Getting around · Dhulikhel
How to Get to Dhulikhel
Getting to Dhulikhel from Kathmandu by bus, taxi or private car on the Araniko Highway.
Getting to Dhulikhel is easy: it sits about 30km east of Kathmandu on the Araniko Highway, the main road toward the Tibet border, so it is well served by buses, microbuses and taxis. The drive takes roughly one to one-and-a-half hours depending on how heavy the traffic is leaving the Kathmandu Valley.
The short answer
Take a taxi or private car for the quickest, most flexible trip (about one to one-and-a-half hours), or catch a local bus or microbus from Kathmandu or Bhaktapur along the Araniko Highway via Banepa. Buses are cheap and frequent but slower, with stops along the way.
By bus
Local buses and microbuses to Dhulikhel leave regularly from Kathmandu (Ratna Park area) and from Bhaktapur, running through Banepa to the Dhulikhel bus park near the old town. The ride takes around two hours with stops. Many onward buses heading to the eastern hills also pass through, so connections are good.
By taxi or private car
A private car or taxi is the most comfortable option and lets you stop for photos along the ridge. It also makes it easy to combine Dhulikhel with Bhaktapur or Nagarkot on the same trip east, or to be dropped at a trailhead for the Namobuddha hike.
Good to know
- Leave Kathmandu early to avoid the worst valley-exit traffic.
- For sunrise, arrive the afternoon before and stay overnight.
- The route is the same highway used to reach the Bhote Koshi and the Tibet border, so it can be busy with trucks.
Once you arrive, sort out where to stay in Dhulikhel and browse the top things to do in Dhulikhel. For the bigger picture on transport, see our guides to getting around Nepal and Kathmandu to Bhaktapur.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel?+
The simplest options are a taxi or private car (about one to one-and-a-half hours, 30km) or a local bus from Kathmandu's Ratna Park or Bhaktapur bus stands along the Araniko Highway. Microbuses also run frequently via Banepa.
How long does it take to reach Dhulikhel?+
Around one to one-and-a-half hours by car depending on traffic getting out of the Kathmandu Valley. Local buses take longer, roughly two hours, as they stop often along the route through Bhaktapur and Banepa.
Is there a direct bus to Dhulikhel?+
Yes — frequent local buses and microbuses run from Kathmandu and Bhaktapur to Dhulikhel along the Araniko Highway, terminating near the old town. Many onward buses to the eastern hills also pass through Dhulikhel.
Can you do Dhulikhel as a day trip from Kathmandu?+
Yes, it is an easy day trip for the old town and a short hike, but the famous sunrise really requires an overnight stay. Many visitors combine Dhulikhel with Bhaktapur or Nagarkot on the same route east.
