Entry Points and Transportation

By Air

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Royal Nepal airlines, the national flag carrier of Nepal, and other International Airlines operate flights to Kathmandu from Bangkok, Colombo, Calcutta, Delhi, Dhaka, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Karachi, Lhasa, London, Paris, Moscow, Paro (Bhutan), Singapore and Varanasi. The International Airlines operating their flights into Kathmandu include: Aeroflot, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South West Airlines, Dragon Air, Druk Air, Indian Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai International. ( see Appendix 2 for the list of airlines in Kathmandu.

By Land

At present, there are 6 points of entry at Nepal India border and one point at Nepal China border. The entry points at Nepal India border are: 1) Kakarbhitta, 2) Birgunj, 3) Sunauli, 4) Nepalgunj, 5) Dhangadi and 6) Mahendra Nagar. The only one entry point at Nepal China border is Kodari.

Road Transport

Kathmandu is connect with India through the fertile plains of the Terai by the most picturesque highways. Visitors are permitted to drive their own cars to Kathmandu via these highways. Tourists visiting Nepal with their own vehicles must possess an international carnet. Facilities for exchange are available at the point of entry. There are regular day and night bus services to kathmandu from all the entry point by land.

The Arniko Rajmarga (Kathmandu-Kodari Highway). links Kathmandu with the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China on the north. There is regular bus services to Kathmandu from Kodari.

A comprehensive network of road & communication are under construction in the Kingdom. Pokhara Valley is linked with Kathmandu by a picturesque highway, Prithvi Rajmarga. Pokhara, 200 kilometers west from kathmandu, is also linked with the Indian border town of Sunauli by another highway named Siddhartha Rajmarga. One can drive from kathmandu right to the far eastern border of Nepal connecting through Mahendra Rajmarga. One can drive from Kathmandu right to the far eastern border of Nepal connecting through Mahendra Rajmarga also known as East-West Highway. The interior parts of the country is also linked with a number of motorable roads. Buses for the different parts of the country are available at the Central Bus Terminal which is located at Bag Bazaar behind the City Hall. Cars, jeeps, mini-buses and other vehicles are also available on hire in Kathmandu.

Railway Transport

The Nepal Janakpur - Jayanagar Railway (NJJR) operates a freight and passenger service in the eastern Terai. It is the only railway service available in Nepal.

Domestic Air Service: the Royal Nepal Airlines operates an extensive network of air service in the interior of Nepal. It has scheduled flights by Twin Otter and Avro from Kathmandu to Taplejung, Bhadrapur, Rajbiraj, Bhojpur, Phaplu, Lukla, Lamidanda, Tumlingtar, Rumjatar and Biratnagar in the Eastern Development Region; to Simra, Janakpur, Ramechhap, Jiri, Bharatpur and Meghauli in the Central Development Region; to Pokhara, Jomsom, Manang, Baglung and Bhairahawa in the Western Development Region; and to Nepalgunj, Chaujhahari, Surkhet, Dang, Rolpa and Jumla in the Mid-Western Development Region and to Bajura, Baitadi, Dipayal, Darchula, Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, Tikapur and Sanphebagar in the Far Western Development Region.

Beside Royal Nepal Airlines the other domestic airlines such as Nepal Airways, Everest Air, Himalayan Helicopter and Necon Air also provide regular and Charter services to different popular domestic destinations.

Mountain Flight: One of the highlights of a visit to Nepal is the mountain flight, conducted by the Royal Nepal Airlines and other domestic airlines. Avro or Boeing takes 45 minutes flight along the great Himalayan range to Everest or on a similar flight west to Dhaulagiri past such giant as the Annapurna massif. There is also a "complete Himalayan panorama" flight which takes one on an enchanted review of the entire Nepal Himalayan range. Contract the concerned domestic airlines or a local travel agency for cost details.

Other Transport Arrangements: There are taxis and auto rickshaws (three wheelers) with faremeters in Kathmandu. Besides, motorcycles, bicycles are fixed whereas the charge for rickshaws is to be fixed in advance.

Local buses for different parts of the Kathmandu Valley are available at Shahid Gate and Ratna Park.