Getting to Janakpur

Janakpur sits in Nepal's southern Terai, close to the Indian border, so you can reach it quickly by air, slowly but scenically by road, or overland by train and the nearby border. Here is how each option works.

The short answer

The fastest way is to fly from Kathmandu to Janakpur Airport in about 25 minutes. By road, expect a long but scenic 7 to 9 hour drive. A cross-border railway links Janakpur with Jaynagar in India for those arriving from the south.

By air

Domestic flights connect Kathmandu to Janakpur Airport in roughly 25 minutes, making this by far the quickest option. Flights are usually daily, though they can be affected by weather and schedules change, so book ahead and reconfirm. From the airport it is a short taxi ride into the city centre.

By road

By bus or private car, Janakpur is around 7 to 9 hours from Kathmandu along the highways down to the Terai. Tourist and local buses serve the route, and a private car is the most comfortable choice, letting you stop along the way. The lowland approach through paddy fields is part of the experience.

By train and from India

Janakpur lies near the Indian border and is linked to Jaynagar in India by a cross-border railway, a rare train journey in Nepal. Nearby road crossings also make the city a natural stop for travellers moving between India and Nepal — and put the underground Shiva temple at Jaleshwar Mahadev, 18 km south near the border, within easy reach.

Which option to choose

If your time is limited, fly: a 25-minute hop from Kathmandu beats a full day on the road, and lets you give the city itself more attention. If you are on a budget, or want to see the changing landscape from hills to plains, the bus is the classic choice — just start early and be ready for a long haul. Travellers already in India or doing a Ramayana circuit often find the train or a border crossing the most natural approach. Many visitors combine modes, for instance flying in and continuing overland toward Lumbini or the Indian border afterwards.

Getting around once you arrive

Janakpur's main sights are close together, so you rarely need much more than your feet and a cycle-rickshaw, the cheap and characterful way to link the temples, ponds and shrines. For the Janakpur Women's Development Center in Kuwa or the Jaleshwar temple to the south, hire a taxi or use local shared transport. Agree fares before you set off, and keep small notes handy for short rickshaw hops.

Good to know

• Book ahead: Flights and hotels fill fast around Vivah Panchami and Chhath; reserve early.
• Documents: Carry identification if you plan to use the border or train, as you are near the frontier.
• Getting around town: Once you arrive, cycle-rickshaws and taxis cover the compact sights cheaply.

Next steps

With your arrival sorted, plan your days using our Janakpur itinerary and the full list of more things to do in Janakpur. If you are timing your trip around a celebration, read Chhath and Vivah Panchami in Janakpur and our main Janakpur travel guide.