The small mountain town of Lukla is the gateway for hikes in the Everest region. While most people choose to fly there, a road towards the town is currently being build which makes it possible to reach Lukla by a combination of driving and hiking. When the road is finished, it will be possible the entire way to Lukla – and at some point all the way to Namche!
In this post, we introduce four possible ways to reach Lukla and cover the pros and cons of each option. You can choose depending on how much time you have, what means of transportation you prefer, and how much you wish to walk.
When Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary conquered Mount Everest in 1953, they walked from Jiri to Lukla by this trail. If you start in Jiri, you will pass through the green forests and rice fields of the lower part of the Himalayas. It is a beautiful transition towards the higher, snow-capped mountains, and if you want a peaceful trek, this trail sees much fewer people than any of the others explained here.
Getting to Jiri
You can take a direct bus from Kathmandu to Jiri. Busses leave early in the morning (the first bus leaves at 5am) from the bus station Jadibuti which can be reached by a 30 min taxi drive from Thamel.
The trip takes around 7-8 hours, including a short lunch break. The road towards Jiri is paved almost the whole way and is surpisingly pleasant, especially compared to other roads in Nepal.
Buying Bus Tickets to Jiri
You can typically buy your bus ticket at the station on the day of departure. However, we recommend you buying the ticket the day before to make sure they are not sold out. When you arrive at Jadibuti bus station, there will probably be plenty of people approaching you who will want to sell you tickets. You can either buy tickets from them or at the ticket office near the bridge above the road – either way, it is a good idea to be prepared for some bargaining!
If you wish to save time, you can typically ask the staff at your hotel to buy the ticket for you. You can also buy the ticket from one of the many trekking companies in Thamel. Note that you might end up paying more for the ticket if you go for one of these options.
Ticket Price
How much you will spend on the ticket honestly depends on your bargaining skills. We paid 1000 npr (7.5$) per ticket (October 2023), but we’ll be the first to admit that bargaining is not our strong suit. If you are up for it, you might be able to negotiate a lower price!
Reaching Jiri by Jeep
If you wish, you can also hire a private jeep to drive you to Jiri. Ask at your hotel or at one of the trekking companies in Kathmandu for the price.
Pros of Starting in Jiri
- The road is paved all the way, making for an enjoyable ride.
- You will follow the same track as the first ascenders of Mount Everest.
- The trek itself is beautiful and way less travelled than other hikes in Nepal.
- It is cheaper than flying.
- Your trip is not dependent on the weather (compared to flights which are often
cancelled due to bad weather).
Cons of Starting in Jiri
- This options requires a considerable amount of extra time and might be difficult to fit
into your plans if your time in Nepal is limited. - While road conditions are fine, you will still drive on narrow mountain roads with large
drops to the sides – if you have a fear of height, this might be a little scary.
Bus / Jeep + Hike from Salleri (4 Days)
If you wish to save time, you can grab a bus or jeep to the small town of Salleri only 3 days away from Lukla on foot. The trip takes 12-14 hours and follows a considerably less developed road compared to the one leading to Jiri. The road twists and turns through the mountains and has many unpaved sections that makes the trip a bumpy ride. However, this road saves you 4 days of hiking compared to starting in Jiri.
Buying Bus Tickets to Salleri
The daily bus to Salleri leaves from Chabahil bus station at 4.30am. From Thamel, you can reach the bus station by a 30 min taxi drive. Ticket prices vary depending on your negotiation skills, but we paid 1500 npr (11.5$) per person (October 2023).
Getting to Salleri by Shared or Private Jeep
It is fairly common to drive to Salleri in a shared jeep. These are most easily arranged through your hotel or a trekking company. The jeep drivers tend to fit however many they can, so you should expect a rather crowded ride. Ticket prices vary, but expect to pay around 4000 npr (30$) per ticket.
If you wish to hire a private jeep, you can typically hire one from your hotel or one of the trekking companies in Kathmandu. Consider teaming up with some fellow travellers to reduce the cost, as you will typically pay per vehicle.
Pros of Starting in Salleri
- The trek from Salleri is beautiful and quieter than the path after Lukla.
- It is a cheaper option than flying.
- Your trip is not dependent on the weather (compared to flights which are often
cancelled due to bad weather).
Cons of Starting in Salleri
- Road conditions are not great.
- Similar to the way to Jiri, this road has some steep drops on the sides that might be a
little nerve wrecking if you have a fear of heights. - This options requires extra time compared to flying.
Bus + Jeep + Hike from Bupsa/Thamdanda (2 Days)
From Salleri, jeeps now run daily to towns that are even closer to Lukla. You can either take the jeep to Khari Kola (5 hours), Bupsa (6 hours), or Thamdanda (7 hours) and hike to Lukla in 2-3 days depending on where you wish to start (Thamdanda is closest to Lukla).
Note that you will have to divide your journey into two days, as the jeeps only run in the early morning: On the first day, you will have to take the bus or a jeep to Salleri, and on the second day you will continue towards Khari Kola, Bupsa, or Thamdanda.
Buying Jeep Tickets in Salleri
The jeep can easily be arranged once you reach Salleri, either from one of the many booths selling jeep tickets or from your hotel. The ticket price depends on how far you wish to go but expect to pay a similar price as the ticket to Salleri.
A word of warning: We heard from several people who have done this trip that the road from Salleri to Bupsa and Thamdanda is very bumpy, curvy, crowded, and all in all quite unpleasant. It might be good to mentally prepare yourself before embarking on this ride!
Flight to Lukla
Most people begin their trek in Lukla, which can only be reached by airplane or helicopter (at least for now). In high season (April/May and October/November), the planes to Lukla do not leave directly from Kathmandu. Instead, you will have to take the bus or a jeep to the airport in Ramecchap, which is a 5-6 hours drive from Kathmandu. The flight from Ramecchap to Lukla takes about 20 min.
Buying Flight Tickets in Lukla
You can buy plane tickets to Lukla online or through a trekking company in Kathmandu. They cost around 120-150$ one-way depending on the season.
Helicopter tickets can be bought through trekking companies in Kathmandu and are considerably more expensive than plane tickets.
Getting to Ramecchap
If you have booked your flight trough a trekking company, the easiest option is probably to arrange your transportation to Ramecchap through them.
Alternatively, you can take a bus to Ramecchap from the old bus station in Kathmandu (called “Old Buspark”), a 15 min walk from Thamel. Busses leave in the morning, and you can easily buy your ticket on the day of departure.
It is also possible to take a shared jeep from Chabahil bus station, but in this case, it is a good idea to buy your ticket at the bus station the day before or arrange it through your hotel.
Pros of Flying to Lukla
- Flying is by far the quickest way to get to Lukla and will save you multiple days of
trekking and riding on roads of questionable quality. - On a clear day, the flight is supposed to have stunning views.
- The flight is rather iconic and is by many considered a part of their trekking adventure.
Cons of Flying to Lukla
- Flying is the most expensive option, especially if you decide to go by helicopter.
- In high season, you will have to spend an extra day getting to Ramecchap by bus or
jeep.
Conclusion
You can reach Lukla by airplane, bus, jeep, or hiking. The cheapest option is to combine a bus to Salleri or Jiri and hike to Lukla from there. If you are short on time, the fastest way to get to Lukla is by flying. Either way, you are guaranteed amazing views, it being on foot or in the air.
Ready for your next hiking adventure in the Everest region in Nepal?
Check out our guides right here!
Three Passes Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek
Still have questions about the different options on getting to Lukla? Ask us in the comments below!