Asia > 🇳🇵 Nepal
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Nepal can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Nepal; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Nepal?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Nepal?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Nepal
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | KTM |
Nepal is a land of towering mountains, ancient cities, and some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. From Kathmandu’s medieval temples to Pokhara’s lakeside serenity and the Himalayan trekking routes beyond, it’s a country built for exploration. But the question remains — should you rent a car in Nepal?
🚗 Renting a Car — Rare and Not Recommended
In practice, self-drive car rental in Nepal is almost unheard of. Although you’ll find listings online, most agencies require you to hire a car with a driver, and this is by far the safest and most practical option.
Driving in Nepal can be challenging even for locals. Roads are often narrow, winding, and poorly maintained, especially outside the main cities. Heavy traffic, erratic driving habits, animals on the road, and unpredictable weather — particularly during monsoon season — make it difficult for visitors to drive safely or confidently.
So, while it’s technically possible to rent a car, you almost certainly shouldn’t. Hiring a driver–guide gives you comfort, local knowledge, and the freedom to relax and enjoy the scenery without stress.
🚌 Getting Around — Buses, Flights, and Tourist Shuttles
Nepal has an extensive network of long-distance buses and minibuses connecting Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Lumbini. While local buses are cheap, they can be crowded and slow. For greater comfort, travellers usually book “tourist buses” that run between the main destinations each morning.
For longer distances, domestic flights are common and often spectacular. The short hop from Kathmandu to Lukla, for example, is world-famous among trekkers heading for Everest Base Camp. Flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, and Biratnagar are also frequent and save many hours of mountain driving.
🏔️ Exploring the Mountains
If you’re heading into the Himalayas, the roads will only get rougher — and many trails are completely inaccessible by car. Treks such as the Annapurna Circuit, Everest Base Camp, and Langtang Valley all begin where the roads end. Reaching these trailheads is best done via jeep transfer, which can be booked through tour operators or local transport hubs.
For adventure travellers, hiring a jeep with driver is the most versatile way to explore remote areas like Mustang or Dolpo, where buses rarely reach and road conditions can change daily.
🚆 Rail and Cross-Border Options
Nepal has no domestic rail network for passengers. However, there are cross-border trains linking India with southern Nepal, notably between Jaynagar (India) and Janakpur (Nepal) — a useful link for those entering from Bihar. Future plans may extend this route northward, but for now, rail travel plays almost no role within Nepal itself.
🌄 The Scenic Routes
Despite the lack of rail, overland travel in Nepal is often breathtaking. The highway between Kathmandu and Pokhara offers sweeping views of river valleys and terraced hillsides. Similarly, the journey to Chitwan National Park winds through lush lowlands and rural villages. The key is patience — distances here are measured in time, not kilometres.
🧭 Summary
🚫 No — not for self-drive. Roads and conditions make it impractical and unsafe.
✅ Yes — but only with a local driver or as part of a private tour.
So, should you rent a car in Nepal?
Only if you include a driver. Nepal’s beauty is best enjoyed from the passenger seat, not the steering wheel. Let a local handle the bends and the traffic while you take in the views — from the Kathmandu Valley to the Himalayan foothills — without missing a thing.
