transport Delhi - Kathmandu

janwillem · Sep 15th, 2005, 13:32

hello,

I've changed my plan - I'll be treking in the Nepali instead of the indian himalaya comming october.
perhaps i'm postig another question about transport to kathamandu from delhi.
sorry I couldn't find the other threads about this topic.
please direct me if there are any.

my dilema is:

how to get to kathmandu from delhi?
plane or train+bus
ive just called the newzealand office of Jet airways, and they told me that i could not get into Nepal on a oneway flight - that i needed an onward ticket.
but i've got the feeling that she didn't know what she was talking about, case LP you don't need one, and i've read other forums saying it was OK on a one-way. But still I am reluctant to book it from Newzealand, not being sure.

and: i've got 4 months, so I'm not realy in a rush, and maybe the train-bus journey will be great.

has anybody here got any eperience with:
- flying to KTM? is it bookable in Delhi (easy)?
- the train-bus journey, and how's that? (comfort, reliable, $$, tc.)

any help will be welcome

thanks in advance

janwillem

wow, in 17 days i'm on a plane.......

OzThumper · Sep 15th, 2005, 13:35

From what I have read, there is no requisite for an onward flight booking when arriving in KTM.

OzThumper · Sep 15th, 2005, 13:45

If you haven't booked your tickets yet, why not go straight to Nepal, and then into India afterwards?

TREKorDIE · Sep 15th, 2005, 15:15

There are several flights from Delhi to Kathmandu operated buy Indian Airlines, Sahara, Cosmic Air etc. Frankly I dont have any first hand knowledge.

You can reach Kathmandu by Bus & Train............long hectic journey though.
From Delhi to Gorakhpur by train, then to Sanouli, the border town of Indian side, 130km by bus. Cross the border and reach Bhairahawa,the first Nepali town. From there, you can go to Kathmandu by bus, about 12 hours journey. Night Bus services are available, but it is better avoided (Maoist problem). you can make the journey by day buses.
You can also avail domestic flight from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu, one way fare is $79 in Yeti Airlines.

BWINDI · Sep 15th, 2005, 15:36

you can book a oneway flight !

TREKorDIE · Sep 15th, 2005, 16:23

just checked: cosmic Air DEL to KTM $120=tax

steven_ber · Sep 15th, 2005, 16:40

Delhi to Gorakhpur. by train.

Alchemy · Sep 15th, 2005, 17:02

One-way tickets are not a problem to obtain in India, and probably even available online.

Nepal may or may not officially require an onward booking, but this is certainly not enforced. If necessary, you can always explain that you intend to leave overland.

I would recommend flying, as the train/bus combination is a long, uncomfortable one, with lots of roadblocks in a Maoist-infested area. They may have declared a ceasefire, but this certainly doesn't mean that your journey will be easy/quick/comfortable. I'd rather spend a few days exploring the Kathmandu valley than sit on a bumpy bus. (I still have nightmares of an 11+ hour KTM-Besi Sahar bus ride...)

I used Indian Airlines, which are just fine, but several others also cover this route (Air Sahara seems to have resumed their flights). The only airline I would advise against using is Royal Nepal, as they seem to cancel at least 50% of their scheduled flights and leave you stuck at the airport for days.

Amadeus offers me the following direct flights:

Cosmic Air
F5 602 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India
Terminal 1 10:05
Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 11:50
Non-stop
100 1h30min Daily

Jet Airways
9W 4107 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India 11:30
Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 13:15
Non-stop
738 1h30min Daily

Indian Airlines
IC 813 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India
Terminal 1 12:00
Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 13:45
Non-stop
320 1h30min Daily

Sahara Airlines
S2 501 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India
Terminal 2 13:15
Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 14:55
Non-stop
738 1h25min Daily

Cosmic Air
F5 604 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India
Terminal 1 18:15
Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 20:00
Non-stop
100 1h30min Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Saturday

Royal Nepal Airlines
RA 218 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India
Terminal 2 19:25
Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 21:15
Non-stop
757 1h35min Daily

Cosmic Air
F5 604 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India
Terminal 1 20:30
Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 22:15
Non-stop
100 1h30min Tuesday
Thursday
Sunday

Cosmic also flies from Varanasi, and Indian Airlines from Kolkata.

janwillem · Sep 17th, 2005, 12:55

thanks a lot guys!

was thinking about the bus&train, but i'm on the plane idea again

see what i can find online, or maybe buy it in Delhi

cheers

janwillem

gailwu · Mar 19th, 2007, 08:36

Hello,

I found the promotion fare for flying from Delhi to Kathmandu with Cosmic Air is US$90. As I am no in India now. Could genius tell me how t get the ticket?

