Getting around Kathmandu City

Say, you just finished your first trek in Nepal, and you have a month of vacation and 30 more days of Visa left. Now that your trip is over, the travel agency or the guide you booked won’t be able to guide you. However, you still want to travel and explore the ancient valley filled with mysticism in every corner. Or you are a solo traveler in Nepal. The biggest question we ask ourselves is, “How do I get around this new city?” It is fair to say we’ve all been there. 

Starting to navigate a new city is an enigma in itself, and Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is no different. Better known to the outside world as the city of Temples, the Kathmandu Valley is home to three districts of Nepal: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Once a kingdom of its own and later unified, Kathmandu Valley now serves as the gateway to many people who travel to Nepal.

This tiny city houses all of Nepal's major governmental, educational, business, and industrial institutions, meaning it is a super busy and lively city. Bustling markets, ancient temples, streets that look almost the same, and many other features make it a tough city to navigate if you are new. 

Understanding how to get around Kathmandu is necessary for an enjoyable experience as a trekker or tourist. Since this city is the center of Nepal’s history, art, culture, and economy, people frequently navigate to various places for different purposes. Today, Places Nepal brings you a local perspective on how to get around Kathmandu city.

Geography and layout of Kathmandu

Kathmandu is spread over 49.45 sq. km, with 845,767 inhabitants living in 105,649 households as of the 2021 Nepal census. In Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu is located in the northwestern part and bounded by several other municipalities of Kathmandu Valley: 

Lalitpur Metropolitan City from south of Bagmati, Kirtipur from the southwest, east by Madyapur Thimi, and several municipalities extend to the north; Nagarjun, Tarakeshwor, Tokha, Budhanilkantha, Goarneshwor and Kageshwori Manohara.

There are several routes for public vehicles that you can catch. These routes are difficult to understand, but any local can help you with which public transport you need to catch. Moreover, you can find various destinations for exploring Nepal's ancient beauty and trekking destinations around Kathmandu Valley.

Traveling To Nepal

Kathmandu City has the only international airport in Nepal, so unless you travel by road via the India or China land border, everyone’s first destination will be Kathmandu. From Tribhuwan International Airport, you can grab a taxi (there will be plenty of those) and get anywhere you like. If you are unsure where to go, taxi drivers might take you to Thamel, the tourist zone. 

A taxi ride from the airport will cost you anywhere from 1000 NPR to 5000 NPR, depending on your bargaining skills. If you have booked a trip, your travel agency will wait there with private transportation ready to drop you at your hotel.

Currency and Payments

Unless you plan on walking (some do), getting around a city costs money, and having a working currency is better. For that, you will find many money exchange centers around the city, starting from the airport. The currency exchange centers will give you a fair rate depending upon the market valuation at a particular time. 

We recommend you get Nepali rupees from all available bank notes. Nepali currency starts from a single rupee coin to a thousand rupee bank note. Not everyone you encounter is expected to change a thousand rupees, so it is wise to have different bank notes of Rs 100, Rs 500, and others. It will save you from awkward moments and make tips more accessible when required. 

Note: Please be familiar with exchange rates and the worth of your foreign currency.

Public Transportation (Within the Valley)

Kathmandu, though a small district, has a relatively large population and an array of public transportation options. Some public transportation options within Kathmandu city:

Public Bus & Vans: Public buses are hard to miss in Kathmandu. They run on specific routes and make stops accordingly. They are an easy and cheap option, as no ride costs more than 50 NPR (which can be low), depending on your destination. The bus stops can be found along the Ringroad (a circular road connecting all the cities) and other parts of the city. 

Some government-run buses, such as the Sahja Bus, which are green in color, also offer historical bus rides through many essential locations around the city. You can also ride one of those shuttle services and learn more about the city. People can find the Hop-on & Hop-off Station all around the city.

Unlike buses, mini-vans, or micro, as Nepali people call them, they are options with similar functions. While the buses are big and comfortable, the van’s small size might not be ideal for tourists of considerable stature. They also travel to inner city towns and are considered a faster option as not many people fit in, compelling the drivers to do multiple rounds.

The fair is the same as the bus, and a shout from the conductor will remind you of your destination.

Note: Public vehicles have black painted number plates and avoid them during office hours (i.e. 9 AM to 11 AM & 5 PM to 6 PM )

Ridesharing: Ridesharing has been rising as the most popular method of traveling in Kathmandu city. Like Lyft and Uber, ride-sharing allows you to order a motorcycle or a car for a seamless commute. It will require you to download an app (popular ones are Pathao & InDrive) and call a driver after setting your destination. While the prices are not as cheap as public buses or micros, they offer a reasonable price. Some apps even offer a bargain option.  

