Getting Around Nepalgunj
Nepalgunj is a Sub-Metropolitan City on the Terai plains of Banke District, close to the southern border with India. It is a busy, spread-out trading town rather than a dense tourist centre, and most visitors pass through it either on their way to the far-western hills and mountains or as a stopover on the overland route between Nepal and northern India. The practical transport picture is simple: there is no metro or tram, no suburban rail network inside the city, and no ride-hailing culture to rely on. Getting around means buses, minibuses, taxis, rickshaws and your own two feet.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Nepalgunj has no metro, tram or city rail system, and there is no domestic passenger railway network serving the city itself. The only rail element in the area is on the Indian side of the border: an Indian Railways line reaches Rupaidiha, the border settlement across from Nepalgunj. Using it involves train changes at Gonda, Bahraich and Nanpara, so it is a slow, connecting journey rather than a direct service. For travellers coming from India, an alternative is to take an express train to Lucknow and then a direct bus to Rupaidiha.
Indian and Nepalese nationals may cross the border without restrictions, but there is a customs checkpoint for goods and for third-country nationals, so allow time for formalities if you are not an Indian or Nepali citizen.
Buses and Local Public Transport
Nepalgunj has bus and minibus services, and these are the mainstay of local movement. Once you are in town, you will find plenty of buses heading onward to other parts of Nepal, which makes the city a useful staging point for the surrounding region.
For longer journeys, Nepalgunj is well connected by road. From Kathmandu there are dozens of daily bus services, though only a few of them offer quality service; the ride takes roughly ten to twelve hours. There are also overnight bus journeys from Pokhara and Bhairahawa. If you are arriving from India, you can take a bus from Lucknow to Bahraich on the Nepalese border, then continue by bus to Nanpara and on to Rupadiya, the border market. That route is cheap but time-consuming, and hiring a private vehicle from Bahraich is a reasonable alternative. Local rickshaws are readily available to cross the border, which is small and friendly.
The country's longest highway, the Mahendra Highway, runs through Kohalpur, a short distance from Nepalgunj city centre, and the Nepalgunj–Kohalpur highway has been widened to four lanes and is considered one of the best roads in the country. That makes the run up to Kohalpur easy and quick by road.
One practical tip: it is best to journey during the day, even though the Nepali immigration office claims to be open around the clock.
Taxis, Rickshaws and Ride-Hailing
Instead, plan on the transport that is actually visible on the street: taxis, minibuses and the local rickshaws that are plentiful around the border crossing and in town. For short hops, a rickshaw is the natural choice; for longer trips, arrange a taxi or a private vehicle, particularly if you are heading out to nearby sites or crossing into India.
Walking
Nepalgunj is a low-rise Terai town, and walking is a realistic way to cover the immediate area around your hotel, the market streets and the central chowks. That said, it is a working city rather than a pedestrian resort, so expect traffic, dust and heat for much of the year. The climate matters here: temperatures sometimes exceed 40 °C from April to June, and the rainy season from June into September is less hot but sometimes very humid. Winter is usually pleasant while the sun is out, though it can turn foggy, overcast and chilly, with temperatures below 10 °C but no frost. If you are walking, do it in the cooler hours and carry water.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Nepalgunj Airport, officially named Mahendra Airport and commonly called Ranjha Airport, sits north of the city centre. It is the main air gateway to the region, with direct flights from Kathmandu taking roughly 45 to 55 minutes, and several flights a day. The airport also serves flights to airports in less-developed western districts such as Humla, Dolpa, Jumla, Mugu and Rukum, and it is the gateway for pilgrims heading to Mt Kailash in Tibet via the Simikot–Hilsa route in Humla district — a route that became the dominant Kailash pilgrimage path through Nepal after the 2015 earthquake.
A new, modern terminal building at Ranjha Airport was completed in November 2025, two months ahead of schedule, so arrivals now pass through newer facilities. The airport is close enough to the city that the transfer is short; taxis and local transport are the practical options for the run into town. Because there is no metro or rail link, plan on a road transfer and agree on the fare before you set off.
Practical Summary
- No metro, tram or city rail — the only rail nearby is the Indian Railways line to Rupaidiha across the border, reached via changes at Gonda, Bahraich and Nanpara.
- Buses and minibuses are the backbone of local and regional travel, with plentiful onward services to other parts of Nepal.
- From Kathmandu, expect dozens of daily buses and a ten-to-twelve-hour ride; overnight buses also run from Pokhara and Bhairahawa.
- Taxis and rickshaws cover short trips; don't assume a ride-hailing app will work.
- Walking is fine for the central area, but mind the heat from April to June and the humidity of the monsoon.
- Ranjha (Mahendra) Airport is a short road transfer from the centre, with frequent Kathmandu flights and a new terminal completed in November 2025.
- Travel by day where you can, and allow time at the border if you are a third-country national.