How To Reach Lukla

Lukla, Nepal: How to Reach by Train, Flight, and Road

Lukla is a town in the Khumbu area of the Solukhumbu District in the Sagarmatha Zone of northeastern Nepal. Most trekkers to Mount Everest start their journey from Lukla. The town is well-known for its airport, Tenzing-Hillary Airport, which is often cited as one of the most dangerous airports in the world due to its short runway and location surrounded by high mountains.

Reaching Lukla by Flight

The most common and quickest way to reach Lukla is by flight. There is no direct train or traditional road access to Lukla due to its mountainous terrain.

Nearest Airport: Tenzing-Hillary Airport (LUA), Lukla.

Flights to Lukla are available from Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. The flight duration is typically around 30 to 45 minutes. Due to the weather-dependent nature of flights in this region, it is advisable to allocate extra days in your itinerary in case of delays. Also, note that flights may not operate daily, and during peak trekking seasons, it's crucial to book these flights well in advance.

Reaching Lukla from India's Top 10 Cities

Since there are no direct international flights to Lukla, travelers must first arrive at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport and then take a domestic flight to Lukla.

1. Delhi: The distance from Delhi to Kathmandu is approximately 1,100 km.
   • Flight: Direct flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Kathmandu.
   • By road: Delhi to Kathmandu by bus or personal vehicle, approximately 25-30 hours.
2. Mumbai: Approximately 1,600 km from Kathmandu.
   • Flight: Direct flights available from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Kathmandu.
3. Kolkata: About 1,000 km from Kathmandu.
   • Flight: Direct flights available from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to Kathmandu.
   • By road: A common road trip involves traveling to Phulbari (India)/Kakarbhitta (Nepal) border and then to Kathmandu, totaling around 17-20 hours.
4. Bangalore: Roughly 2,200 km from Kathmandu.
   • Flight: Direct flights from Kempegowda International Airport to Kathmandu.
5. Chennai: Approximately 2,100 km from Kathmandu.
   • Flight: Direct flights from Chennai International Airport to Kathmandu.
6. Hyderabad: About 1,600 km from Kathmandu.
   • Flight: Direct flights from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to Kathmandu.
7. Ahmedabad: Around 1,600 km from Kathmandu.
   • Flight: Direct flights from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to Kathmandu.
8. Pune: Nearly 1,700 km from Kathmandu.
   • Flight: Flights with one stopover available from Pune Airport to Kathmandu.
9. Surat: Distance of about 1,650 km from Kathmandu.
   • Flight: Flights with one stopover from Surat International Airport to Kathmandu.
10. Jaipur: Roughly 1,200 km from Kathmandu.
    • Flight: Flights with one stopover from Jaipur International Airport to Kathmandu.
    • By road: Jaipur to Kathmandu by road, taking approximately 27 hours.

Once in Kathmandu, arrange for a flight to Lukla through a local airline or trekking agency. Considering the current state of infrastructure, it's not possible to reach Lukla by train or a direct road route from any of these cities.

Note: These routes and options can change; always check the latest travel advisories and flight schedules before planning your trip.