The short answer
Travellers from Bengaluru, Chennai, Kerala, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and similar cities are far from the Nepal border, so the first choice is between flying and going overland. Flying is the usual answer for a short holiday: you reach Kathmandu in a few hours, sometimes with one connection through Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or another large airport, and start sightseeing the same day or the next. Overland by train and road to Gorakhpur or Raxaul takes a day or more each way, so it suits pilgrims with spare time more than a five-day holiday.
Pick the route by trip length and purpose. For under a week, fly in and plan Kathmandu and Pokhara. For Muktinath or Kailash, fly to Kathmandu or Pokhara and let your operator arrange the rest. For a Lumbini or Janakpur pilgrimage with several days to spare, a train to the border is possible. Each city page below gives the usual shape for that city, and flight timetables change, so confirm current options before you book.
Key facts
- Short holiday
- Fly to Kathmandu
- Pilgrimage with time
- Train to Gorakhpur or Raxaul
- Connections
- Often via Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata
- Check
- Current timetables
How it works
- Decide your daysUnder a week usually means flying, a longer pilgrimage can use the train.
- Choose the destinationKathmandu, Pokhara, Muktinath or Kailash decides the entry point.
- Check current flightsTimetables and connections change, so confirm before paying.
- Share your city with a plannerAsk for a route that starts at your own home airport or station.
Insider tip
Count the whole door-to-door time, not just the flight, when comparing flying with the train.
Avoid this
Do not book a tight same-day connection on the way home; leave a buffer for delays.
Related questions
Is there a direct way from my city?
Some cities have direct or one-stop flights at times, and others connect through a larger airport. Check the current timetable before you plan around it.
What documents do I need?
Indian citizens have their own entry rules, and the list is on the documents page of this guide. Carry the original ID you plan to use, and confirm the current rule before you travel.
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Trips that match this guide
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More guides to explore
- Flights from India and the UAEBuddha Air from Kolkata and Varanasi; UAE to Pokhara.
- Bus and Train from IndiaDelhi, Siliguri, Patna, Lucknow and Varanasi to Kathmandu.
- Pickup Points in IndiaGorakhpur, Raxaul, Jaynagar, Nepalgunj, Lucknow and more.
- Airports of NepalInternational and domestic airports with transfers.
- All Nepal guidesBrowse every place and theme.
