Kathmandu, Nepal — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Tribhuvan International Airport
Tel: (01) 447 3779 or 0311.
Website: www.tiairport.com.np
Nepal’s international airport is located around 5km (3 miles) east of the city center. Flights run from Kathmandu to India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and the Persian Gulf. Most flights to Europe involve a change in the Middle East.
Airport facilities: These include bureau de change, tourist information desk, hotel reservation desk, post office, Internet center, gift shop, cafe and duty-free shops.
Transport to the city center: For a fixed price taxi ride to the center, book your trip at the Airport Queue Taxi Service desk; you will receive a coupon to present to the driver. Buses run from just outside the airport to central Kathmandu, Ratna Park and the Old Bus Park but there is little space for luggage and routes are confusing.
Getting There By Road
Nepal is connected by road to India and Tibet in China but few people attempt to enter Nepal with their own vehicles. There are three major highways in Nepal - the Tribhuvan Highway, which connects Kathmandu to Birganj on the Indian border, the Arniko Highway, which connects Kathmandu to Lhasa in Tibet, and the Mahendra Highway, which runs east-west across the Terai. Most other roads are unsealed and road travel is often disrupted during the monsoon. Traveling by road in Nepal is a chaotic experience; few people obey traffic rules and most drivers prefer to use the horn rather than the brakes. Self-drive car hire is non-existent, but many visitors hire a car and driver for longer road trips.
Emergency breakdown services
None.
Coach services
Long-distance bus services operate from Gongbu bus station (Kathmandu bus station; tel: (01) 435 3030), just off the Ring Road in the north of Kathmandu. A number of private companies run comfortable air-conditioned 'tourist buses' from central Kathmandu to Pokhara, Lumbini and Chitwan National Park. Try Greenline (tel: (01) 425 7544; website: www.catmando.com/greenline), Blue Sky Tours and Travel (tel: (01) 441 1322; website: www.blue-sky-tours.com) or Golden Travels (tel: (01) 422 0036) in the Woodlands Complex on Durbar Marg. The Sajha Yatayat Bus Company (tel: (01) 555 2680) bus service from Kathmandu to Lhasa was suspended in 2006, but it could restart at any time.
Getting There By Rail
There are no railway services to Kathmandu.
Getting Around in Kathmandu, Nepal
Public Transport
The public bus system in Kathmandu is very cheap but incredibly crowded and destinations and route numbers are generally marked in Nepali rather than English. Most bus routes start at the Old Bus Park on the eastern side of the Tundikhel Parade Ground. Buses operate from approximately 0530 to 2100 but there is no fixed timetable and buses will stop anywhere on the route when passengers want to board or disembark.
Taxis
Taxis can be flagged down anywhere in the city. They are easy to recognize as they have a taxi sign and black number plates. All taxis are metered, but drivers are often reluctant to use the meter, particularly around the tourist sights and popular hotels. If the driver demands a fixed fare, bargain hard or find another taxi.
Car Hire
Self-drive car hire is non-existent in Kathmandu. If you want to hire a car and driver, contact Four Season Travel & Tours (tel: (01) 552 6894; website: www.go-nepal.com) or Blue Sky Tours & Travel (tel: (01) 441 1322; website: www.blue-sky-tours.com), or rent a taxi for the day.
Bicycle Hire
Numerous agencies in Thamel rent out bicycles, but the traffic and pollution can make cycling in Kathmandu a testing experience. You can hire good quality mountain bikes from Dawn Till Dusk (tel: (01) 470 0286; website: www.nepalbiking.com), located in the courtyard of the Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel. Motorcycles can be rented from numerous Thamel agencies, particularly around Thahity, but the condition of the bikes varies widely. Officially, foreign riders need an International Driving Permit, but few companies enforce this requirement. You must also leave a large cash deposit or your passport.
Tempos & Rickshaws
The old, polluting two-stroke tempos were banned by the government but environmentally-friendly electric tempos (auto rickshaws) operate on fixed routes for a fixed price. Pedal rickshaws provide an atmospheric way to explore the streets of the old town, but always agree a fare before departing. A tip is much appreciated for good service, usually around 10% of the fare.