The flight to Kathmandu are all fully booked recently, I have to fly to Delhi an take the next flight to Kathmandu.

Thank you very much

Gail

Ariell · Mar 19th, 2007, 12:33

Hi Jan

Yes, you can definitely get from Delhi to Kathmandu on a one-way ticket. I did it this summer. (Sorry, not sure exactly what you mean by an 'onward' ticket. Do you mean a ticket to another destination after you arrive in KTM? I didn't have that, nor did alot of other people that I met there. So unless something's changed, I can't see that you'll have any problem. ) I think I flew on Royal Nepal Airlines.Yes, it was easy to arrange -- I think I just arranged it a couple days prior. As you can see, there are lots of flights to choose from.

As to the bus/train vs. flight question, well, it all depends on how much time you have, what you want to spend, how much of the country you want to see and what your priorities are.

I haven't done delhi-kathmandu, but I did do kathmandu to tibet via bus/jeep and it was absolutely positively spectacular. Sometimes half the fun of travelling is the journey itself, not the destination. Flying there would have meant missing out on so much of the scenery and the small towns. And yes, the trip was bumpy and hair-raising at times, but I wouldn't have passed up on it for the world. And yes, there were maoists en route, but we were only stopped once and had to pay I think about $5 or $10 each to pass. They were just regular guys. Nothing to be afraid of.

Anyway, dont' want to mislead you, as I haven't done delhi to kathmandu overland, so don't know what the scenery/terrain would be like. Perhaps someone who has can comment.

janwillem · Mar 19th, 2007, 16:10

hey there,

I've made it there, and back - no problems at all.
Thanks for all the advice here.

True, you can book verry easy in delhi.
in 1 of the hundreds (or more)booking agiencuies you'll find in yhe streets in Delhi.
But I found it wasn't that easy to find the tarifs as quoted on the net. Not that they where all more expensive, just different.
I didn't try to understand.

So just walk into a couple of booking offices, shop around and you'll be allright.

happy travels

janwillem

Ariell · Mar 19th, 2007, 22:09

When I first read your last posting I thought 'what do you mean you've already been there and back??? Weren't you just asking for advice on how to do this a couple days ago?'

And then I checked the dates and realized I was giving you advice for a question you had posted in 2005!! Ha ha. Sorry about that!

Well, I can't take full blame as it showed up in recent postings and I was just commenting on that without checking the dates. Anyway, glad you made it there and back safely!

janwillem · Mar 20th, 2007, 22:21

no worries,

good advise is always welcome

cheers,

janwillem

sirensongs · Mar 20th, 2007, 23:53

The plane from Delhi to KTM can be had for as little as $100.

The bus/train combo is long and laborious. Nepali bus rides are haggard - bad roads, buses with no shocks falling apart (literally, my seat came off the frame), bad weather and of course the frequent transport strike/road blockage for political reasons. Total cost of bus-train combo: about $40 not including food or water.

The "direct bus" from Delhi to KTM has very mixed reports. The "deluxe" bus my friend took was very overpriced and positively falling apart.

