Getting in

Border crossings

There are five main road borders between India and Nepal. Compare them and pick the one that fits where you're coming from.

Raxaul–Birgunj

Raxaul, East Champaran, Bihar→Birgunj, Parsa District, Madhesh Province

The busiest Nepal–India land border crossing, connecting Bihar's Raxaul to Nepal's commercial hub of Birgunj. Used by millions of travelers and the majority of overland freight between the two countries.

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Sunauli–Bhairahawa

Sunauli, Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh→Bhairahawa (Siddharthanagar), Rupandehi District, Lumbini Province

The preferred crossing for pilgrims visiting Lumbini (22 km) and travelers heading to Pokhara. Direct bus services run from Gorakhpur through Sunauli into Nepal.

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Banbasa–Mahendranagar

Banbasa, Champawat, Uttarakhand→Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur District, Sudurpashchim Province

The westernmost major crossing, connecting Uttarakhand's Banbasa to Mahendranagar. Used primarily for access to Bardia National Park and the far-western Terai.

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Jogbani–Biratnagar

Jogbani, Araria, Bihar→Biratnagar, Morang District, Koshi Province

The main crossing for eastern Nepal, connecting Jogbani in Bihar to Biratnagar — Nepal's second largest city and an industrial hub with a domestic airport.

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Panitanki–Kakarbhitta

Panitanki, Darjeeling, West Bengal→Kakarbhitta, Jhapa District, Koshi Province

The main crossing for travelers arriving from Darjeeling, Sikkim, or West Bengal. Kakarbhitta is connected to all major Nepal cities by overnight bus and is the starting point for the eastern tea trail to Ilam.

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