TransportPokhara
Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus
The daily 6–8 hour coach from Kathmandu to the Annapurna gateway.
About this place
Summary
The standard way trekkers reach the Annapurna gateway: a daily tourist coach from Kathmandu to Pokhara along the Prithvi Highway, roughly 200 km in 6–8 hours depending on traffic and road works.
Why we picked it
It is the practical, affordable backbone connecting Kathmandu to every Annapurna trek, and worth understanding before you go.
Good for
Budget-conscious trekkers, travelers who prefer overland scenery, and anyone linking Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Skip if
Skip the bus and fly if you are very short on time or prone to motion sickness on winding roads.
Editorial guide
For most trekkers, the journey to the Annapurnas begins with the road from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Tourist buses — more comfortable than local services, with assigned seats and rest stops — leave Kathmandu each morning, typically from the Sorhakhutte / Kanti Path tourist-bus area, and follow the Prithvi Highway west along the Trishuli River.
What to expect
The trip covers roughly 200 km but takes 6–8 hours because the highway is winding and frequently slowed by traffic and road works. Tourist coaches stop for breakfast and lunch en route. Tickets are inexpensive and easily booked a day ahead through any Thamel agency or your hotel.
Faster and slower options
If time matters more than money, a short domestic flight (about 25–30 minutes) connects Kathmandu and Pokhara. If comfort matters most, private cars and "luxury" coaches with extra legroom are available. Plan the road day generously — arriving frazzled the night before a trek is a poor start.
Useful caveat
Road conditions and journey times on the Prithvi Highway vary with the season and ongoing construction. Always confirm current departure points and timings locally, and avoid night buses on this route.
Best for
Good in
Details
- Mode
- Tourist bus
- From
- Kathmandu
- To
- Pokhara
- Fare
- Rs 1500
- Duration
- 7 hr