...or vice versa... looking for tips/experiences on traveling this route

Dont buy an all the way through ticket . You will be ripped off . Seperate bus to Gorakpur walk across the border night bus to Katmandhu .
@koots4450.1911637
You'll find the the Kathmandu Seva, which is a service is provided by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, offers no such dilema.
The route goes via Azamgarh, Gorakhpur and Sunauli, and Bhairahawa. The fare from Varanasi to Kathmandu is 1,360 rupees. Tickets can be booked online at RedBus.in, the UPSRTC website, or at the bus stand in Varanasi.
@koots4450.1911637
You'll find the the Kathmandu Seva, which is a service is provided by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, offers no such dilema.
The route goes via Azamgarh, Gorakhpur and Sunauli, and Bhairahawa. The fare from Varanasi to Kathmandu is 1,360 rupees. Tickets can be booked online at RedBus.in, the UPSRTC website, or at the bus stand in Varanasi.