Getting around · Nepal
Kathmandu to Besisahar
A 5-6 hour bus or jeep from Kathmandu to Besisahar, gateway to the Annapurna Circuit — costs, road conditions and tips.
Kathmandu to Besisahar is the standard start of the Annapurna Circuit trek, the gateway to the Marsyangdi valley in Lamjung district. The drive takes about 5-6 hours: west along the Prithvi Highway, then north from Dumre to the bustling trailhead town. There is no flight, so this is a road journey — but a relatively easy one, on mostly sealed roads as far as Besisahar.
At a glance
| Mode | Duration | Approx cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist bus | ~5-6 hrs | USD 8-12 | Morning departures from Kathmandu |
| Local bus | ~6-7 hrs | USD 6-10 | Cheapest, more stops, crowded |
| Shared jeep | ~5-6 hrs | USD 15-25 per seat | Faster, can continue up the valley |
| Private jeep | ~5-6 hrs | USD 120-180 | Whole vehicle, flexible timing |
By bus
Buses to Besisahar leave Kathmandu in the morning from the Gongabu / New Bus Park area. There are both basic local buses and some tourist-class services; either way you change from the highway at Dumre onto the Besisahar road. The fare is low, and a morning bus gets you to Besisahar by early afternoon — enough time to organise a jeep or settle in before starting the trek the next day.
By private car or jeep
A shared or private jeep is the more comfortable and flexible choice. Shared jeeps fill and leave through the day; a private 4WD lets you set your own pace and, importantly, continue beyond Besisahar up the rough valley road towards Chame, which many trekkers do to skip the dusty lower stages. For a group, a private jeep often works out as good value and saves time.
By air
There is no flight to Besisahar — the town has no airstrip and is reached only by road. Because it sits a manageable half-day from Kathmandu on decent roads, overland travel is the natural and only sensible choice for this trailhead.
Which option to choose
For most trekkers a morning bus is cheap and perfectly adequate to reach Besisahar. Choose a shared or private jeep if you want more comfort, flexible timing, or plan to push straight on up the valley to a higher starting point. Groups should compare the cost of a private jeep, which can rival per-seat bus fares while adding convenience.
Tips
- Take a morning departure so you arrive with time to arrange onward jeeps or rest.
- Carry your ACAP permit and TIMS card, arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara beforehand.
- Beyond Besisahar the road is rough and dusty — a buff and motion-sickness tablets help.
- In the monsoon (June-September), allow extra time for landslides on the upper valley road.
See the full getting around Nepal guide for the wider picture. Comparing trailhead drives or onward legs? See Kathmandu to Syabrubesi for Langtang, or the high-mountain hop in Pokhara to Jomsom & Muktinath.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Kathmandu to Besisahar?+
The drive takes about 5-6 hours. You follow the Prithvi Highway west, then turn north at Dumre to Besisahar. Traffic on the highway, roadwork or monsoon conditions can add time, so leave early if you plan to continue up the valley.
Is there a flight from Kathmandu to Besisahar?+
No, there is no flight to Besisahar. It is reached only by road. As the Annapurna Circuit trailhead it is well served by buses and jeeps, and the overland trip is a manageable half-day from Kathmandu.
How much does the Kathmandu to Besisahar trip cost?+
A tourist or local bus seat is cheap, usually around USD 7-12. A shared jeep costs a little more per seat, while a private jeep for the whole vehicle is roughly USD 120-180, split between trekkers.
Can I continue past Besisahar towards Manang by jeep?+
Yes. A rough jeep road now continues from Besisahar up the Marsyangdi valley towards Chame and beyond. Many trekkers take a local jeep from Besisahar to skip the lower, dusty road sections and start walking higher up.
What is the road to Besisahar like?+
The Prithvi Highway to Dumre is mostly sealed, and the side road from Dumre to Besisahar is a decent paved road. It is the rougher jeep track beyond Besisahar, deeper into the valley, that becomes bumpy and unpaved.
