Getting around · Nepal
Kathmandu Public Buses and Microbuses
How to ride Kathmandu's cheap local buses and microbuses — routes, fares and how to board.
Kathmandu's public buses and microbuses are the cheapest way to cross the valley — most rides cost just NPR 20–50, paid in cash to the conductor on board. They are also slow, crowded and confusing for newcomers, with no tourist-friendly route maps. For budget-minded, adventurous travellers willing to ask directions, though, they are an authentic and dirt-cheap way to get around.
Buses vs microbuses
- Buses: larger, slower vehicles that stop often along the main corridors and around the Ring Road. Cheapest, but the most crowded and least nimble.
- Microbuses: smaller vans running similar routes; a bit faster, but they pack passengers in tightly and only leave when reasonably full.
Both are privately operated, so service is informal rather than scheduled.
How to find the right one
Routes are not signposted for visitors. Instead:
- Destinations are painted on the front of the vehicle and shouted by the conductor leaning out the door.
- Ask a local or your guesthouse which bus serves your destination — by far the simplest method.
- Tell the conductor where you are going as you board; they will signal when to get off.
Common hubs include the area around Ratna Park and the Ring Road, from which buses fan out to Bhaktapur, Patan, Kirtipur and the valley edges.
How to ride
- Flag it down or board at a known stop — they slow rather than fully stop.
- Squeeze in and hold on; standing is normal at peak times.
- Pay the conductor in cash once moving; carry small notes and coins.
- Call your stop or watch for it — there are no announcements.
Tips for tourists
- Travel light — there is little room for big bags.
- Avoid rush hour (morning and evening) if you can; crowding peaks then.
- Mind your valuables in the crush.
If the crowds are too much, the electric tempos and tuk-tuks in Kathmandu run similarly cheap fixed routes with a bit more breathing room. For door-to-door ease, compare ride-hailing in Nepal or learn to flag a cab with our Kathmandu taxis and fair fares guide. See the full menu at the Kathmandu and Pokhara city transport hub, and plan longer journeys with getting around Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a local bus cost in Kathmandu?+
Local buses and microbuses are extremely cheap, with most rides costing only NPR 20 to 50 depending on distance. You pay the conductor in cash once you are on board, so carry small notes and coins. It is by far the cheapest way to cross the valley, though slow and crowded.
How do I know which bus to take in Kathmandu?+
Routes are not signposted in a tourist-friendly way; destinations are usually painted on the front and called out by the conductor leaning from the door. The easiest method is to ask locals or your guesthouse for the right bus to your destination, or simply tell the conductor where you are going.
What is the difference between a bus and a microbus in Kathmandu?+
Full-size buses are larger, slower and stop frequently along main routes. Microbuses are smaller vans that run similar corridors, are a little faster and squeeze in as many passengers as possible. Both are cheap and run by private operators, and both can get very crowded at peak times.
Are Kathmandu buses good for tourists?+
They are cheap and authentic but challenging for newcomers, with no clear route maps, crowding, and stops you must call out yourself. They are best for adventurous, budget-minded travellers with a little local knowledge. For ease and speed, most visitors prefer ride apps or taxis.