Getting around · Butwal
How to Get to Butwal
Drive the East–West or Siddhartha highways, take a bus, or fly into Bhairahawa — all the routes explained.
Butwal sits at the junction of the East–West Highway and the Siddhartha Highway in Rupandehi district, so it is one of the best-connected cities in the western Terai. You can drive in from Kathmandu or Pokhara, arrive by bus from across the country, fly into nearby Bhairahawa, or cross from the Indian border just to the south. Here is how each option works.
The short answer
From Kathmandu, expect a 7 to 9 hour drive along the East–West Highway, or fly to Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa (about 40 minutes south) and drive up. From Pokhara, it is a scenic 5 to 6 hour drive over the hills via Tansen on the Siddhartha Highway. From India, the Sunauli–Belahiya border is only about 22 kilometres away.
By air (via Bhairahawa)
Butwal has no airport of its own, so air travellers use Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa, around 20 kilometres and 40 minutes south. The airport handles domestic flights and some international services, and a taxi or bus completes the short trip up to Butwal. This is the fastest option from Kathmandu if you would rather not spend a day on the road.
By road
By bus or private vehicle, Butwal is a major hub. From Kathmandu, buses run along the East–West Highway via Mugling and Narayangadh in roughly 7 to 9 hours. From Pokhara, the Siddhartha Highway climbs over the hills through Tansen in about 5 to 6 hours — a beautiful but winding route. Lumbini and the Indian border at Sunauli are both short hops to the south.
Getting around once you arrive
Butwal is compact and walkable in its centre, where the bazaars, Tinau riverside and parks are easy to reach on foot. For Siddhababa Temple north of town or the trip out to Devdaha, hire a taxi or rickshaw and agree fares before you set off. For the bigger picture on moving around the country, see getting around Nepal.
Good to know
- Fly to save a day: A flight to Bhairahawa beats a long road day from Kathmandu.
- Use Butwal as a hub: It is the natural junction for Lumbini, Tansen, Pokhara and the border — see our gateway guide.
- Plan your stay: Sort accommodation with where to stay in Butwal and pick your dates with the best time to visit Butwal.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Butwal from Kathmandu?+
By road it is roughly a 7 to 9 hour drive from Kathmandu via Mugling and Narayangadh along the East–West Highway, with frequent tourist and local buses. Alternatively, you can fly to Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa, about 40 minutes south of Butwal, and drive up.
Does Butwal have an airport?+
Butwal itself does not have a commercial airport. The nearest is Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa, about 20 kilometres and 40 minutes to the south, which serves domestic and some international flights and is the main air gateway for the western Terai.
How far is Butwal from Pokhara?+
Butwal is roughly 175 to 185 kilometres from Pokhara via the Siddhartha Highway through Tansen, usually a 5 to 6 hour drive through the hills. Buses and private vehicles run this scenic mountain route, which also passes the hill town of Tansen.
Can you reach Butwal from the Indian border?+
Yes. Butwal is very close to the Sunauli–Belahiya border crossing with India, about 22 kilometres to the south near Bhairahawa. Buses and taxis connect the border to Butwal in well under an hour, making it a common first stop for overland travellers from India.
