How to Get to Bhaktapur from Kathmandu
Bhaktapur is 13km east of Kathmandu — 45 minutes by taxi, 1 hour by bus. Here are all the options with current fares.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Local Bus | Starting from $0.25 | 60–75 min |
| Pathao / InDrive | Starting from $10Varies with traffic conditions and weather | ~45 min |
| Private CarBest option | Starting from $20 | ~45 min |
Option 1 — Local Bus (Budget)
Starting from $0.25 · 60–75 minutes
The cheapest way. From Kalanki bus park (western Kathmandu) or Ratna Park (central), take a microbus or local bus headed to Bhaktapur. Fare: starting from $0.25. The bus drops you at Bhaktapur's main bus park near the western entrance gate — exactly where the ticket counter is.
Avoid rush hour (8–10am and 5–7pm) — the Kathmandu ring road gets slow and the journey can stretch to 90 minutes. Outside rush hour it's a reasonable 60–75 minutes.
Note: The Safa Tempo (electric trolleybus) route to Bhaktapur no longer operates. The microbus is the current budget option.
Option 2 — Pathao or InDrive
Starting from $10 · ~45 minutes
Both Pathao and InDrive operate in Kathmandu and can reach Bhaktapur. The main advantage over street taxis: the price is shown upfront before you confirm — no negotiation, no guessing. Starting from $10. The fare may vary with traffic conditions and weather.
Pathao is the more reliable option on this route. Download the app before you need it — full registration requires a Nepali phone number, though basic bookings work with a tourist SIM. InDrive is an alternative that allows price bidding.
Option 3 — Private Car
Best optionStarting from $20 · ~45 minutes
A private car and driver take you from your hotel to Bhaktapur and back, on your schedule. No guide is included — just the car. You leave when you are ready and skip the bus and ride-share wait.
Starting from $20. If you want a guide as well, the full-day Nagarkot and Bhaktapur tour includes a private car, local guide, and Everest-view breakfast — from $65 per person.
Distance & Route
Distance: 13km from central Kathmandu (Thamel) to Bhaktapur city centre. The main route runs via the Arniko Highway — east on the Ring Road to Koteshwor, then southeast toward Bhaktapur.
An alternative route through Thimi adds 5 minutes but passes through the pottery town of Thimi, which is worth seeing if you have time. Thimi is another ancient Newari settlement known for its clay workshops — a quieter preview of what you'll see in Bhaktapur's Pottery Square.
Thamel → Bhaktapur
13km · ~45 min normal traffic
Rush hour (8–10am / 5–7pm)
Up to 75 minutes
Bus drop-off point
Main bus park, near western entrance gate
Getting Back from Bhaktapur to Kathmandu
All of the above options work in reverse. Taxis are easy to find near the main western entrance gate of Bhaktapur — drivers wait there specifically for tourists leaving the city. Expect to pay starting from $8 to Thamel or central Kathmandu.
The local bus runs from Bhaktapur's main bus park (a 2-minute walk from the entrance gate) back to Ratna Park or Kalanki starting from $0.25. Pathao and InDrive also work well for the return journey — open the app from inside the old city and your driver will meet you at the gate.
If you arranged a private car with a guide, return transport is included. The guide will bring the car to wherever you're finishing — usually after lunch near Taumadhi Square.
Common questions
How long does it take to get from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur?
By taxi or private car: approximately 45 minutes in normal traffic, up to 75 minutes during morning or evening rush hour (8–10am, 5–7pm). By local bus: 60–75 minutes. Bhaktapur is 13km east of central Kathmandu via the Arniko Highway.
Is there a direct bus from Thamel to Bhaktapur?
There is no direct bus from Thamel to Bhaktapur. You need to first get to Kalanki bus park (western Kathmandu) or Ratna Park (central), then take a local microbus or bus to Bhaktapur. The fare from those points starts from $0.25. A taxi directly from Thamel to Bhaktapur starts from $8 and is far simpler.
Can I take a Pathao to Bhaktapur?
Yes. Pathao operates on this route and is a reliable option. Expect starting from $10. The price may vary with traffic conditions and weather, and it is shown upfront before you confirm the ride. Download the Pathao app in advance — it requires a Nepali SIM for full registration, though some features work with tourist SIMs.
How do I get back from Bhaktapur to Kathmandu?
Taxis are easy to find near the main western entrance gate of Bhaktapur — expect to pay starting from $8 to Thamel or central Kathmandu. The local bus runs from Bhaktapur's main bus park back to Ratna Park or Kalanki (starting from $0.25). Pathao and InDrive also work for the return journey. If you arranged a private car with a guide, return transport is included.
Is it worth hiring a private car for Bhaktapur?
For a half-day visit to Bhaktapur only, a taxi is sufficient. A private car with a guide adds real value if you're combining Bhaktapur with Nagarkot, or if you want someone to navigate the ticket counter, explain the temples, and know where to eat Juju Dhau. The Outdoor Nagarkot guided tour (from $65) includes private car, guide, and Nagarkot sunrise — it's the best value if you want both places in one day.
Skip the logistics — book a private Bhaktapur tour
Private car, local guide, Nagarkot sunrise, and Bhaktapur's old city — all in one day from your Kathmandu hotel. From $65 per person.