--- title: "Nepal Travel from India: Documents, Flights, Road Borders,…" description: "Travel guide from India to Nepal: Document requirements (Passport vs Voter ID), direct flights, train routes to Gorakhpur/Raxaul, and road border crossings." canonical: "https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/nepal/nepal-from-india" last-updated: "2026-08-21T00:00:00+05:45" image: "https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/_next/static/images/annapurna-base-camp-hero-1280.webp" --- India route planner # Nepal Travel from India: Documents, Flights, Road Borders, Trains & Costs Indian citizens enter Nepal visa-free under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. When flying to Nepal, Indian citizens MUST present an Original Indian Passport OR an Original Election Commission Voter ID Card; Aadhar and PAN cards are strictly rejected by airlines. When traveling overland, border crossings at Sunauli, Raxaul, and Kakarbhitta operate daily. Last verified: 21 Aug 2026 **No visa**Indian citizens **Passport / voter ID**Core documents **5 crossings**Common route choices **Buffer**Borders and roads On this page + [← All Nepal guides](/nepal/guides) 5 min read • Editorially reviewed • Checked 21 Aug 2026 DB **Written by [Dinesh Bhusal](/author-dinesh-bhusal)** Route-aware planning notes for Nepal Travel Guide. [Editorial methodology](/editorial-policy) · [Corrections policy](/corrections-policy) **Rule-sensitive page**Use the linked official source for the final document, fee or eligibility decision. Planning decision Indian citizens enter Nepal visa-free under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. When flying to Nepal, Indian citizens MUST present an Original Indian Passport OR an Original Election Commission Voter ID Card; Aadhar and PAN cards are strictly rejected by airlines. When traveling overland, border crossings at Sunauli, Raxaul, and Kakarbhitta operate daily. ## Documents for Indian citizens Swipe to view table → | Traveller | Carry | Important clarification | | --- | --- | --- | | Adults | Valid Indian passport or Election Commission voter ID | Use the document that the airline or border authority confirms for your exact journey | | Children | Valid passport or eligible school identity document where accepted | Confirm the child-specific requirement before air travel | | Other IDs | Do not rely on Aadhaar alone | Nepal Tourism Board states Aadhaar is not an acceptable travel document | | Emergency return | Emergency or identity certificate where applicable | The NTB note describes this for a single journey back to India | **Planning note** This is a high-change entry topic. Check the Nepal Tourism Board and relevant airline or land-border authority immediately before travel. ## Air, road and rail combinations - Fly to Kathmandu when time matters; keep baggage, airport check-in and any onward domestic flight on separate risk buffers. - Use Sunauli–Bhairahawa for Lumbini, Pokhara and western Nepal, or for a bus route from Uttar Pradesh. - Use Raxaul–Birgunj for road and rail approaches toward Kathmandu; the border-to-Kathmandu road is a separate long leg. - Use Panitanki–Kakarbhitta for eastern Nepal and Darjeeling/Sikkim-linked itineraries. - Jogbani–Biratnagar and Nepalgunj–Rupaidiha suit different regional starts; do not assume each crossing has identical hours or transport. ## Private cars, motorcycles and customs An Indian vehicle needs border and temporary-import formalities, insurance and payment of applicable customs or bhansar charges. Motorcyclists should carry ownership, registration, licence, insurance and any lender authorisation, then confirm the permitted duration and route with the border office. Do not enter with a vehicle based only on a travel forum checklist. ## Currency, SIM and local costs - Carry Indian notes that are legally accepted and practical for the current border and city context; keep Nepalese rupees for ordinary local spending. - Buy a Nepal SIM from an authorised outlet with the required identity document; keep your passport or accepted ID available. - Buses are cheaper but border queues and road time are variable. Private vehicles make regional travel easier but cost more and still cannot remove border formalities. - For a Kathmandu trek connection, budget a full arrival buffer after crossing a land border rather than promising same-day trail access. ## Border decision table Swipe to view table → | Crossing | Best for | Plan around | | --- | --- | --- | | Sunauli–Bhairahawa | Lumbini, Pokhara, western Nepal | Bhairahawa transfer and long road onward | | Raxaul–Birgunj | Rail-linked north India, Kathmandu | Border traffic and Terai-to-hills road | | Panitanki–Kakarbhitta | Eastern Nepal, Ilam, tea country | Long connections to Kathmandu | | Jogbani–Biratnagar | Koshi Province and eastern routes | Local transfer after immigration | | Rupaidiha–Nepalgunj | Mid-west Nepal, Bardia | Road or flight onward and opening hours | ## Mandatory documents for Indian citizens: Flying vs Overland A critical regulatory rule: If traveling by air between India and Nepal, Indian citizens MUST carry either: 1) An original valid Indian Passport; OR 2) An original physical Voter Identity Card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India. Airlines and airport immigration