Getting around · Nepal
India to Nepal Border Crossing Guide
Crossing the India–Nepal border by land at Sunauli, Birgunj or Kakarbhitta — immigration, visa on arrival and onward transport.
Crossing into Nepal overland from India is common and straightforward for eligible travellers: stamp out of India, walk across, and get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at the Nepali immigration office. The main crossings are Sunauli/Belahiya, Raxaul/Birgunj, Kakarbhitta/Panitanki in the east, and Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi in the west. Each connects to a different part of the country, so choose the one that matches your route.
The short answer
Pick your crossing by destination, get your Indian exit stamp, walk to the Nepali immigration office, and obtain your visa on arrival (Indian citizens need none). Pay the fee in US-dollar cash, then catch a bus or shared jeep onward. Cross in daylight and read the Nepal visa guide and Nepal trip planning essentials before you go.
The main crossings
- Sunauli / Belahiya — the most popular tourist crossing, near Bhairahawa. Ideal for Lumbini, Pokhara and Kathmandu.
- Raxaul / Birgunj — the central trade gateway, with bus links to Kathmandu via the Tribhuvan and BP highways.
- Kakarbhitta / Panitanki — the eastern crossing, handy if you're coming from Darjeeling, Siliguri or the Indian northeast, and the route to Ilam tea country.
- Nepalgunj / Rupaidiha and Dhangadhi / Gauriphanta — western crossings for Bardia National Park and the far west.
Immigration and visa
The Indian and Nepali immigration offices are separate, sometimes a short walk apart, so don't skip either:
- Exit India. Get your departure stamp at the Indian immigration post.
- Enter Nepal. Walk to the Nepali office, complete the arrival form, pay the visa fee in cash (US dollars easiest), and collect your visa.
Visa on arrival is available to eligible nationalities at all the main borders, exactly as at the airport. Indian citizens cross without a visa but should carry valid photo ID. Keep your passport, photos and cash within reach, and cross during daylight when offices are reliably staffed and onward transport runs.
Money and onward travel
Change a little money for the first leg — there are exchange counters and ATMs in border towns like Bhairahawa and Birgunj, though rates improve inland (see changing money in Nepal). For Indian rupees, remember Nepal restricts high-value notes, so don't rely on large denominations.
Onward, buses and shared jeeps are frequent:
- From Sunauli/Bhairahawa — regular services to Pokhara and Kathmandu, with Lumbini minutes away.
- From Birgunj — buses to Kathmandu over slow mountain highways.
- From Kakarbhitta — connections to Ilam, Dharan and beyond.
Allow most of a day for the onward ride, as Nepal's roads are winding and slow. Plan the next legs with getting around Nepal, and check the is Nepal safe guide for sensible precautions on long overland journeys.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main India–Nepal border crossings?+
The busiest are Sunauli/Belahiya (for Lumbini, Pokhara and Kathmandu), Raxaul/Birgunj (the central trade route), Kakarbhitta/Panitanki in the east (for Darjeeling and the hills), and the western points of Nepalgunj/Rupaidiha and Dhangadhi/Gauriphanta for Bardia and the far west.
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival at a land border?+
Yes. Eligible nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival at the main land borders, the same as at Kathmandu airport. You fill in the form at the immigration office, pay the fee in cash, and get your visa. Indian citizens do not need a visa at all.
Do I have to stamp out of India and into Nepal separately?+
Yes. The two immigration offices are separate and can be a short walk apart. Get your Indian exit stamp at the Indian post, then walk across and complete Nepali immigration for your visa. Crossings are open long hours, but do it in daylight and keep your documents handy.
How do I reach Kathmandu or Pokhara from the border?+
From Sunauli/Bhairahawa, frequent buses and shared jeeps run to Pokhara and Kathmandu, with Lumbini just a short hop away. From Birgunj, buses head to Kathmandu via the Tribhuvan or BP highways. Allow most of a day, as roads are slow and winding.
