Things to do · Bandipur
Getting to Bandipur
How to reach Bandipur from Kathmandu or Pokhara — bus to Dumre then up the hill, or a private car, with times and tips.
Bandipur is one of the easiest detours in Nepal because it sits right on the main Kathmandu–Pokhara highway. The catch is that the town is up a hill off the road, so almost every journey ends the same way: reach the Dumre turn-off on the Prithvi Highway, then climb the short, steep road to the bazaar.
The short answer
Travel along the Prithvi Highway to Dumre by tourist bus, local bus or private car, then cover the final eight kilometres uphill to Bandipur by local jeep, bus or car. From Kathmandu allow five to six hours; from Pokhara, two and a half to three.
From Kathmandu
The drive west on the Prithvi Highway takes around five to six hours depending on traffic and roadworks. A private car is the simplest option, taking you door to door. By bus, board a Pokhara-bound service, get off at Dumre and switch to local transport up the hill. For full fares, schedules and tips, see our dedicated guide to travelling from Kathmandu to Bandipur.
From Pokhara
This is the shorter leg, roughly two and a half to three hours east along the same highway to Dumre, then up. It makes Bandipur an easy first or last stop on a Pokhara trip. The details — bus options, costs and the road — are covered in our guide to travelling from Pokhara to Bandipur.
The final climb from Dumre
Dumre is a small junction town, not a destination in itself. From here a winding road climbs about eight kilometres to Bandipur, taking twenty to thirty minutes by vehicle. Shared jeeps and local buses run up regularly through the day; a private car simply continues straight to the bazaar. If you arrive late, confirm onward transport in advance, as services thin out after dark.
Getting around once you arrive
Bandipur itself needs no transport. The bazaar is car-free and the main sights — the temples, the viewpoints and the silk farm — are all within an easy walk of the square, so you can leave any vehicle at the edge of town. Longer outings such as the cave or Ramkot village are reached on foot, or occasionally by a hired jeep on the rougher roads. This walkable layout is part of the town's appeal and means you do not need to arrange onward local transport for day-to-day exploring.
Practical tips
- Through-tickets vary: Some tourist buses sell to Bandipur but actually drop at Dumre — check whether the hill leg is included.
- Travel by day: The mountain views start on the climb, and connections at Dumre are easier in daylight.
- Time it with the weather: Skies are clearest in the dry seasons, so read up on the best time to visit Bandipur.
- Carry small notes: Local jeeps and buses up from Dumre are paid in cash, so have change ready.
Next steps
Once you have your route, plan your days with our Bandipur itinerary, see the sights in more things to do in Bandipur — including the easy Tundikhel viewpoint — and start with the overview in the Bandipur travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Bandipur?+
Bandipur sits just off the Prithvi Highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara. Most travellers take a bus or car along the highway to the Dumre turn-off, then drive the short, steep road up the hill to the town itself.
Where is the turn-off for Bandipur?+
The turn-off is at Dumre, a small junction town on the Prithvi Highway. From Dumre a winding road climbs about eight kilometres up to Bandipur, covered by local jeeps and buses or by private car in roughly twenty to thirty minutes.
How far is Bandipur from Kathmandu and Pokhara?+
From Kathmandu it is about five to six hours by road; from Pokhara it is shorter, around two and a half to three hours. Both routes run along the Prithvi Highway to Dumre before the climb to town.
Can you take a tourist bus to Bandipur?+
Tourist buses between Kathmandu and Pokhara pass Dumre and can drop you there, from where you take a local jeep or bus up. Some operators arrange through-tickets, but check, as not all buses go up to Bandipur itself.
Is it better to take a bus or private car to Bandipur?+
A private car is most convenient — door to door with stops as you like — while buses are cheaper but need a change at Dumre. For families, groups or limited time, a car is usually worth the extra cost.
