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| Nepal Travel Guide |
🌄 Introduction – Why Visit Nepal from Kolkata?
Hey travel lovers! 🌏💫 If you’ve ever dreamt of exploring the majestic Himalayas, spiritual temples, and serene valleys, Nepal should be on your bucket list! 🇳🇵✨ This tiny yet breathtaking country offers a mix of adventure, spirituality, and peace.
From Kolkata, you can easily reach Nepal by train, flight, or road — whichever suits your comfort and budget. Whether you’re planning a short trip to Kathmandu, a spiritual visit to Lumbini (the birthplace of Lord Buddha), or an adventurous trek to Pokhara, this guide will walk you through everything step-by-step! 🚗🚆✈️
Let’s dive into this complete Nepal travel guide from Kolkata, including how to reach, costs, border crossing info, and the best time to visit. 🌤️
🗺️ Route Overview – Kolkata to Nepal Distance
The distance between Kolkata and Kathmandu (capital of Nepal) is around 710 km (air distance) and about 900–1,000 km by road depending on the route you take.
You can reach Nepal through:
- ✈️ By Air: Kolkata → Kathmandu (Direct Flight)
- 🚆 By Train: Kolkata → Raxaul → Birgunj → Kathmandu/Pokhara
- 🚗 By Road: Kolkata → Siliguri → Kakarbhitta → Kathmandu
✈️ By Air – Kolkata to Kathmandu Flight Guide
🛫 Direct Flights from Kolkata to Kathmandu
The fastest way to reach Nepal is by flight. Daily flights operate from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu.
Airlines available:
- Indigo 🟦
- Air India 🇮🇳
- Nepal Airlines 🇳🇵
⏰ Flight Duration
The flight takes around 1 hour 15 minutes — quick, comfortable, and ideal for short vacations!
💰 Flight Ticket Price
- Economy fare (one-way): ₹6,000–₹12,000 (depending on season).
- Round trip: ₹12,000–₹20,000 (approx).
💡 Pro Tip: Book your flight 2–3 weeks in advance on sites like MakeMyTrip or Skyscanner to grab deals.
🧳 Entry Requirements
Indian citizens don’t need a visa for entering Nepal! 🎉
Just carry:
- A valid Passport or Voter ID Card
- If traveling by air, Aadhar Card is not accepted.
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| Nepal Photo |
🚆 By Train – Kolkata to Nepal via Raxaul Route
🚉 Route Overview
There’s no direct train from Kolkata to Kathmandu, but you can easily reach the Nepal border through Raxaul Junction (Bihar), which connects to Birgunj (Nepal).
Step-by-step journey:
- Kolkata → Raxaul (by train)
- Raxaul → Birgunj (border crossing)
- Birgunj → Kathmandu/Pokhara (by bus or taxi)
🚄 Trains from Kolkata to Raxaul
Some popular trains:
- Mithila Express (Train No. 13021)
- Howrah–Raxaul Express (Train No. 13043)
- Tirhut Express (via Muzaffarpur)
Time Duration: 12–14 hours (overnight journey)
Ticket Price: ₹500–₹1,000 (Sleeper to AC 3-Tier)
Once you reach Raxaul Junction, you can easily walk or take an e-rickshaw to Birgunj (Nepal) border gate — it’s just 3 km away! 🚶♂️🇳🇵
🚕 From Birgunj to Kathmandu
- Distance: ~280 km
- Travel Time: 7–8 hours
- Bus Fare: ₹500–₹800
- Shared Taxi: ₹1,000–₹1,500
🌿 Note: Roads are scenic but hilly, so keep motion-sickness medicine handy if you’re sensitive to mountain drives!
🚗 By Road – Kolkata to Nepal Road Trip Guide
If you love adventure and want to enjoy scenic mountain roads, a road trip from Kolkata to Nepal is a fantastic choice! 🚗💨
🛣️ Route Options
Route 1 (Most Popular):
Kolkata → Siliguri → Kakarbhitta (Nepal Border) → Dharan → Kathmandu
Route 2 (Via Raxaul):
Kolkata → Patna → Motihari → Raxaul → Birgunj → Kathmandu
Distance: Around 950–1,000 km
Time Duration: 20–22 hours (driving time, excluding breaks)
🪪 Border Crossing Requirements
- Indian Passport or Voter ID (mandatory for entry)
- Vehicle documents: Registration, Driving License, Pollution Certificate, and Insurance
- Pay a small road permit fee (approx ₹100–₹150/day) at the border
🏕️ Road Trip Experience
The drive is thrilling! You’ll pass through tea gardens 🌿, hilly terrains 🏔️, and small Nepalese towns filled with warm hospitality ❤️
🏨 Where to Stay in Nepal – Budget & Comfort Options
Whether you’re a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Nepal has all types of accommodation.
