The short answer
Patan is about 5 km from central Kathmandu, and Bhaktapur about 13 km. A private car takes 20 to 60 minutes depending on traffic, and it lets you chain both in a single outing.
Key facts
- Patan
- About 5 km
- Bhaktapur
- About 13 km
- Private car
- Most flexible, can stop at both
- Local bus
- Cheap, slow and crowded
How it works
- Hire a car by the dayWaiting time is cheaper than repeated negotiation, and your driver can park near the gates.
- Leave by 8 amTraffic builds on the Bhaktapur road from nine, and the light is poor by noon.
- Order the stopsPatan first (closer), Bhaktapur after lunch, then Changu Narayan or Nagarkot if time allows.
Insider tip
Leave early. Roads clog by mid-morning, and the light is best before then.
Avoid this
Do not rely on a metered taxi to wait for you at each stop; hire the car for the whole outing.
Related questions
Can I take a local bus?
Yes, from the old bus park. It is cheap, slow and crowded, and does not stop where you will want to.
How far is Changu Narayan?
About 6 km beyond Bhaktapur, up a short, steep road.
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