Difference between revisions of "Biratnagar"

Revision as of 04:22, 24 June 2011

Biratnagar is a city in Morang district, eastern Nepal.

Understand

With a population of nearly 170,000, Biratnagar in the second largest city in Nepal, and it is located near the Terai on the south-eastern border with India.

Get in

A flight from Kathmandu (290km) takes 40-45 minutes if there isn't any air traffic, and single tickets cost about $125 ($108+$17 for tax) for foreigners and around 2330Rs for nationals on Domestic Airlines.

By bus it may take 10-12 hours of time for about NRs-500-800($8-13). There are two ways in travelling in bus one is in day and other in night. In comparision to day, night buses are safe to travel because at night there are no strikes. But there is maximum probability of accident in night. While travelling in bus we can wittness the beauty of various scenes that lacks in the aeroplanes. Its good to take food of your own because where the bus stops to feed the passangers are expensive and the food is either stale or it is not warm. Only the crew members of bus gets proper food.

Get around

Rickshaws are a good option within the city, or walking. Expect to pay about 2 rupees per minute, depending on how many people you are or if you have a lot of cargo. There are no official taxi service, but taxis are easily available at airport, near Mahendra chowk, and from major hotels.There are tampoo's(auto ricksaws) around the city that is cheap means of transport than all other transportation option. Bus isn't used that frequently for transportation.

See

Do

Buy

An ATM machine is available in the Siddhartha Bank on the main commercial avenue. There are now a number of ATMs in Biratnagar. Take Main street north from Traffic chowk (police station), there is one on right side, then five minutes further north you turn left and find another one.

For groceries your best choice is in the market between Mahendra and Traffic chowk, and for the best one turn south on Main street, pass the cybers and Namaste hotel and you will find a good grocery on the right.

Eat

• Unique Fast Food Restaurant on the main commercial avenue (not the one that comes from the airport) has a clean and funny interior, and decent food.

• Adarsh Jalpan Griha, (Near traffic chowk in the centre). Claims to be the oldest restaurant in Biratnagar and is a good option for eating

Drink

Sleep

• Hotel Xenial, Biratnagar, 15, ☎ 977 21 530250, 530251, 538380, 528381 (xenial@bcn.com.np), [1]. - Not the same quality as you will find in Kathmandu for the same price, but comfortable. Between $55 and 130 for foreigners, or 2000R - 4500R for nationals. Accepts Visa. Dial-up internet access available in the room for 180R for 30 minutes. Small swimming pool.

• Ratna hotel. Near the main market area, next to Mahendra Chowk. A reasonable good business hotel. Good food and ok, although run-down, bar. Wireless internet available. Rs 1500-3000.

• Eastern Star, (south of bus park, take right further down). Basically same standard as Ratna, but no internet and further from the market area, and thus a more quiet location. Rs 800, 1500(AC).

Get out