Delhi to Border Crossing at Banbasa

Dilliwala

I was going to write a few words on the above - instead I decided to do better and call my Nepali contact. There is something seriously out of whack between what Miso says and what I've just been told - altho my contact hasn't crossed over/back recently, he told me of people he knows who crossed both there-and-back by car about 2 months ago, and of other Nepalis who came in recently by public transport. So, I asked him to get in touch with all those people to confirm exactly what they know, including whether they read anything on signboards on either side. It really is no point speculating further at the moment. I shud have the info by tomorrow and will post it here.
Other than that I was going to say you really picked the worst possible train. 2 hours from now you cud have been on a once-a-week train that wud have gotten you to Bareilly at 8.10 tomorrow morning - totally ideal. Even now you can rebook and catch a train that gets you to Bareilly 85 minutes - you NEED them (these are both long-distance trains and cud well get delayed en-route, the earlier train is therefore a better idea)! The 2332 Himgiri Express is wide open in SL class on the 19th - you have a full reservation-day tomorrow and till 2 pm on Sunday if you're near a Rail Res. Centre.

It'll take about 2.5 hours to get from Bareilly to Banbasa.

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Wow, I can't believe what a pain this is -- I can't believe the unnamed but popular guidebook in question didn't mention this whole bit about a bridge and a river. Even by foot, how could you cross if the bridge is closed? I am so dreading this trip... I am suspecting though, like you said, there must be some way by foot outside the allotted times.... *sigh.*

It's not the bridge that's closed, it's the border crossing that's closed. What difference wud it have made if there was only a land-crossing? Gate-opening times are fixed, whether land or water lies in-between.
Btw, you're allowed to name guide books.

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-- again, any further info would be greatly appreciated.

Oh here's some good news for you, I checked this too - rikshas and tongas go direct from Banbasa (about 5 km from bridge) all the way to Mahendranagar (about 30 mins away on the other side), so that's one thing you won't have to worry about. Don't worry about finding one, they'll chase you at Banbasa!

Btw, time permitting - haven't you thought of crossing over and back instantly? Why not? AFAIK, the GOI only requires that you leave the country and re-enter, not how long you must leave for.

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Oh, also, does anyone have info on hotels in Khatima? I heard that is an option too

No idea about Khatima but there's quite a bit of accom available in Banbasa and Mahendranagar, in case you get stuck on either side. It'll be basic, mind - just pick the best (or least bad ) of the lot.

Dilliwala

Changphun, I found out some useful info ONLY for you (ok, and anybody else who needs it ) -
My contact called back during the day. He spoke to a couple (living in Mussoorie) who use the border-crossing in both directions very often, the last time being 2 months ago. The man is Nepali or Indian, his wife is a foreigner who requires a visa, so this info is valid for everyone. After quizzing my contact on various aspects for over 30 mins, here's what I've established:

1) The gates at the border-crossing are open for motor-vehicles, rikshas, tongas, etc. from 6 am to 9.30 am, and 12.30 pm to 5 pm. Between these periods and upto approx 9 pm, such vehicles can also cross by obtaining a permit for 400-500 rupees from the authority of the country of departure. However crossing on foot is possible in between and upto 9 pm free of charge.

2) Here's how the system works (it actually is a system, rather than just a crossing) - the bridge has gates at both ends, BOTH manned by Indian police and Customs. Each gate also has a small entrance on the side thru which people can pass, to be used when the main gates are closed.
Nepal police and Customs are at a place called Gaddachauki, a distance of 1.5-2 km from the bridge on the way to Mahendranagar. There's a gate at Gaddachauki as well.

3) You can get a coolie at the bridge to carry your luggage across, in fact many of them have bicycles onto which they strap your luggage (they go thru the small entrances).

4) Here's how the public transport system works -
when the gates are open, rikshas and tongas (warning: these try to fleece people, specially foreigners!) go from Banbasa all the way to Mahendranagar (and vice-versa), of course stopping for Immigration/Customs on both sides. It takes 2 hours or more becos of the formalities and heavy rush, specially in the morning.
When the gates are closed, you can get transport from Banbasa upto the bridge, cross it on foot and get a riksha from the other end upto the Gaddachauki gate. Clear Nepal Immigration/Customs and you'll get another riksha from the other side of the gate to take you to Mahendranagar.
The reverse of the above is true for going from Mahendranagar to Banbasa.

I may add that there certainly is no restriction on Indians/Nepalis crossing over and back a number of times a day. Can't think of a reason for any restriction for foreigners, so long as their paperwork is in order.

