Safestay Pokhara Phewa Lake

by Zostel

There is no direct international airport in Pokhara for most long-haul routes, so you will first need to enter Nepal via Kathmandu and then continue onward.

Fly from Europe to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) ~208 km (6 hrs)

From Kathmandu, you have two options to reach Pokhara:

By Air:

• Take a 25–30 min domestic flight to Pokhara International Airport.
• From the airport, Zostel Pokhara is just 2.5–5 km away, about a 10–15 min taxi ride.

By Road (Budget option):

• Take a tourist bus or private car for a 200 km journey (6–8 hours).
• Buses depart from Kathmandu tourist bus parks.

There are multiple points where you can cross the border and enter Pokhara directly from India:

• • Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow/Gorakhpur):
  • Reach Nepalgunj (4 hrs from Lucknow). Fly from Nepalgunj to Pokhara (40 mins, daily flight).
• Nepalgunj is also a gateway for the Mount Kailash tour and close to Bardiya National Park – known for tigers, freshwater dolphins, and river rafting. It’s a beautiful alternative to Chitwan National Park.
  • Take a 2-hr drive from Gorakhpur (UP) to the Sunauli border. From there, you have two options to reach Pokhara:
    • By Road: A scenic 7–8 hr bus ride for around NPR 1000–1200.
    • By Air: A quick 15-min flight for around NPR 3500.

Note: Only one flight goes to Pokhara from Bhairahawa daily. This is the most convenient and budget-friendly route, as Gorakhpur is well connected by train and flight from most Indian cities.