How to cross the Banbasa (India) – Mahendranagar (Nepal) border from Delhi

Since I have found fairly scanty and incorrect information online, I have then come up with this short article to provide some details about how to reach quickly, overland and on a budget the rarely trodden India – Nepal border at Banbasa – Mahendranagar from Delhi (India). In addition, I will offer some specifics about the border procedures themselves.

1) TAKE A BUS FROM DELHI’S ANAND VIHAR BUS TERMINAL

Although it might be maybe cheaper to catch first a train to Bareilly (from New Delhi train station) and subsequently a bus from there to Banbasa (direction Tanakpur), I discovered there is a direct bus leaving from Anand Vihar bus terminal (North-Eastern area, easily reachable by metro line) straight to Banbasa, the last Indian town before the border. Buses are running every hour until 9 pm. The cost in September 2018 can be checked on my travel log here. The bus takes 10 hours all together on a very bumpy road. Hard to sleep : )

It is recommendable to board it between 7 and 9 pm to arrive to Banbasa early in the morning, save one night of accommodation and find the border operational.

2) FROM BANBASA BUS STOP TO THE BORDER

The bus leaves you in Banbasa center before the crossroad leading to the border, about 6.5 Km away. You then have the choice either to walk the distance or flag down a tuk-tuk for approx. 100 Indian rupees. The tuk-tuk normally drops you before the first of the two bridges, which you may effortlessly walk on. There is also a tea stall on the left for a basic breakfast : )

3) BORDER PROCEDURES

You have to walk about 1 km on two bridges before spotting a small humble building on the right (right after the second long bridge) where Indian immigration is housed. The procedure is very fast and straightforward.

Afterwards, just follow the rural road (it does not look like an International border crossing indeed : ) for another 500 meters approx. to reach the Nepal immigration post. Again a basic sign and house. Also in this case you will hardly bump into people. For most nationalities Visa is on arrival at the border. You have to fill out two immigration papers (remember to carry a passport size picture). Then you have to decide your Visa length: 15, 30 or 90 days for respectively 30, 40 or 100 USD.  Remember you can always extend it later quite easily in Kathmandu. You will get a small sticker occupying half page of your passport.

At the Nepalese immigration post you may also exchange Indian rupees or US dollars into local currency. The rate is quite acceptable.

At both immigration posts bags were never checked.

4) FROM BORDER TO MAHENDRANAGAR (NEPAL)

Once you have finished with the border formalities, you may reach the first town in Nepal, Mahendranagar (Bhimdatta) by walking (7 km) or tuk-tuk, priced around 100 Nepalese rupees (less than 1 euro).

To sum up, reaching the far-flung India – Nepal border at Banbasa by bus from Delhi is definitely cheap and facile. The border procedures are rapid and hassle-free. The walk there is really relaxing and agreeable. Enjoy the roof of the world then !

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