Miso

Thanks Dilliwalla for the updated version. I have to go again in a couple of weeks. Will try the pedestrian gate if I arrive outside of free hours.
I didn't check this site for a while so missed out on the Bareilly hotels question from Changphun. Bareilly has lots of hotels close to the station - both cheap and expensive. As you leave the station veer left across the road and you come to a street packed with hotels.
One more detail in case anyone else need it....there are lots of shared vans and tempos from the Nepali chowki to Mahendranagar and much cheaper than rickshaws. The best hotel in Mahendranagar by far is Opera.
Miso

Miso

hello everyone,
Well I just crossed over and back at Banbasa and can now post the latest up to date correct info.
The timings for the gate across the bridge are as I said before: ie 6 - 7 am, then 12 - 2 pm and then 5 - 6 pm (6 - 7pm in summer) The pedestrian gate is open all day for anything that will fit through, including cycles, scooters etc.
Now,if you are a foreigner you can cross through the gate in a vehicle at ANY TIME DURING THE DAY. This is a fact that the rickshaw wallas don't wan't you to find out because that way they can pretend to get that gate open for you by paying a bribe and justify charging a high rate. The Indian immigration officer assured me that outside of gate times a foreigner in a rickshaw, car, or whatever, can request the gate to be opened free of charge.
I hope this clears up any confusion on the subject.
Miso

Changphun

Hi, I just wanted to check in to thank both Dilliwalla and Miso -- I have not done email in a long time, and didn't want my lack of response to be interpreted as ingratitude. Dilliwalla, it looks like you went to a lot of trouble to give me good info -- I couldn't get to it before I left, but I'm incredibly grateful nonetheless. And thanks also to Miso for the updated info on both hotels and the crossing itself. Hopefully the info you both posted will be useful to people in the future. Many thanks again -- take care,
changphun

patxil

Hi guys,

First thanks so much for your posts, I couldn't find reliable information of this border crossing anywhere else than here. We're crossing the border next week to extend our Indian multiple entry visa. The way to get there and the border opening times are clearly explained in previous posts, we have one question though. Is it absolutely necessary to get a Nepali customs stamp in our passport (and having to pay the 25 USD just for some hours stay) or is it possible to get just the Indian exit stamp have a chai there and then enter again?

Anybody have tried that? is there any implication on doing that? as far as I understand an Indian exit stamp and a Indian entry stamp is all we need to not overstay the 6 month limits. Let us know your thougths, we don't feel like paying the 25 USD Nepali visa for an hour stay.

Thanks and keep up the good work

P

freenote

we crossed that border about a week ago and met a guy trying the same thing ,not entering nepal and trying to return to india .The imigration guys were not happy and insisted that he had a nepalise visa .we dident see the outcome but did see him returning to the indian side with a big smile on his face .

The Nepalise immigration guys were very helpfull so maybe they sorted something ,good luck

__________________
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Mrki

Hello,

Does anyone, by any chance, have an experience on crossing the border to Nepal at Banbassa in the time of monsoon. Any info will be appreciated, since I still have time to change my plan and go via Sunauli if necessary.

Thanks,
Mrki

heyjudy

hi can someone give me some infos about the border crosssing at banbassa if i come from the indian side: is there a possibility to do a visa in the border? is there a tax fee? do i have to take a taxi to cross the border? I aslso need to know if maybe somebody remember if the passport check is computerize or old fashion handly checked?did someone had problem with old passport/non biometrics passport because it sure happened to me at sunauli and i had to go back all the way to delhi!
thanks to all!
I love this blog

freenote

Banbassa crossing.
1/Nepali tourist visa is available at the border ,cost if i remember right was 30 US dollars for a 30 day tourist visa ,different length of stay you want ,different cost .A hard currency is required ,and i found US$ were the best .
2/no taxies .We took a car to Banbassa ,then bicycle rickshaw to the border ,about 3 Kilometers . This will get you to the bridge and then it is walk across to the Indian immigration checkpoint ,and then walk to the Nepali side .
3/ The passports were hand checked.

we traveled across there about two months ago ,and found immigration staff at both sides very helpfull . The only problem was the amount of walking and keeping an eye open for the immigration shacks ,All in all a good crossing point

heyjudy

thanks!these are great infos.is it true that the border is closed in moonsoon time?
also at the passport check do you know if they make any problems with the l.p( i heard that in several countries they confiscated the lonely planet at the border for political reasons!)and do they scan your passport or other I.D because i heard that sometimes it may be use for duplicatement while tourist think it's just a regular check.again these are all stories that i've read in several blogs so it may just be trash...hopeffuly!

freenote

I don't think the border is closed at monsoon time as it is used all the time by locals who can just walk across and back with no formalities .The problem as i understand it is that the roads and bridges tend to get washed out which might lead to delays . As for confiscating guide books ,never heard of it and as for Copying travel documents ,the same . I found both sides very helpful ,the Nepalis guys are well worth talking to ,they don't see a lot of westerners so try to help .We told them where we where staying that night and our proposed rout and all was arranged for us ,Very friendly ..

dipen2003

Hi Dilliwala, am from Gurgaon.As i can see that you have some some experiencing crossing to Nepal through Banbasa, I am planning to Cross border through Banbasa instead of Gorakhpur in my uncle's car as mine is bit old for long drives.My plan is to go to Banbasa , Mahendranagar, Butwal, Pokhara, Kathmandu, and exit from Kakarvitta Border to Siliguri , Darjelling ,Sikkim and back to Gurgaon abut 3500kms in total..I am planning for this trip between 15th-30th of Dec.I would like to know how much do i need to pay for the permit per day for the car to Nepal.Would it be a problem if i have a valid driving license of mine but my car papers are goona be on my uncle's name original though.Is it a right time for traveling to Nepal politically?.
I welcome everyone's suggestions regarding my trip.Hoping for a prompt response asap.
Dipin