You can get from Kathmandu to Pokhara by bus or plane.
We decided to take a bus as according to some web resources planes can be delayed for a few days depending on the weather and busses are also cheaper. Plus, you get to enjoy beautiful views and get a bit of taste of day to day life in Nepal when passing little villages on the way.
Depending on your budget and needs there are several bus options available.
Tourist bus
We took a so-called “tourist bus” to get to Pokhara. Tickets cost between 600-800 Rs. We got the tickets from the hostel where we stayed, and this is a pretty common practice. Apparently, you won’t save much money even if you try to get it directly from the bus station.
Buses leave at 7 am from Sorakhutte (North/West of Thamel). It’s a good idea to be at the spot by 6.30 am. The journey takes about 7 hours, and I will write more about it in the next post.
Be aware of common scams with allocated seats. Bus conductors often put tourists at the back of the bus (despite seat allocation marked on the tickets) and locals in front of the bus. Don’t be afraid to speak up if it’s important for you to get specific seats as the road can be bumpy.
Local bus
If you’re on a budget or feel slightly more adventurers, you can take a local bus which leaves from Gongabu “New Bus Park”. It should cost around 500 Rs, and it stops a lot, so it might take up to 8-10 hours to get to Pokhara. Local buses also not as comfortable as tourist buses.
Deluxe bus
Companies like Jagadamba Travel, Greenline, or Travel Nepal Bus/Global Vacation Tour offer more comfortable air-conditioned busses with lunch and water usually included in the ticket. It cost around 2500 Rs.