Sep 15th, 2005, 13:32	#1
janwillem Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the netherlands Posts: 10	transport Delhi - Kathmandu hello, I've changed my plan - I'll be treking in the Nepali instead of the indian himalaya comming october. perhaps i'm postig another question about transport to kathamandu from delhi. sorry I couldn't find the other threads about this topic. please direct me if there are any. my dilema is: how to get to kathmandu from delhi? plane or train+bus ive just called the newzealand office of Jet airways, and they told me that i could not get into Nepal on a oneway flight - that i needed an onward ticket. but i've got the feeling that she didn't know what she was talking about, case LP you don't need one, and i've read other forums saying it was OK on a one-way. But still I am reluctant to book it from Newzealand, not being sure. and: i've got 4 months, so I'm not realy in a rush, and maybe the train-bus journey will be great. has anybody here got any eperience with: - flying to KTM? is it bookable in Delhi (easy)? - the train-bus journey, and how's that? (comfort, reliable, $$, tc.) any help will be welcome thanks in advance janwillem wow, in 17 days i'm on a plane.......

Sep 15th, 2005, 13:35	#2
OzThumper Outta Control Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 74	From what I have read, there is no requisite for an onward flight booking when arriving in KTM. __________________ Dave ----------------------------------- I started with nothing and still have most of it left.

Sep 15th, 2005, 15:15	#4
TREKorDIE A Trekker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: INDIA Posts: 358	There are several flights from Delhi to Kathmandu operated buy Indian Airlines, Sahara, Cosmic Air etc. Frankly I dont have any first hand knowledge. You can reach Kathmandu by Bus & Train............long hectic journey though. From Delhi to Gorakhpur by train, then to Sanouli, the border town of Indian side, 130km by bus. Cross the border and reach Bhairahawa,the first Nepali town. From there, you can go to Kathmandu by bus, about 12 hours journey. Night Bus services are available, but it is better avoided (Maoist problem). you can make the journey by day buses. You can also avail domestic flight from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu, one way fare is $79 in Yeti Airlines. __________________ TREKorDIE: " BECAUSE IT IS THERE ! ! ! " Last edited by TREKorDIE : Sep 15th, 2005 at 19:59.

Sep 15th, 2005, 15:36	#5
BWINDI Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 13	you can book a oneway flight ! __________________ Follow your DREAMS !

Sep 15th, 2005, 16:40	#7
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,784	Delhi to Gorakhpur. by train. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information. RAC & Waitlists explained.

Sep 15th, 2005, 13:45	#3
OzThumper Outta Control Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 74	If you haven't booked your tickets yet, why not go straight to Nepal, and then into India afterwards?

Sep 15th, 2005, 16:23	#6
TREKorDIE A Trekker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: INDIA Posts: 358	just checked: cosmic Air DEL to KTM $120=tax

Sep 15th, 2005, 17:02	#8
Alchemy Fair and Lovely Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Europe Posts: 160	One-way tickets are not a problem to obtain in India, and probably even available online. Nepal may or may not officially require an onward booking, but this is certainly not enforced. If necessary, you can always explain that you intend to leave overland. I would recommend flying, as the train/bus combination is a long, uncomfortable one, with lots of roadblocks in a Maoist-infested area. They may have declared a ceasefire, but this certainly doesn't mean that your journey will be easy/quick/comfortable. I'd rather spend a few days exploring the Kathmandu valley than sit on a bumpy bus. (I still have nightmares of an 11+ hour KTM-Besi Sahar bus ride...) I used Indian Airlines, which are just fine, but several others also cover this route (Air Sahara seems to have resumed their flights). The only airline I would advise against using is Royal Nepal, as they seem to cancel at least 50% of their scheduled flights and leave you stuck at the airport for days. Amadeus offers me the following direct flights: Cosmic Air F5 602 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India Terminal 1 10:05 Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 11:50 Non-stop 100 1h30min Daily Jet Airways 9W 4107 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India 11:30 Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 13:15 Non-stop 738 1h30min Daily Indian Airlines IC 813 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India Terminal 1 12:00 Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 13:45 Non-stop 320 1h30min Daily Sahara Airlines S2 501 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India Terminal 2 13:15 Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 14:55 Non-stop 738 1h25min Daily Cosmic Air F5 604 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India Terminal 1 18:15 Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 20:00 Non-stop 100 1h30min Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday Royal Nepal Airlines RA 218 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India Terminal 2 19:25 Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 21:15 Non-stop 757 1h35min Daily Cosmic Air F5 604 Indira Gandhi Int'l (DEL), Delhi, India Terminal 1 20:30 Tribhuvan (KTM), Kathmandu, Nepal 22:15 Non-stop 100 1h30min Tuesday Thursday Sunday Cosmic also flies from Varanasi, and Indian Airlines from Kolkata.

