.

Flights to Nepal are available from almost all Asian countries, with the emphasis on flights from China and India. Nepal is a popular destination for both Indian and Chinese, and since there are no entry requirements, especially from India, Nepal is a comfortable place to vacation.

Suppose you are coming to Nepal from a foreign country further away than the Middle East or Turkey (which is now part of Europe). In that case, It is best to travel through India or China as there are more connecting flights from these two countries than anywhere else in Asia. However, with more than 35 different airlines connecting more than 50 cities throughout Asia with Nepal, you have many options for your trip to Nepal.

Travel to Nepal by land

The overland journey to Nepal can only be made from China, via Tibet or from India, as no other countries are bordering Nepal.

Travelling by land can take a long time, but it can be an exciting experience as you have the opportunity to see many things you would not see when flying. Overland trips, especially from China through Tibet, are worth the experience and adventure they can provide.

From China, through Tibet to Nepal

When travelling from China to Nepal, one usually has to travel through the Tibetan Autonomous Region, as this is the only part of China that borders Nepal. To get to Nepal through Tibet, one must first make a reservation for Tibet, as no independent travel is allowed in the region, even for those who only cross the area to get to Nepal.

You have the option of leaving one of Tibet's seven gateway cities when you take the train to Lhasa and then travel to Nepal by land, or you can take a flight to Lhasa from one of the more than a dozen airports in China.

Once you arrive in Lhasa by plane or train, your journey across the Tibetan plateau begins. In general, the shortest trip from Lhasa to Nepal is around seven days. You should therefore include them in your travel plans. The advantage of a journey across the plateau to Nepal is that you can visit and see some of the most amazing places in the world, such as the Potala Palace, the Jokhang Temple, Gyantse Kumbum and even Mount Everest.

Once you arrive at the Nepalese border crossing at Kyirong port, north of Kathmandu, your tour ends, and your guide and driver will drop you off at the border crossing on the Chinese side of Resuo Bridge, the border crossing to Nepal.

On the other side, at the border post of Rasuwagadhi Fort, you can show your passport and visa to immigration officials or, if you do not already have one, apply for the Nepali visa upon arrival. It is a simple process for which you only need your passport, a passport photo, a completed application form and the corresponding fee. The visa at the border and the airport cost $25 for a 15-day visa, $30 for a 30-day visa and $100 for a 90-day visa. All visas are now multiple-entry, so you can travel back and forth as many times as you like for the duration of the visa.

Once you have passed the checkpoint, you will have to take the bus to Kathmandu, which runs several times a day, except during the monsoon, when you may have to wait for the next bus for some time. Buses from Rasuwagadhi Fort only go to Kathmandu, so if your final destination is another place, you will have to change buses in the capital of the country and take a connecting bus or a flight to your final destination.

From India to Nepal by land

If you are planning to travel to Nepal by land from India, you must have an international driver's license recognized by the Indian government or take a public bus. After that, any international driving license or a standard UK driving license can only be used for driving in India for a limited period. The rules on how long you can drive in India with an international driving permit vary from state to state but are never less than thirty days.

When travelling overland, entry into Nepal can be made through one of the six ports of entry, all of which have nearby railroad stations for rail travellers. For those travelling by bus, there are always buses connecting the nearest major city to the border crossing.

Kakarbhitta, located in the far east of Nepal, is the main point of entry for travellers from the northwestern Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal. From the village on the Nepalese side of the border, some buses regularly go to Kathmandu and other places, and the bus station is within walking distance of the immigration office. If you want to fly to Kathmandu, there are regular flights from Bhadrapur, about 25 kilometres from Kakarbhitta.

Birgunj is the most popular border crossing for travellers to go to Kathmandu, as it is only a bus trip of six to eight hours. On the Indian side of the border is the Raxaul Central Station, which is easily accessible from anywhere in India and is known as the main crossing point into Nepal. Simara is 20 km from Birgunj and has an airport with flights to Kathmandu several times a day.

Belhia, in the district of Bhairahawa in western Nepal, is one of the most famous border crossings for Indian tourists, as it is near the small town of Lumbini, birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Belhia, one of the most important trade links between India and Nepal, is still more than 280 kilometres from Kathmandu, and the daily bus takes about 9 hours. However, flights from the local airport take only 30 minutes.

The other three border crossings, Mohana, GaddaChauki and Jamunaha, are also open for international tourists with on arrival visa service, but less popular due to their remoteness. Mohana and Gadd Chauki are located in the far west of Nepal; there are no flights to Kathmandu and buses take between 16 and 18 hours to get there. Jamunaha, located on the Nepalese side near Nepalgunj, is a major commercial port from India to Nepal and a popular transit point for Indian pilgrims. From the airport of Nepalgunj, there are flights to Kathmandu that take about 1 hour, while buses take between 12 and 14 hours to reach the Nepalese capital.