City in Gandaki Province, Nepal
Getting around Pokhara
How to get around Pokhara
Lakeside is walkable and cheap taxis cover the rest. Tourist buses and short flights link Kathmandu; day trips run by taxi or on a rented bike.
Ways to get around Pokhara
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | About NPR 300–800 for short trips | Often unmetered; agree the fare first |
| Local bus | NPR 30–60 | Between Lakeside, Mahendrapul and Prithvi Chowk; crowded and slow |
| Tourist bus to Kathmandu | About NPR 1,000–2,500 | 7–9 hours; book a day ahead through your hotel |
| Bicycle or e-bike | About NPR 400–1,500 a day | Flat lakefront; fine for Lakeside and Damside |
Ride-hailing apps in Pokhara
A 5 km ride costs about Rs250–500 ($1.6–3.2).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pathao | Bikes and cars around Lakeside, with fewer drivers than Kathmandu |
| inDrive | Offer your own fare; drivers are limited |
- Most visitors walk or take unmetered taxis; agree prices first. Apps work but waits can be long at night.
Arriving in Pokhara
Pokhara International (PKR)
Mostly domestic flights, with few international services; taxi to Lakeside about NPR 500–1,000, 15–25 min. Many arrive via Kathmandu's Tribhuvan.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: Rentable for NPR 1,000–1,800 a day with a licence; fine around the lake, tiring on the highways.
- Driving: on the left. Scooter rentals in Kathmandu and Pokhara ask for a licence; carry an IDP. Most visitors use buses, jeeps or drivers.
- Onward travel in Nepal: No useful railway. Tourist buses link Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan (7–9 hours to Pokhara); short domestic flights save days but depend on weather. Jeeps serve mountain roads.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Pokhara?
No. Use Pathao, inDrive instead.
What's the best way to get around Pokhara?
Lakeside is walkable and cheap taxis cover the rest. Tourist buses and short flights link Kathmandu; day trips run by taxi or on a rented bike.
How do I get from the airport to Pokhara?
Mostly domestic flights, with few international services; taxi to Lakeside about NPR 500–1,000, 15–25 min. Many arrive via Kathmandu's Tribhuvan.
Is Pokhara walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Pokhara
Going to Pokhara solo?
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Sources
- Buddha Air (domestic flights)
- Yeti Airlines (domestic flights)
- Nepal Tourism Board
- Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
- Buddha Air
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.