Sep 17th, 2005, 12:55	#9
janwillem Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the netherlands Posts: 10	thanks a lot guys! was thinking about the bus&train, but i'm on the plane idea again see what i can find online, or maybe buy it in Delhi cheers janwillem

Mar 19th, 2007, 08:36	#10
gailwu Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Taiwan Posts: 3	Hello, I found the promotion fare for flying from Delhi to Kathmandu with Cosmic Air is US$90. As I am no in India now. Could genius tell me how t get the ticket? The flight to Kathmandu are all fully booked recently, I have to fly to Delhi an take the next flight to Kathmandu. Thank you very much Gail

Mar 19th, 2007, 12:33	#11
Ariell Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, ON Posts: 74	Hi Jan Yes, you can definitely get from Delhi to Kathmandu on a one-way ticket. I did it this summer. (Sorry, not sure exactly what you mean by an 'onward' ticket. Do you mean a ticket to another destination after you arrive in KTM? I didn't have that, nor did alot of other people that I met there. So unless something's changed, I can't see that you'll have any problem. ) I think I flew on Royal Nepal Airlines.Yes, it was easy to arrange -- I think I just arranged it a couple days prior. As you can see, there are lots of flights to choose from. As to the bus/train vs. flight question, well, it all depends on how much time you have, what you want to spend, how much of the country you want to see and what your priorities are. I haven't done delhi-kathmandu, but I did do kathmandu to tibet via bus/jeep and it was absolutely positively spectacular. Sometimes half the fun of travelling is the journey itself, not the destination. Flying there would have meant missing out on so much of the scenery and the small towns. And yes, the trip was bumpy and hair-raising at times, but I wouldn't have passed up on it for the world. And yes, there were maoists en route, but we were only stopped once and had to pay I think about $5 or $10 each to pass. They were just regular guys. Nothing to be afraid of. Anyway, dont' want to mislead you, as I haven't done delhi to kathmandu overland, so don't know what the scenery/terrain would be like. Perhaps someone who has can comment.

Mar 19th, 2007, 16:10	#12
janwillem Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the netherlands Posts: 10	hey there, I've made it there, and back - no problems at all. Thanks for all the advice here. True, you can book verry easy in delhi. in 1 of the hundreds (or more)booking agiencuies you'll find in yhe streets in Delhi. But I found it wasn't that easy to find the tarifs as quoted on the net. Not that they where all more expensive, just different. I didn't try to understand. So just walk into a couple of booking offices, shop around and you'll be allright. happy travels janwillem

Mar 19th, 2007, 22:09	#13
Ariell Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, ON Posts: 74	When I first read your last posting I thought 'what do you mean you've already been there and back??? Weren't you just asking for advice on how to do this a couple days ago?' And then I checked the dates and realized I was giving you advice for a question you had posted in 2005!! Ha ha. Sorry about that! Well, I can't take full blame as it showed up in recent postings and I was just commenting on that without checking the dates. Anyway, glad you made it there and back safely!

Mar 20th, 2007, 22:21	#14
janwillem Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the netherlands Posts: 10	no worries, good advise is always welcome cheers, janwillem

Mar 20th, 2007, 23:53	#15
sirensongs Eeny meeny mango Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: All India Permit (somewhere between Delhi & Dharamsala) Posts: 1,213	The plane from Delhi to KTM can be had for as little as $100. The bus/train combo is long and laborious. Nepali bus rides are haggard - bad roads, buses with no shocks falling apart (literally, my seat came off the frame), bad weather and of course the frequent transport strike/road blockage for political reasons. Total cost of bus-train combo: about $40 not including food or water. The "direct bus" from Delhi to KTM has very mixed reports. The "deluxe" bus my friend took was very overpriced and positively falling apart. __________________ *"Why do people go to India to find themselves? India is where you go to lose* yourself."** Feringhee: The India Diaries

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