Although Nepal is a relatively small country, mobility within our borders may be difficult if not accustomed to it. Even just the bumpy roads of Kathmandu valley can be a maze without the right tools. From simple transportation within the valley or flights to the plains of Terai or even a trip up to the mountains there is a way to get around everywhere. These methods of transport include traditional ride sharing apps, the common public buses and even, a little exotic, the rickshaw.
Having risen to public fame, the most commonly used ride sharing app within the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara and Chitwan is InDrive. InDrive is a convenient way to travel solo, with your family or even send a package. The reason for InDrive’s popularity is due to it having cheaper prices than Pathao and the ability to track your ride before it arrives or your packages after you have sent it off.
The app is very user friendly and easy to use. When you open the app immediately after you log in, you will be met with a button which says find a driver. Just above it you can choose the type of ride you are looking for including; bikes, cars, packages, comfort vehicles, trucks, and even city to city travel. Below it you can set the pick-up and drop location then pick your price and voila! You have a ride.
You can use Pathao as well which is pretty similar to InDrive. In Pathao however you can also order food. When you open the app, after logging in, you will find options for your ride including but not limited to; bikes, cars, food delivery and courier. You can then set a location to pick up and drop, and your ride or food will be there in no time. However you cannot input your own preferred prices on Pathao.
Another method of transport is public buses; crowded public buses. If you are in any way claustrophobic public buses are not recommended but they are a cheap and easy way to get around. Even the best maintained Sajha buses (green colored buses which are easily distinguishable from the rest) are filled to the brim on a normal day. These buses have set routes and set stops but it is difficult to figure out where the bus will stop next and even though there are some apps that claim to have maps of bus routes and prices they aren’t usually reliable. It might be a tad bit more difficult to use if you are unfamiliar with using public buses in Nepal. However, using public buses to travel outside the valley or any other particular tourist city is easy and usually the buses do not carry more passengers than there are seats. These buses that travel farther into other cities or districts have set bus stops. These bus stops are large empty areas near the edges of town like at Gongabu Naya Bus Stop in Kathmandu which houses buses that travel out of the valley. It is easier to ask your hotel management to purchase a bus ticket for you and guide you to the right bus stop as they will be more aware of the area and how to deal with the local chaos.
Although Rikshaws are not as common in big cities anymore, they can still be found around smaller towns and even the three Durbar Squares in Kathmandu Valley. Rickshaws are a more exclusive and authentic way to travel short distances and are not recommended for longer travel.
Getting around in Nepal may seem slightly hectic at first but asking anyone on the street is easy and they are sure to point you in the right direction.
Written by
Kritisha Amatya
