Getting around · Sauraha
How to Get to Sauraha
Reaching Sauraha from Kathmandu or Pokhara — tourist bus, private car or a flight to Bharatpur.
Getting to Sauraha is straightforward: it is about a 5–6 hour drive from either Kathmandu or Pokhara, or a quick 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to Bharatpur followed by a short transfer. The village sits a few kilometres off the main east–west highway near Narayanghat, so almost every route ends with a final hop from Tadi Bazaar into Sauraha. Here is how each option works and how to choose. For the wider context, see our national getting around Nepal guide and the detailed Kathmandu to Chitwan route page.
By road from Kathmandu
The classic approach follows the Prithvi Highway west to Mugling, then the Mugling–Narayanghat road south, ending at Tadi Bazaar where a short ride finishes the trip. Tourist buses are the cheapest, leaving Kathmandu's tourist hubs in the morning; private cars or jeeps are faster, more comfortable and let you stop along the way. Allow 5–6 hours plus traffic.
By road from Pokhara
From Pokhara the drive is a similar 5–6 hours, heading east to Mugling and then south via Narayanghat to Tadi Bazaar. This makes Chitwan an easy add-on to a Pokhara trip — see our pokhara to chitwan route notes. As with Kathmandu, tourist buses and private vehicles both serve the route.
By air
The fastest option is to fly Kathmandu to Bharatpur (about 25 minutes), then drive roughly 30 minutes into Sauraha. This saves several hours and the highway traffic, ideal for short trips. There are no scheduled flights between Pokhara and Bharatpur, so from Pokhara you travel by road.
The last stretch and tips
- Most tourist buses terminate at Tadi Bazaar; a short jeep or taxi covers the final few kilometres into Sauraha.
- Ask your accommodation about a pick-up — many lodges meet the bus or the airport (see where to stay in Sauraha).
- Book ahead in peak season and around major Nepali holidays, when buses and flights fill up.
- Aim to arrive by mid-afternoon so you can settle in and catch the sunset before your first safari.
Once you have arrived, dive into the top things to do in Sauraha, check the best time to visit Sauraha, and plan everything from the Sauraha travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Sauraha from Kathmandu?+
By road it is about a 5–6 hour drive on the Prithvi and Mugling highways via Narayanghat, by tourist bus or private car, ending with a short hop from Tadi Bazaar into Sauraha. Alternatively, fly Kathmandu to Bharatpur in about 25 minutes, then drive roughly 30 minutes to the village.
How do you get to Sauraha from Pokhara?+
It is a similar 5–6 hour drive from Pokhara via Mugling and Narayanghat, by tourist bus or private car. There are no direct scheduled flights between Pokhara and Bharatpur, so most travellers go by road and continue from Pokhara overland.
Where do the tourist buses to Sauraha actually stop?+
Most tourist buses terminate at Tadi Bazaar on the main highway, a few kilometres from Sauraha. From there a short jeep, taxi or local ride covers the last stretch into the village, and many lodges arrange this final pick-up for you.
Is it worth flying to Chitwan instead of driving?+
Flying Kathmandu to Bharatpur saves several hours and avoids highway traffic, which suits short trips or anyone short on time. The road journey is cheaper, more flexible and lets you combine Chitwan with stops like Pokhara or Bandipur along the way.
