Getting around · Nepal
India-Nepal Border Crossing Onward Transport
Buses and shared jeeps onward from Sunauli, Birgunj and Kakarbhitta to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini and the eastern hills.
Once you've cleared immigration, getting onward from the India-Nepal border is straightforward: buses and shared jeeps run frequently from each crossing into the rest of Nepal. The crossing you use determines your easiest connections — Sunauli/Bhairahawa for Lumbini, Pokhara and Kathmandu; Raxaul/Birgunj for Kathmandu; Kakarbhitta for the eastern hills. For the immigration and visa side of things, read our India-Nepal border crossing guide first; this one focuses purely on the onward journey. For the wider picture, see our intercity transport guide.
From Sunauli / Bhairahawa
The most popular tourist crossing. Pick up onward transport in Bhairahawa, a few kilometres inside Nepal where the main bus park sits:
- Lumbini — minutes away by local bus or taxi; ideal first stop.
- Pokhara — around 5–6 hours by tourist or local bus, with morning departures.
- Kathmandu — most of a day on the winding highway; day buses are the safer choice.
Cross early and you can reach Lumbini or Pokhara the same day comfortably.
From Raxaul / Birgunj
The central trade gateway. Bus stands sit close to the immigration post, with services to Kathmandu via the Tribhuvan and BP highways — slow, mountainous and a full day's ride. There are connections into the central Terai too. Travel by day where you can, given the climbing, twisting road.
From Kakarbhitta
The eastern crossing, handy from Darjeeling, Siliguri and the Indian northeast. Onward buses and shared jeeps run to Ilam tea country, Dharan, Biratnagar and on toward Kathmandu. The eastern Terai's flatter highway makes some long-haul night services here less daunting than mountain routes — see the trade-offs in our night buses in Nepal guide.
Bus or shared jeep?
- Tourist buses offer assigned seats on the main routes but run mostly in the morning — compare classes in our tourist bus vs local bus guide.
- Local buses are cheapest and most frequent, but slow and crowded.
- Shared jeeps are faster than local buses for the price, splitting a vehicle between passengers.
Practical tips
- Cross in the morning so you can travel onward in daylight and avoid an unplanned overnight.
- Change a little money at the border for the first leg; rates improve inland.
- Allow most of a day for any onward ride, as Nepal's roads are winding and slow.
- Keep documents and cash handy until you've checked into your first stop.
Plan the legs that follow with our getting around Nepal overview.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from the India-Nepal border to Kathmandu?+
From Sunauli/Bhairahawa, frequent buses and shared jeeps run to Kathmandu, taking most of a day on slow, winding roads. From Raxaul/Birgunj, buses head to Kathmandu via the Tribhuvan or BP highways. Day buses are safer than overnight ones on these mountainous routes, so cross in the morning and travel in daylight where you can.
How do I reach Pokhara or Lumbini from the border?+
Sunauli/Bhairahawa is the gateway for both. Lumbini is only a short hop away by local bus or taxi, while Pokhara is around 5 to 6 hours by tourist or local bus. Several morning departures make it easy to reach either the same day if you cross early.
Where do buses leave from at the border towns?+
From Sunauli you typically catch onward transport in Bhairahawa, a few kilometres inside Nepal, where the main bus park is. At Birgunj and Kakarbhitta, bus stands sit close to the immigration post. Shared jeeps and local buses run frequently through the day, with some long-haul night services too.
Should I take a day bus or night bus from the border?+
Day buses are safer and let you see the scenery, but they mean an overnight near the border first if you cross late. Long-haul night buses save a day on far routes but run on winding mountain roads in the dark. For comfort and safety, cross early and travel on by day, or split the journey.