The Terai & Mahabharat Range Getting there & around

Getting around

Buses and minibuses are the main form of transport around the Terai with the Maoist ceasefire, night services have resumed between Kathmandu and Pokhara and the main border crossings. However, road safety can be an issue, particularly for night travel.for more information.

Car & motorcycle

Car

To avoid the hassle of local bus services, you can hire a car and driver in Kathmandu. Most travel agencies can make arrangements and the going rate for a Toyota Corolla and driver is around Rs 4000 per day, including petrol. On top of this, you must also pay for road tolls and meals and accommodation for the driver.

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Bus & tram

Bus

Buses are the main form of transport around the Terai, but road safety is a big concern. Hundreds of Nepalis are killed every year in bus crashes and many expats and NGO workers prefer to fly rather than gamble on the buses. Night buses are by far the worst offenders. To maximise safety, travel in daylight hours and avoid the front seats.

Roof riding is prohibited in the Kathmandu Valley but there is no such proscription in the Terai. Riding on the luggage rack with the wind in your hair can be an exhilarating experience, but you also need to consider deadly hairpin turns and hanging power cables - all in all, it's best to stick to short local bus routes.

Buses in the Terai are divided into 'day' and 'night' services - day buses generally leave between 5am and noon, while more expensive night buses typically depart between 4pm and 6pm. There are separate ticket desks for day and night buses at many bus stations - you'll have to ask around to find the right desk.

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Train

A single narrow-gauge train line runs between Janakpur and the Indian border. Foreign tourists can't cross into India via this route but the train makes for a great excursion from Janakpur.for details.

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Bicycle

On the face of it, the Terai is perfectly suited for cycling - the terrain is pool-table flat, there are villages every few miles and traffic is relatively sparse. However, the condition of the roads leaves a lot to be desired - a sturdy mountain bike is strongly recommended. If you run out of steam along the way, you can usually put your bike on the roof of the bus.

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