How to Get to Pokhara from Chitwan / Sauraha

Chitwan and Pokhara are the two most popular stops on Nepal’s classic lowland-to-mountain circuit, and moving between them is easy once you know your options. Whether you are wrapping up a jungle safari in Sauraha or heading down to it, here is how to travel between Chitwan and Pokhara comfortably.

Distance and drive time

Sauraha, the main tourist gateway to Chitwan National Park, sits about 150 km from Pokhara. By private car allow roughly 5–6 hours, climbing from the warm, flat Terai back up into the hills. The route runs north from Sauraha to the Prithvi Highway near Mugling, then west along the river valleys to Pokhara.

Chitwan to Pokhara quick facts

• Distance: ~150 km (Sauraha to Pokhara)
• Private car: 5–6 hours, door to door
• Tourist bus: around 5–7 hours with set stops
• Terrain: flat lowland up into green hills — pack a light layer
• Vehicle options: car, SUV or Hiace van for families and groups
• Private car: from NPR — ask for a quote

Your travel options

Private car with driver

The most comfortable choice, and ideal if you are travelling as a family or with safari luggage. Sauraha’s lodges are spread out, so a car that collects you at your door beats hauling bags to a bus park. You can also break the drive with lunch and photo stops on your own schedule.

Tourist bus

Tourist buses connect Sauraha (via the nearby bus stand) with Pokhara daily, usually departing mid-morning. They are cheap and reliable, but you travel on a fixed timetable and change from a local jeep or rickshaw to reach the bus stand.

Link jungle and mountains without backtracking

Chitwan sits neatly between Pokhara, Kathmandu and Lumbini, so there is no need to double back. Many of our guests run a one-way loop — for example Pokhara, then Chitwan, then Lumbini or Kathmandu — and we plan the whole chain as a single private itinerary. If Chitwan is your next stop rather than your last, see our Pokhara to Chitwan guide for what to do in the park, and consider our Chitwan tour package.

Tips for the journey

• Leave in the morning: an early start means a relaxed daylight arrival in Pokhara.
• Cooler layer: Pokhara evenings are fresher than the Terai — keep a light jacket handy.
• Safari timing: most morning activities finish by late morning, so an afternoon departure works well.
• Onward plans: tell us where you are heading next and we will pick the route that saves the most time.

When is the best time to travel?

The most comfortable window for both Chitwan and Pokhara is October to March, when the Terai is cooler and drier and Pokhara enjoys its clearest mountain views. Chitwan safaris are most rewarding in these months as wildlife gathers near the rivers, while spring (March to May) is warmer but still good. During the monsoon (June to September) the lowlands are hot and humid and some park activities pause, so if your dates fall then, plan a morning departure to beat the heat on the road.

Arrive ready to explore

Arriving in Pokhara fresh means you can dive straight into the good stuff. Because the drive drops you into the city by afternoon, many guests use the same driver to line up the next morning’s Sarangkot sunrise or a full day of city sightseeing. Keeping one trusted driver for the whole trip saves you re-explaining your plans and keeps everything running smoothly.

Book This Trip with Pokhara Vehicles

We are a family-run car, jeep and taxi service based in Lakeside, Pokhara, driving guests safely around Nepal since 2008. Tell us your dates and group size and we will recommend the right vehicle and give you an honest, all-in quote — no surprises at the end of the day. Book your Chitwan–Pokhara transfer online, or message us any time on WhatsApp (or call +977 984-6737781) for a quick, no-obligation quote.