How to Reach Pashupatinath: From Thamel, the Airport & Boudhanath

Where You Are Heading

The temple stands on the banks of the Bagmati River in the Gaushala / Deopatan area of eastern Kathmandu, only around 2–3 km from Tribhuvan International Airport. It is the spiritual heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it is well signed and easy for any driver to find. Most visitors fold a half-day here into a stay in Kathmandu.

By Taxi or Ride-Hailing App

This is by far the easiest way to reach Pashupatinath.

• Ride-hailing apps: Pathao and InDrive set the fare in advance, so there is no haggling; a ride from Thamel is inexpensive and takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.
• Street taxi: plentiful across the city — agree the fare before you get in, as meters are rarely used.
• Airport arrival: the temple is only 2–3 km from Tribhuvan Airport, close enough to slot into your arrival or departure day.

By Public Transport & From Boudhanath

Local buses and microbuses run to the Gaushala / Pashupati area from the city's main routes and are very cheap, but they are crowded and confusing for first-timers; for most visitors a taxi or app ride is worth the small extra cost.

From Boudhanath: Pashupatinath is just a short 2–3 km hop, so the two sacred sites are easily combined in one outing — many people see Pashupatinath in the late afternoon, stay for the evening aarti, then move on to Boudhanath.

Entry for Foreign Visitors

There is an entry fee for foreign (non-Nepali, non-Indian) visitors of around NPR 1,000 to access the temple complex; SAARC nationals typically pay a reduced rate, and Nepali and Indian devotees enter free. Tickets are bought at the gates in cash.

Remember that even with a ticket, non-Hindus cannot enter the inner sanctum. The fee covers the wider complex, the ghats and the eastern-bank viewpoints from which you look across to the golden temple roofs. For a full cost breakdown, see the cost & budget guide.