Getting around · Pokhara · Nepal
Getting around Pokhara
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mithunkunwar9, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Lakeside is compact and walkable, and taxis cover the rest of the town cheaply. Boats are the way across Phewa Lake, and bikes or scooters suit trips to Pame, Begnas and the hills. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Walking
- Airports
- PKR, KTM
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Annapurna Conservation Area permit
Ways to get around
Walking
Lakeside, North Lakeside and Damside are linked by the lakeshore road and paths; walking between them takes 15–30 minutes.
Taxi
Small taxis wait along Lakeside and take you to Sarangkot, Davis Falls, the museums and the old town; fares are negotiated.
Agree the fare before getting in; ask your guesthouse for typical prices.
Ride-hailing
Ride-hailing apps such as Pathao and inDrive operate in Pokhara, offering motorbike and car rides at lower prices than street taxis.
Boat
Rowing and pedal boats are hired from the Lakeside shore, with or without a boatman, for Tal Barahi and the crossing to the World Peace Pagoda trail.
Scooter
Scooters and motorbikes can be rented in Lakeside for trips to Begnas, Sarangkot and Pame; traffic is lighter than in Kathmandu but roads can be rough.
Carry a valid licence and wear a helmet.
Bus
Tourist buses connect Pokhara with Kathmandu (about 200 km, typically 6–8 hours) and Chitwan, and local buses run to Begnas and trailheads such as Nayapul.
Tickets and passes
Annapurna Conservation Area permit
Required for treks in the Annapurna region; obtained in Pokhara or Kathmandu through the official offices or a registered trekking agency.
From the airport
Pokhara International Airport (PKR), on the eastern side of the city, is about 15–20 minutes by taxi from Lakeside. Flights to Kathmandu take about 25 minutes and are often delayed or cancelled by cloud, especially in the monsoon. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) handles most international arrivals.
Do you need a car?
No. Taxis, boats and walking cover Pokhara, and buses or private jeeps reach trailheads. Hire a car with driver for Bandipur or Tansen if you prefer not to take buses.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Camp and Dhampus | About 1 hour by car, plus 1 hour's walk | Taxi to Kande, then hike |
| Ghandruk | About 2–3 hours by jeep | Jeep or car via Nayapul and Kimche |
| Bandipur | About 2.5–3 hours by car | Private car, or bus to Dumre then local transport |
| Panchase | About 1 hour by car, then a hike | Taxi or jeep to the trailhead, then walking |
| Tansen | About 4–5 hours by road | Bus or private car on the Siddhartha Highway |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Pokhara?
No. Taxis, boats and walking cover Pokhara, and buses or private jeeps reach trailheads. Hire a car with driver for Bandipur or Tansen if you prefer not to take buses.
+How do you get from the airport to Pokhara?
Pokhara International Airport (PKR), on the eastern side of the city, is about 15–20 minutes by taxi from Lakeside. Flights to Kathmandu take about 25 minutes and are often delayed or cancelled by cloud, especially in the monsoon. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) handles most international arrivals.
+What is the best way to get around Pokhara?
Walking: Lakeside, North Lakeside and Damside are linked by the lakeshore road and paths; walking between them takes 15–30 minutes.