| City | Budget Hotels (₹800–₹1500) | Mid-range (₹2000–₹4000) | Luxury (₹5000+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Thamel Eco Resort, Hotel Silver Home | Hotel Shanker, Aryatara Kathmandu | Hyatt Regency, Dwarika’s Hotel |
| Pokhara | Hotel Iceland, Zostel | Hotel Lakefront | Temple Tree Resort |
| Lumbini | Dreamland Guesthouse | Buddha Maya Garden Hotel | Lumbini Hokke Hotel |
💡 Tip: For budget stays, check Booking.com, Agoda, or Airbnb Nepal.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit Nepal
| Season | Months | Weather | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Pleasant, flowers bloom 🌸 | Trekking, sightseeing |
| Monsoon | June–September | Rainy, landslides possible ☔ | Avoid long treks |
| Autumn | October–November | Clear skies, best views 🌈 | Adventure, photography |
| Winter | December–February | Cold ❄️ | Kathmandu sightseeing |
👉 The best time to visit Nepal is October to November or March to May when the weather is perfect and visibility is clear for mountain views! 🏔️
🕌 Top Places to Visit in Nepal
1. Kathmandu – The Heart of Nepal 🇳🇵
Explore ancient temples like Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), and Durbar Square. Wander around Thamel Market for souvenirs 🛍️ and local Nepali food 🍜.
2. Pokhara – The City of Lakes 🏞️
A paradise for peace lovers! Enjoy boating in Phewa Lake, visit Davis Falls, and catch sunrise views from Sarangkot.
3. Lumbini – Birthplace of Buddha 🕊️
A must-visit for spiritual travelers. Visit Maya Devi Temple, Ashokan Pillar, and the monastic zone.
4. Chitwan National Park 🐘
Go for a jungle safari! Spot rhinos, elephants, and maybe even a tiger if you’re lucky 🐅.
5. Nagarkot – For Stunning Himalayan Views 🌄
Just a few hours from Kathmandu, Nagarkot is known for breathtaking sunrise views of Mount Everest.
💰 Trip Budget – Kolkata to Nepal Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Budget Traveler (₹) | Mid-range Traveler (₹) | Luxury Traveler (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport (round trip) | 3,000–6,000 | 8,000–12,000 | 15,000+ |
| Stay (4 nights) | 3,000 | 6,000 | 12,000+ |
| Food (per day) | 400–600 | 800–1200 | 2000+ |
| Sightseeing/Permits | 1,000 | 2,000 | 4,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,000 | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| Total (5 Days) | ₹8,000–₹10,000 | ₹15,000–₹20,000 | ₹35,000+ |
💡 You can easily plan a 5-day Nepal trip under ₹10,000 if you choose train and budget stays!
🧭 Required Documents for Indians
✅ Valid Passport or Voter ID Card
✅ PAN Card (for currency exchange)
✅ Hotel Booking Proof (sometimes checked at border)
✅ Driving License (if road tripping)
🍛 Must-Try Nepali Foods
- 🥟 Momos – Nepal’s favorite snack
- 🍲 Thukpa – Warm noodle soup for cold weather
- 🍛 Dal Bhat – Staple Nepali meal
- 🍺 Tongba – Local millet drink (for adults)
Don’t miss the street momos in Thamel or Pokhara — they’re delicious! 😋
💡 Travel Tips for First-Timers
- Carry some Nepalese Rupees (NPR) — Indian ₹100 notes are accepted, but not ₹500/₹2000.
- Internet SIM: Buy Ncell or NTC SIM in Nepal for ₹200–₹300.
- Carry light jackets even in summer — mountain weather changes quickly!
- Download Google Maps offline before traveling.
- Respect local culture — remove shoes at temples and dress modestly.
🏁 Final Thoughts – Journey from Kolkata to Nepal
Traveling from Kolkata to Nepal is an unforgettable experience that combines spirituality, adventure, and breathtaking natural beauty 🌿🗻✨. Whether you choose a flight for comfort, a train for budget travel, or a road trip for adventure, Nepal will reward you with warm hospitality and stunning landscapes.
So pack your bags 🎒, charge your camera 📸, and get ready to say “Namaste Nepal!” 🙏🇳🇵