How to Get to Pokhara from the Sunauli / Belahiya India Border

The Sunauli–Belahiya crossing is the busiest land border between India and Nepal, and the main gateway for travellers coming from Gorakhpur and the wider Uttar Pradesh region. Once you are through, Pokhara is a scenic drive north. Here is a practical guide to crossing the border and reaching Pokhara smoothly.

Crossing the border

The border town is Sunauli on the Indian side and Belahiya on the Nepali side. You complete Indian exit formalities, walk across, and then stop at the Nepali immigration office to get your visa on arrival (bring a passport valid for at least six months, a passport photo and the fee — US dollars are widely accepted). The crossing is open to foreign travellers and is straightforward, but allow extra time at busy periods.

Sunauli border to Pokhara quick facts

Nearest Nepali city: Bhairahawa, about 4 km from the border
Distance to Pokhara: ~190–200 km via Butwal and Palpa
Private car: about 6–7 hours on the Siddhartha Highway
Bus: roughly 7–9 hours from Bhairahawa
Visa on arrival: available at the border for most nationalities
Private car pickup: from NPR — ask for a quote (we can meet you at the border or in Bhairahawa)

Getting from the border to Pokhara

Private car with driver

After a long journey from India and border formalities, having a driver already waiting is the easiest way to finish the trip. We can meet you at Belahiya or in Bhairahawa and drive you straight up the Siddhartha Highway through Butwal and the hill town of Palpa (Tansen) to Pokhara — with a lunch stop and no bus changes.

Bus

Buses to Pokhara leave from Bhairahawa’s bus park through the day and early evening. They are the cheapest option, but you will arrange local transport from the border to the bus park, and the winding road feels long on a packed bus.

Should you break the journey?

If you cross in the afternoon, consider an overnight in Bhairahawa or Butwal and drive up fresh the next morning — the mountain road is far more enjoyable in daylight. Many travellers also visit Lumbini, only a short drive from the border, before heading north; see our Lumbini & Bhairahawa to Pokhara guide and our Lumbini pilgrimage guide. For a wider view of the India routes, see Getting to Pokhara from India.

Tips for a smooth crossing

Carry small US-dollar notes for the visa fee, plus a passport photo.
Change some money into Nepalese Rupees near the border for the road.
Cross earlier in the day so you drive the mountain section in daylight.
Book your onward car in advance so a driver meets you rather than negotiating on arrival.

Should you stop in Lumbini on the way?

Because the birthplace of the Buddha sits just a short drive from the border, many travellers spend half a day or an overnight at Lumbini before climbing to Pokhara — it saves a long backtrack later. The sacred garden and the international monastic zone are most peaceful in the early morning. If you would rather push on, an overnight in Bhairahawa or Butwal still lets you tackle the winding mountain road fresh the next day.

Best time to cross

The Terai around the border is hot from April to June, so the cooler months of October to March make for a more comfortable crossing and drive — and clearer mountain views once you reach Pokhara. During the monsoon (June to September), allow buffer time, as heavy rain can occasionally slow the hill section of the Siddhartha Highway.

Tell us your crossing date and rough arrival time, and we will have a driver ready at the border or in Bhairahawa to bring you comfortably up to Pokhara.

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 border pickup to Pokhara online, or message us any time on WhatsApp (or call +977 984-6737781) for a quick, no-obligation quote.