Patan is only about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from Bhaktapur, and both ancient cities sit within the Kathmandu Valley. Because of traffic conditions, the journey may take longer than expected. Here's how to get between Bhaktapur and Patan.

By Private Transfer or Taxi

Duration: 30 to 60 minutes

Taxis are the easiest way to get from Bhaktapur to Patan. The most direct route travels along the Ring Road, past Madhyapur Thimi. It's easy to find a taxi in Bhaktapur, just make sure to negotiate a price before getting in as the driver is unlikely to use the meter. Although the distance between the two places is not that far, traffic conditions throughout the Kathmandu Valley can make this a much slower journey than you may expect. Saturdays are relatively free of traffic, as this is Nepal's day of rest.

By Bus

Duration: 1 hour

Local buses and microbuses travel between Bhaktapur and Patan, but they're a bit of a challenge to figure out if you don't speak or read any Nepali. However, the bus stand in Bhaktapur isn't as busy as those in central Kathmandu, so if you do want to catch a bus, it's not too hard to go to the stand and ask around for the right bus.

Buses are very cheap (carry change) but quite slow due to traffic and the stops they make. If you get on at Bhaktapur you may get a seat. In Patan, most buses stop at the Lagankhel Bus Park, which is about a 20-minute walk south of the Patan Durbar Square

Map

Map of How to Get from Bhaktapur to Patan
Map of How to Get from Bhaktapur to Patan