Kathmandu to Besisahar: Bus, Jeep, Cost, Time and Route
Kathmandu to Besisahar is about 175 to 180km by road. A private vehicle usually takes 5 to 7 hours, and a public bus around 7 to 9 hours. Buses cost about NPR 700 to 1,500 per person. A private jeep costs about USD 170 to 220, and a private HiAce for a larger group about NPR 26,000.
Buses leave early in the morning from Gongabu Bus Park in Kathmandu. Fares, departure times and operators change, so check the current service when you book.
- Distance: about 175 to 180km, via the Prithvi Highway through Mugling and Dumre
- Private vehicle: 5 to 7 hours
- Public bus: 7 to 9 hours
- Bus fare: about NPR 700 to 1,500 per person, depending on the bus
- Private car: about USD 120 to 160 per vehicle
- Private jeep: about USD 170 to 220 per vehicle
- Private HiAce: about NPR 26,000 per vehicle
- Departure point: Gongabu Bus Park (New Bus Park), Kathmandu
- Departure times: early morning, roughly 6:00 to 8:30am
- MountainKick transfers: private vehicles for any group size. WhatsApp us your dates and group size.
Last updated: October 2026
Besisahar is the traditional starting point of the Annapurna Circuit. These days many trekkers drive further up the valley before they start walking, but Besisahar is still the main road gateway to the Marsyangdi valley and the route to Chame, Manang, the Thorong La and Muktinath.
This guide covers the main ways to get there, with realistic prices, journey times and what to expect on the road. If you’re heading to Besisahar for the Annapurna Circuit, see our Annapurna Circuit Trek for the full itinerary and what’s included.
How to Get from Kathmandu to Besisahar
| Option | Cost | Journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public bus or minibus | about NPR 700 to 1,500 per person | 7 to 9 hours | Budget travellers |
| Private car | about USD 120 to 160 per vehicle | 5 to 7 hours | 1 to 3 people |
| Private jeep | about USD 170 to 220 per vehicle | 5 to 7 hours | Small groups |
| Private HiAce | about NPR 26,000 per vehicle | 6 to 7 hours | Larger groups |
Private vehicle prices are MountainKick’s transfer estimates. Actual prices vary with the vehicle, season and group size.
Kathmandu to Besisahar by Bus
The public bus from Gongabu Bus Park is the cheapest way to reach Besisahar. Buses leave every morning. Take the earliest one you can, so you arrive in daylight with time to find a room and sort out cash.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Departure point | Gongabu Bus Park (New Bus Park), Kathmandu |
| Departure time | early morning, roughly 6:00 to 8:30am |
| Fare | about NPR 700 to 1,500 per person |
| Travel time | 7 to 9 hours |
| Distance | about 175 to 180km |
| Arrival | Besisahar Bus Park |
Gongabu is north of Thamel, a short taxi ride away (usually NPR 250 to 400). You can often buy a ticket at the bus park, and some services can be booked ahead. If you have a fixed trek start date, booking ahead is safer. Most buses on this route are local buses or minibuses. Fares vary by bus and service, so check the current price when you book.
What is the bus like?
It’s a local mountain bus, not a luxury coach. The Kathmandu to Mugling section is a busy main highway, and traffic can slow it down. After Dumre, the road follows the Marsyangdi River to Besisahar and gets narrower, bumpier and slower. Expect plenty of stops. Minibuses are a bit more comfortable than the full-size buses.
For solo budget travellers, it works fine. For groups, couples or anyone straight off a long international flight, a private vehicle is worth the extra cost.
Kathmandu to Besisahar by Private Jeep, Car or HiAce
A private vehicle is the most comfortable and the quickest option. You’re picked up at your hotel, you choose when to leave, and you can stop for meals and breaks. It takes 5 to 7 hours.
Private car: best for 1 to 3 people
A car fits up to 3 or 4 people with trekking gear and costs about USD 120 to 160. It’s a good choice for couples or solo travellers who want door-to-door comfort.
Private jeep: best for small groups
A jeep handles the narrower road after Dumre well and costs about USD 170 to 220. How many people fit depends on the vehicle and your luggage. A jeep can also take you on past Besisahar to Chame or Manang if you want to skip the lower valley.
Private HiAce: best for larger groups
A Toyota HiAce van costs about NPR 26,000 for the vehicle, so shared between a larger group it works out cheap per person. How many people fit comfortably depends on how much luggage you have. Local shared microbuses also run on this route from Gongabu.
MountainKick private transfers to Besisahar
We arrange private transfers on this route for any group size: a car for couples, a jeep for small groups and a HiAce for larger groups. We pick up from your hotel anywhere in Kathmandu and take you to Besisahar, or further up the valley if you need. Book it as a standalone transfer or as part of your Annapurna Circuit trek.