You will also find many offline riders and drivers offering a ride, but we don’t recommend getting on those.

Taxis: Many white Hyundai Santro, Suzuki 800, and some TATA EVs offer taxi services. Like most cities, the privacy and comfort of a taxi cost more than other public vehicles. Taxis will take you and your luggage everywhere in and around Kathmandu Valley.

Taxis are common. however, taxi fares must be negotiated (the higher the intensity, the better the price) before starting your journey to accommodation.

Rickshaws: Once the heartbeat of tourist travel, the popularity of rickshaws has seen a steep decline in the last decade. The widening of roads and higher density of vehicles have pushed rickshaws to near extinction. However, some resilient and some out of necessity still provide rickshaw service.

You can find rickshaw drivers around popular destinations such as Thamel and Durbar Squares.  It won’t cost as much as it should and is the best way to see the city through gullies and narrow pathways. 

Note: Make sure you wear a mask for pollution.

Hiring a Vehicle

Some people prefer driving or riding around on their own. For those brave and solitary souls, many businesses in Kathmandu allow for the hiring of vehicles. You’ll have options for petrol, diesel, and electric cars, along with motorcycles. It will cost anywhere from 5000 NPR to 10,000 NPR per day.

You’ll need to prove that you have a valid driving license in your country, and after submitting some documents, you’ll have a ride. You may also submit a passport, citizenship, etc., to verify the vehicle’s safety and ensure you have the necessary permits and insurance.

It is excellent for groups or families and especially for those planning to travel beyond Kathmandu.

Cycling in Kathmandu

Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Kathmandu with adventure and skip chaotic traffic. This allows you to pass through narrow streets and other places where vehicles are not allowed to pass. 

Although cycling is a great option, the lack of bicycle lanes might seem disturbing, but you won’t be alone. Many people in Kathmandu use a bicycle for their daily commute. Also, it also extremely easy to hire a bicycle. Most of the bicycle shops in and around Kathmandu provide bicycle-for-hire services. It will cost anywhere from 1000 NPR to 5000 NPR per day. 

There are also very popular mountain biking trails around Kathmandu Valley, perfect for a short off-road cycling experience.

Walking in Kathmandu

Walking around Kathmandu is another excellent way to learn about the city and its significance. Of course, you can’t travel a long distance on foot, but walking in Kathmandu allows you to explore historic sites, hidden temples, and the local market. The tiny city, almost a labyrinth, was designed by indigenous people to make walking easier. 

You can easily walk from one tourist point to another with a maximum walking time of 30 minutes. Say you are in Thamel. A 15-minute walk, getting directions from locals is a must, will take you to Basantapur Durbar Square, and another 10-minute walk along the stone-paved ancient street will take you to the bustling bazaar of Ason.

Some people even prefer a walking tour of Kathmandu, where they can walk from one UNESCO World Heritage site to another.

Public Transportation (Outside the Valley)

As Nepal's capital, Kathmandu is also a business hub, and many people from all 77 districts come to work there. They travel by road in buses and use the same method when returning home. This high traffic density requires proper bus parks, and Kathmandu has two of them: Old Bus Park at Ratnapark and New Bus Park at Gongabu. Most of the buses arrive and depart from these bus parks. 

If one chooses to travel by a Van or Microbus, you’ll find many ticket counters outside these bus parks. The commute prices vary from where you are going, but all offer a standard rate if a ticket is purchased. If you just get on a bus without a ticket, they might charge you higher.

These bus stops are also responsible for taking trekkers and tourists to their trekking destinations. For example, buses for your Annapurna Base Camp Trek & Manaslu Circuit Trek will start from New Bus Park. If you are going for a trek in the Everest Region, you will get a bus from Old Bus Park. These are just a few examples. 

You can also hire a private jeep or a four-wheeler, depending on what you are looking for. Yes, it might offer comfort and cut a 9-hour journey to just 7, but nothing matches the vibe of Nepali folk music basting on old radio speakers while going over 60 km/hr on a hilly road. 

Hiking Around Kathmandu

Nepal is already very famous for its trekking destinations. Moreover, you can find several hiking and short trekking destinations around Kathmandu Valley. There are numerous trekking and hiking destinations around the valley; Shivpuri National Park, Nagarkot, Phulchowki Hill, Chisapani, Champadevi, and Lakuri Bhanjyang are some of the famous destinations.

The starting point of these hikes can be reached within 30 30-minute rides from anywhere in the valley. They provide extraordinary serenity from the chaotic & fast-paced life of the city and a chance to connect to nature. Most of these hikes can be completed within a day, but you can hang around the resort & inn at the top, enjoying the lights of Kathmandu at night.