Transportation in Nepal

General Situation and Advice

• No drive yourself rental cars• Haggle for your taxi and • When you rent a car/taxi, you have to pay for his return trip and

food if it will be an overnight trip• Possible to rent a motorcycle in Kathmandu, but not advisable• Travel is tricky and disorganized so have patience and back-up

plans (and snacks ;) )• Walking is the most reliable method from A to B.• Fuel shortages/strikes happen often

Arriving at the Airport

• Read this: http://www.thelongestwayhome.com/blog/nepal/how-to-survive-flying-into-kathmandu-airport-nepal/• Know that $1=apprx. 60 rupees• Either take a taxi or minibus• Taxi will be about 400 Rs, beware of the crowd of taxi touts• Can opt for pre-paid taxi (‘Taxis into Town’) service at the

exit of the international airport doors, past the luggage pickup• Minibus (micro van) to Kathmandu city will be about 10 Rs

Taxis

• Black or red(if private car) license plates• Try to get a metered fare, because negotiated price will be more (they might

say its broken, threaten to go to another taxi then see if it’s really broken)• HAGGLE• Official fare should be about Rs. 30 per km• Be sure your taxi man knows the address of your location, and set a price

BEFORE entering the vehicle• Always shoot lower than what he first offers you• Best if split between a few people• Can be a convenient way to go everywhere in the Kathmandu Valley

MiniBuses

• Sightseeing buses can take you around the valley for 1000-2000 Rs• Lots of minibuses around the cities• Cheap, but probably packed and uncomfortable• Run from City to City• Will stop for anyone if not a long distance trip• Go with tourist buses rather than public when possible- nicer, safer• If planning a long route, go to the town’s bus booking office to book

your ticket a few days in advance• Don’t take an overnight bus. Buses are really dangerous on some

Nepalese roads. Taxi, bike, or walking should be taken if possible.

Bicycles

• Good, cheap way to get around the Kathmandu Valley for sightseeing• Cost 100-200 Rs per day ($2-3, not bad!)

Rickshaws

• Fastest, convenient way to get around for short distances around the city• Make sure you agree on a price beforehand• Avg fare for a distance around Kathmandu should be

around 100 Rs or less

Tempos

• Three-wheelers• Electrically powered vehicles to minimize pollution• Have a set of stops on their route• Fare will be similar to Rickshaws

If your flight is canceled

• Make preparation beforehand to hire a jeep(which will be expensive) or be prepared to take a bus to the next city• Transportation will most likely be a challenge, even if walking. Mountainside road :O

Mount Everest Awaits!