Sunauli & the Nepal Border

Introducing Sunauli & the Nepal Border

Straddling the India–Nepal border, Sunauli is a dusty town that offers little more than a bus stop, a hotel, a few shops and a border post on the Indian side – most travellers make the border crossing as soon as possible. A few more facilities are available in the Nepali part of Sunauli, but Bhairawa, 4km away, is a more substantial settlement.

Buses drop you 200m from the Indian immigration office, so if your luggage is not too heavy you can ignore the crowd of cycle-rickshaw drivers.

Near the bus stand, Rahi Tourist Bungalow (238201; rahiniranjana@up-tourism.com; dm Rs 75, s/d from Rs 250/300, with AC Rs 500/600; ) is a UP Tourism concrete bunker but is the only recommended accommodation on the Indian side of Sunauli. There’s a restaurant and the rooms are comfortable enough.

The Nepali side of Sunauli has a few cheap hotels, outdoor restaurants and a more upbeat atmosphere, but most travellers prefer to stay in Bhairawa, or get straight on a bus to Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009