Getting around · Nepalgunj
Nepalgunj as the Gateway to Bardia
How to use Nepalgunj as the springboard for a Bardia safari and the wider Karnali far-west.
Nepalgunj is the gateway to Bardia National Park — the city's busy airport and the highway running east are how almost every safari traveller reaches the park. Fly into Nepalgunj from Kathmandu, transfer roughly 90 km east to Bardia, and you have swapped a hot border city for one of Asia's best wild-tiger jungles in a few hours.
The short answer
Fly to Nepalgunj (about an hour from Kathmandu), then continue by jeep, bus or lodge transfer to the Thakurdwara gateway of Bardia National Park, roughly two to three hours east. Many travellers do the whole journey in a single day, arriving in the jungle in time for an evening at their lodge. For full arrival details, see how to get to Nepalgunj.
Why everyone routes through Nepalgunj
Bardia has no airport of its own, so Nepalgunj's airport does the heavy lifting as the nearest air hub. It is also the point where the highway and the region's transport network converge, making it the natural staging post. Whether you want a jungle safari at Bardia, to go tiger tracking or to spot dolphins on the Karnali River, the trip almost always begins here.
Making the connection
- Same-day transfer: Coordinate your Kathmandu–Nepalgunj flight with your onward Bardia transfer so you arrive at the park before dark.
- Lodge pickups: Many Bardia lodges arrange airport pickups for guests — confirm when booking.
- Overnight option: If your flight is late or delayed by winter fog, spend a night in the city; see where to stay in Nepalgunj.
- Season: Match your trip to the cool, dry months — see the best time to visit Nepalgunj, which aligns with prime safari season.
Beyond Bardia: the far-west and Karnali
Nepalgunj is far more than the Bardia gateway — it is the aviation and road hub for the entire far-west and the Karnali corridor. Onward flights connect to remote mountain airstrips in the far-western districts, and roads fan out into a vast, little-visited region. For the wider picture of Nepal's protected wildernesses, see the guide to the national parks of Nepal.
Good to know
- Book transfers ahead in peak season, when jeeps and lodge transport fill up.
- Build in buffer time for winter morning fog that can delay flights into Nepalgunj.
- Use the city briefly: See Bageshwori Temple and the bazaars if you have a few spare hours before heading on.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nepalgunj the gateway to Bardia National Park?+
Yes. Nepalgunj is the main gateway to Bardia National Park, with the nearest busy airport and the road that leads east to the park. Almost everyone flying in for a Bardia safari arrives via Nepalgunj before transferring on.
How far is Bardia from Nepalgunj?+
Bardia National Park's main gateway at Thakurdwara lies roughly 90 kilometres east of Nepalgunj, about a two to three hour drive along the highway and then a side road into the park area.
How do you get from Nepalgunj to Bardia?+
Most travellers fly into Nepalgunj and continue to Bardia by jeep, bus or a pre-arranged lodge transfer, typically the same day. Buses run along the highway, and lodges often arrange pickups from the airport for guests.
Can you use Nepalgunj for the far-west and Karnali too?+
Yes. Beyond Bardia, Nepalgunj is the aviation and road hub for the entire far-west, with onward flights to remote Karnali airstrips and road links into the far-western districts, making it the springboard for the whole region.
