Understanding Patan
"Patan" is a name shared by several places in India and beyond, so the first practical step for any visitor is to confirm which Patan you are heading to. In India alone, the name refers to towns and districts in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, as well as an administrative block in Jharkhand. There is also a Pattan in Jammu and Kashmir, and a separate Patan (also known as Lalitpur) in Nepal. Because the name is reused so widely, transport advice for one Patan will not apply to another, and you should check your destination carefully before booking anything.
How Tourists Get Around
In the Patan that most travellers visit as a heritage destination, the historic core and its sites are best seen on foot. Taxis, minibuses and tuk tuks are widely available for longer hops or when you would rather not walk.
- On foot — the most rewarding way to cover the city and its monuments.
- Taxis — readily available for point-to-point trips.
- Minibuses — a shared option running through the city.
- Tuk tuks — widely available for short, flexible journeys.
Rail, Metro and Trams
The source material for this Patan does not describe any rail, metro or tram network serving the city. Visitors should therefore not expect to rely on trains or a metro to move around, and should plan their trips around walking, road-based transport and the bus and microbus connections described below.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Public transport into and around Patan is built around buses and microbuses, and it is inexpensive. A few practical points:
- Microbuses from Kathmandu — these run from Ratnapark. Fares are low, with a reduced rate for students and volunteers who hold a Nepalese ID card.
- Buses on the Ring Road — catch a blue or green bus on Kathmandu's Ring Road, which loops around the Kathmandu Valley. Tell the cashier or attendant that you want to go to Patan and they will let you know when to get off. From the Ring Road it is a short walk to Patan Durbar Square.
- Paying — fares are collected on board by the cashier or attendant; there is no mention of advance tickets or travel passes, so carry small change.
One honest caveat: these buses and microbuses are not well suited to travellers with limited mobility or to anyone who dislikes a rough ride. The people are very friendly, but the vehicles are old and the journeys can be bumpy.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are the more expensive option compared with buses and microbuses, but they are straightforward and widely available. Expect to pay a fare in the low hundreds of rupees for a taxi journey into Patan from Kathmandu. Tuk tuks and minibuses round out the road-based options once you are in the city. The source material does not mention ride-hailing apps, so treat taxis, tuk tuks and minibuses as the dependable choices.
Walkability
Patan is a walkable destination. The city and its sites are best seen on foot, and walking between Kathmandu and Patan is quite straightforward — roughly an hour and a half from Thamel, with plenty to see along the way. A couple of bridges provide access from Kathmandu to Patan, so a good city map is a real asset. One of these is the Bagmati Bridge, a two-lane crossing over the River Bagmati in the northeast part of Patan that connects the city with Kathmandu.
Getting from the Airport into the City
The source material does not describe airport transfers for this Patan. As a general approach, arrange your onward journey using the road-based options that serve the city — a taxi for a direct trip, or a bus or microbus if you prefer to keep costs down — and confirm the route with your driver or the vehicle attendant, since the bus network is the one place where staff will actively tell you when to get off.
Quick Practical Tips
- Confirm which Patan you are visiting before you travel — the name is used for many different places.
- Carry small change for bus and microbus fares.
- Tell the bus attendant your stop; they will alert you when you arrive.
- Bring a good city map if you plan to walk, especially between Kathmandu and Patan.
- If you have limited mobility or prefer a smooth ride, choose a taxi over the buses and microbuses.