Targeting the upcoming Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath festivals, tourist buses have opened advance ticket bookings for passengers traveling to major tourist destinations. The initiative was launched by the Tourist Bus Association of Nepal (TBAN) to ensure safe and reliable travel for both domestic and international tourists.
TBAN President Bhisma Nyaupane stated that advance booking has been made available for popular routes such as Kathmandu–Pokhara and Kathmandu–Sauraha. Tickets can be purchased online via platforms like Khalti and eSewa. Currently, more than 200 buses operate daily from Kathmandu’s Sorhakhutte road to various tourist destinations across Nepal.
Meanwhile, air travel demand is also surging ahead of Dashain. According to Sudarshan Bartoula, spokesperson for Yeti Airlines, over 70% of domestic flight tickets for the festival period have already been sold, with many passengers holding tickets in advance.
In contrast, regular transport operators have decided not to open advance bookings for Dashain this year. Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs National Federation President Vijay Bahadur Swar explained that, due to disruptions caused by the GenZ protests and early closures of schools and colleges, most passengers have already traveled home. He added that the existing system allowing passengers to buy tickets five days in advance of their journey is still in place.
To support smooth travel during the festive season, the government has set up passenger assistance centers at 15 locations across the Kathmandu Valley. The facilities were inaugurated on Thursday by AIG Dan Bahadur Karki, chief of Kathmandu Valley Police Office.
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