WhatsApp: +977 985 118 2718. Send us your group size, dates and pickup location, and we’ll confirm the right vehicle and price within a few hours.
Book Your Transfer → View Annapurna Circuit Trek →Can You Fly to Pokhara and Drive to Besisahar?
Yes, but it rarely makes sense if Besisahar is where you’re going. Once you add airport time and the drive from Pokhara, it’s seldom faster than driving straight from Kathmandu, and it usually costs more. It only works well if you already want to spend time in Pokhara. Pokhara flights can also be delayed by weather, especially in the monsoon (June to September).
The Route and Road Conditions
The road follows the Prithvi Highway west from Kathmandu through Naubise, Malekhu and Mugling, then turns north at Dumre. Kathmandu to Mugling is the busy main highway that also carries Pokhara traffic. Mugling to Dumre is straightforward. From Dumre, the road leaves the highway and follows the Marsyangdi River north to Besisahar. This last part is narrower, windier and slower, a typical Nepali mountain road.
The road is open to cars, jeeps and buses in normal conditions, but heavy rain and landslides can cause problems, especially in the monsoon. Mugling, roughly halfway, is the usual stop for a meal.
When You Arrive in Besisahar
Besisahar is at about 760m and is the district headquarters of Lamjung. It’s a small town, but it has what you need the night before the trek: places to stay, shops and ATMs.
Permits
Before starting the Annapurna Circuit, you need the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and trek registration. Permit and guide requirements can change, so MountainKick checks the current rules before departure and handles the paperwork for its trekkers. See our Nepal trekking permits guide.
Cash
Besisahar has ATMs, and it’s a good place to top up your cash. Some villages higher up, like Chame and Manang, have ATMs too, but they’re less reliable and can run out in peak season. Meals aren’t included in most trek packages, so budget around $30 to $40 a day for food and drinks, more around Manang and Thorong Phedi. See our Annapurna Circuit food prices guide for real menu prices.
Besisahar to Chame: Should You Drive On?
The road now runs well beyond Besisahar. You can drive to Chame (2,670m) or even Manang if you want to skip the lower valley. If you have time, walking from Besisahar through Bhulbhule, Ngadi and Tal is a lovely introduction to the valley before the altitude starts. If your schedule is tight, driving to Chame makes sense.
Getting from Besisahar to Chame
- Public bus: a regular Besisahar to Chame bus service began in 2025. The launch fare was NPR 740 one way, although fares and how often it runs can change.
- Shared jeep: around NPR 2,500 to 3,000 per person. Jeeps leave the Besisahar jeep stand when they’re full, and fares vary with season, demand and road conditions. In peak season (October, November, March and April) they fill fast.
- Private jeep: your guide or trekking company can book one in advance.
If you’d rather go straight from Kathmandu to Chame, see our Kathmandu to Chame transport guide. For the full trek budget, see our Annapurna Circuit trek cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Kathmandu from Besisahar?
About 175 to 180km by road, along the Prithvi Highway to Mugling and Dumre, then north up the Marsyangdi valley.
How long does it take from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
A private vehicle takes 5 to 7 hours, and a public bus 7 to 9 hours. Kathmandu traffic can add time, so leave early.
What is the cheapest way from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
The public bus or minibus from Gongabu Bus Park, at about NPR 700 to 1,500 per person. Allow 7 to 9 hours.
Where do buses to Besisahar leave from in Kathmandu?
Gongabu Bus Park, also called New Bus Park, north of Thamel. A taxi there usually costs NPR 250 to 400. Buses leave early in the morning, roughly 6:00 to 8:30am.
How much is a private jeep from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
About USD 170 to 220 per vehicle. A private car is about USD 120 to 160. Contact us with your group size and dates for a quote.
How much is a HiAce from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
A private HiAce costs about NPR 26,000 per vehicle, which works well for larger groups. Shared microbuses also run from Gongabu at bus-type fares.
Can I get from Besisahar to Chame by road?
Yes. A public bus has run to Chame since 2025, and shared jeeps cost around NPR 2,500 to 3,000 per person. Private jeeps go to Chame and Manang. Many trekkers on shorter itineraries drive to Chame and start walking there.
What is the road like from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
Kathmandu to Dumre is a busy main highway. Dumre to Besisahar is narrower and windier, following the Marsyangdi River. It’s open in normal conditions, but heavy rain and landslides can cause delays, especially from June to September.
Need a transfer from Kathmandu to Besisahar?
MountainKick arranges private transfers for any group size. Send us your group size, pickup location and date, and we’ll confirm the vehicle and price within a few hours. Book it on its own or as part of an Annapurna Circuit trek. WhatsApp: +977 985 118 2718.
Book Transfer → View Annapurna Circuit Trek →
