Getting to Gorkha

Gorkha is reached only by road. Whether you come from Kathmandu, Pokhara or Bandipur, the route runs along the Prithvi Highway and then turns north at Abu Khaireni for the climb up to the hill town. There is no airport, so the choice is between a bus and a private vehicle. From Kathmandu, allow about five hours; from Pokhara, around three to four.

From Kathmandu

Head west along the Prithvi Highway to Abu Khaireni, then turn north onto the smaller road that climbs to Gorkha. Direct buses run but are limited, so many travellers take a westbound highway bus and change to a local bus at Abu Khaireni. The full journey takes roughly five hours. For a detailed breakdown of services and costs, see the dedicated Kathmandu to Gorkha route guide.

From Pokhara

From the lakeside, drive east along the Prithvi Highway to Abu Khaireni and turn north for the climb — about three to four hours in all. Gorkha makes a natural stop on the Pokhara–Kathmandu corridor, easily combined with Bandipur on the same highway.

From Bandipur

Bandipur sits just off the same highway, so Gorkha is a short hop away — back down to the Prithvi Highway, west to Abu Khaireni and north up to town. The two historic hill towns pair well in a single trip.

At a glance

From	Duration	Approx cost	Notes
Kathmandu	~5 hrs	USD 6–140	Bus or private car via Abu Khaireni
Pokhara	~3–4 hrs	USD 5–110	Eastbound on the Prithvi Highway
Bandipur	~2 hrs	Varies	Same highway corridor

Getting around once you arrive

Gorkha town itself is compact and walkable. The bazaar, the museum and the foot of the Durbar climb are all close together, so once you are settled you rarely need a vehicle within town. The one stretch that asks for transport is the Manakamana cable car, which sits a short drive out on the highway — arrange a taxi or include it in a private-car day if you plan to add it. Within the town, the only real climb is on foot up the stone steps to the ridge.

Tips

• Change at Abu Khaireni if no direct bus suits — local buses run up to town from there.
• Set out early so afternoon haze does not hide the mountain views from the ridge.
• Hire a car for comfort and to combine Gorkha and Bandipur in one trip.
• No flights — plan for a road journey of several hours whichever city you start from.
• Carry small notes for local buses, taxis and the change at Abu Khaireni.

Once you arrive, base yourself in Gorkha Bazaar and follow our Gorkha itinerary for the climb to the Gorkha Durbar. Time your trip with the best time to visit Gorkha, browse more things to do in Gorkha, and read the wider Gorkha travel guide before you go.