Route · Chitwan & the Terai
Kathmandu to Sauraha
Kathmandu to Sauraha, the gateway to Chitwan National Park, is about 165 km: 5 to 7 hours by road via the Prithvi Highway, Mugling and Narayangadh, or a 20 to 25 minute flight to Bharatpur and a 30 minute drive.
The most flexible option. The road climbs out of the valley past Naubise, then follows the Trishuli river down the Prithvi Highway to Mugling, where you turn south to Narayangadh and east to Tandi and Sauraha. Traffic and road works make timings vary. A private car lets you stop for lunch by the river, ride the Manakamana cable car or visit Devghat.
Tourist buses leave Kathmandu early each morning from the Kantipath and Thamel area and drop passengers at the Sauraha bus park, where lodges collect guests. Seats are reserved, there are lunch stops on the highway and luggage goes on the roof or in the hold. A cheap and reliable choice for budget travellers.
Several airlines fly Kathmandu to Bharatpur (BHR) daily. From the airport it is about 15 km and 30 minutes by car to Sauraha. Flying saves most of a day and avoids the winding hill road, but winter fog in Chitwan can delay morning flights. Check current status before you travel.
Worth a stop on the way
- Trishuli riverside restaurants near Kurintar
- Manakamana cable car at Kurintar
- Mugling, where the Trishuli meets the Marsyangdi
- Devghat confluence near Narayangadh
Local tip
Leave Kathmandu by 7 am to beat traffic on the valley's exit roads and reach Sauraha in time for sunset on the Rapti.
Questions
How long does it take from Kathmandu to Chitwan by road?
Usually 5 to 7 hours for the roughly 165 km to Sauraha, depending on traffic, road works and stops. Tourist buses take 6 to 8 hours including breaks. In the monsoon, landslides on the Prithvi Highway can cause longer delays. Check current status before you travel.
Is it better to fly or drive from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
Flying to Bharatpur takes 20 to 25 minutes plus a 30 minute drive and saves most of a day. Driving is cheaper and shows you the Trishuli valley, with useful stops such as the Manakamana cable car. If you have limited time or dislike winding roads, fly.
Where do tourist buses to Chitwan leave from in Kathmandu?
Most leave early in the morning from the Kantipath area near Thamel. Your hotel or tour operator can book seats and confirm the exact departure point. Buses arrive at the tourist bus park in Sauraha, where most lodges send someone to meet guests.
What is the road like from Kathmandu to Chitwan?
It is a paved two-lane highway, winding through the hills along the Trishuli river to Mugling and flatter beyond Narayangadh. Traffic is heavy with trucks and buses, and some sections have ongoing road works. Travel by day and allow extra time.