Kathmandu, the bustling capital of Nepal, presents a unique blend of traditional and modern transportation methods. In 2024, the city sees a significant reliance on bicycles and buses, with efforts to manage traffic congestion and emissions.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 2.77 minutes waiting, 2.71 minutes driving, and 5.86 minutes walking over a distance of 7.78 km.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend 7.57 minutes waiting and 27.57 minutes on the bus, covering a distance of 5.93 km.
  • Car - Car users experience a 47.5-minute drive with no waiting time, covering 16 km.
  • Walking - Walking commutes take 17.5 minutes, with additional time spent waiting and using other modes.
Traffic Breakdown
Bicycle
43%
Bus
20%
Walking
17%
Motorcycle
11%
Car
6%
Home
3%
Seasonal Trends

Monsoon season often exacerbates traffic congestion due to poor road conditions. Winter months see a slight decrease in bicycle usage due to colder temperatures.

Commuter Pain Points

Frequent traffic jams and long waiting times for buses are common issues. Limited infrastructure for non-motorized transport affects efficiency and safety.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings and late evenings are generally the best times to avoid heavy traffic. Midday travel can also be less congested compared to peak hours.

Event Impacts

Festivals and public events can lead to significant traffic disruptions in Kathmandu. Planning travel around these events can help avoid delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Kathmandu is investing in green transportation initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. Efforts include expanding bicycle lanes and improving public transport systems.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering flexible travel options. These services help reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, easing congestion.

Traffic Rankings

Kathmandu ranks 1st on the Traffic rankings in Nepal. The Traffic Index for Nepal combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Nepal, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 36 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
4.8 miles
Walking
5.9 mins
Waiting
2.8 mins
Driving Car
2.7 mins
Bus / Trolley
6.5 mins
Bicycle
13.8 mins
Motorcycle
1.4 mins
Other
2.2 mins
Total:
35.3 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
3.7 miles
Walking
11.4 mins
Waiting
7.6 mins
Bus / Trolley
27.6 mins
Other
0.4 mins
Total:
47.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
9.9 miles
Walking
7.5 mins
Driving Car
47.5 mins
Total:
55.0 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
2.3 miles
Walking
17.5 mins
Waiting
7.3 mins
Bus / Trolley
5.8 mins
Bicycle
0.8 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Other
2.5 mins
Total:
34.0 mins
Kathmandu Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Promoting bicycle use can further reduce traffic congestion and emissions.

Improving public transportation infrastructure, particularly for buses, could enhance commuter experience.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Kathmandu's CO2 emissions index is notably high at 1255.71, indicating significant environmental impact.

Efforts to reduce emissions are crucial as the city continues to grow.

Time

The average time index of 35.29 suggests moderate delays in daily commutes.

Traffic congestion contributes to extended travel times, especially during peak hours.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index stands at 107.72, highlighting areas for improvement in traffic management.

Reducing inefficiencies could enhance overall commuter satisfaction and reduce delays.