at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Kathmandu strictly reject Aadhar cards, PAN cards, driving licenses, and digital soft copies. Children under 18 who do not possess a passport or voter card can board flights with an official English birth certificate and school photo ID accompanied by parents with valid documents. When crossing overland through land borders, government photo IDs (including Aadhar card) are generally accepted by border police, though carrying an original passport or voter ID prevents border delays. - Air travel requirement: Original Indian Passport OR Original Election Commission Voter ID Card. - Aadhar / PAN cards: Strictly NOT accepted for boarding flights between India and Nepal. - Children under 18: Must present valid passport or original English government birth certificate. - Overland borders: Photo ID accepted for pedestrian border crossing at Sunauli, Birgunj, and Kakarbhitta. ## Transit corridors: Direct flights, Indian Railways, and border roads By Air: Direct non-stop flights connect Kathmandu (TIA) with New Delhi (Indira Gandhi T3, 1h 40m aboard Air India, IndiGo, Nepal Airlines), Mumbai (2h 45m), Kolkata (1h 30m), and Varanasi (50m). Delhi–Kathmandu is the busiest and most competitive corridor. By Train and Road: 1) Sunauli Border: Take Indian Railways to Gorakhpur Junction (Uttar Pradesh), take a 2.5-hour taxi to Sunauli/Belahiya border, and connect to Bhairahawa/Lumbini and Pokhara; 2) Raxaul Border: Take trains to Raxaul (Bihar), cross into Birgunj, and drive 5 hours to Kathmandu; 3) Panitanki/Kakarbhitta: Connects Siliguri/Bagdogra (West Bengal) to eastern Nepal. - Direct flights: Daily flights from Delhi (Air India, IndiGo, Nepal Airlines), Mumbai, and Kolkata. - Sunauli/Gorakhpur corridor: Nearest railhead for travelers heading to Lumbini, Pokhara, and Muktinath. - Raxaul/Birgunj corridor: Direct rail connection from Kolkata/Patna, driving 5 hours to Kathmandu. - Indian currency acceptance: INR 100 notes are accepted everywhere; INR 500 notes accepted in major tourist hubs. Useful answers ## Frequently asked questions Can Indians enter Nepal with Aadhaar?+ Nepal Tourism Board's current traveller information says Aadhaar is not an acceptable travel document. Carry a valid passport or eligible voter identity document and verify before departure. Do Indian citizens need a Nepal visa?+ No tourist visa is required for Indian citizens, but accepted identity documents and border procedures still apply. Can I take my Indian motorcycle to Nepal?+ Potentially, subject to customs, temporary-import, insurance, registration and border conditions. Confirm with the crossing before travel. ## Sources and verification Last verified: 21 Aug 2026. Fees, documents, permits, access, transport, weather and closures can change. Confirm time-sensitive details with the linked authority before departure. [**Nepal Tourism Board — tourist visa and Indian traveller documents** ↗](https://ntb.gov.np/en/plan-your-trip/before-you-come/tourist-visa) [**Department of Immigration — visa information** ↗](https://immigration.gov.np/visa-information) [**Nepal Tourism Board** ↗](https://ntb.gov.np/) Build the route around this place ## Useful next decisions [**Nepal travel status**Nepal travel status checklist: Live road conditions, domestic flight reliability, seasonal permit requirements, and immigration policies. **↗**](/nepal/nepal-travel-status)[**Jomsom**Understand Jomsom as the Lower Mustang gateway, with weather-sensitive flights, Kali Gandaki wind, road options, cash and onward routes. **↗**](/nepal/jomsom)[**Nepal trek cost from India**Budget and planning guide for Indian trekkers in Nepal: SAARC permit discounts, flight costs, daily teahouse budgets, porter rates, and UPI payments. **↗**](/nepal/nepal-trek-cost-from-india) Keep exploring Nepal ## Related guides [Annapurna logistics ### Annapurna road conditions Read the Annapurna road conditions guide →](/nepal/annapurna-circuit-road-conditions)[Seasonal planning ### Monsoon trekking Read the Monsoon trekking guide →](/nepal/monsoon-trekking-in-nepal)[Transport planning ### Kathmandu to Pokhara Read the Kathmandu to Pokhara guide →](/nepal/kathmandu-pokhara-transport)[Budget planning ### Nepal trek cost from India Read the Nepal trek cost from India guide →](/nepal/nepal-trek-cost-from-india) Next decision ## Keep the whole Nepal plan together. Use the Nepal directory to compare routes, months, destinations and practical rules without leaving the guide. [Open Nepal guide library →](/nepal/guides)[Nepal overview](/nepal) Current information ✓ Last checked: 21 Aug 2026 Rules, prices, access, transport, weather, availability and local procedures. [Official sources ↗](https://ntb.gov.np/en/plan-your-trip/before-you-come/tourist-visa)[What to recheck →](/data-methodology) Details and source context Status Planning information; confirm before booking or travel Applies to Nepal Travel Guide Last checked 21 Aug 2026 **Written by** [Dinesh Bhusal](https://www.nepaltibetbhutan.com/author-dinesh-bhusal) **Last updated** 21 Aug 2026 **Last fact-checked** 21 Aug 2026 **Sources checked** 3 Community Insights ## Route Experiences & Field Updates Recent field reports, route conditions, and practical observations shared by travellers and local leaders. 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