The historical city of Gujarat-tourism-and-travel-guide" class="destination_link" target="_blank">Patan is located in the south-central part of Nepal; also known as Lalitpur by the locals or by its native Newari name, Yala. It usually makes for a mandatory stopover for everyone visiting Kathmandu to pay a visit to Patan as well, and you will immediately notice the difference between the chaos of Kathmandu and the ancestral serenity of Patan.

Mornings in Patan start early and the city usually retires for the day after sun down. While it’s brimming with ancient arts and temples and structures waiting to be discovered, this little suburb requires mostly just a day or two to delve into its alleys and discover its secrets and stories. Listed below are some of the easiest ways to reach Patan.

The Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu is the closest airport to Gujarat-tourism-and-travel-guide" class="destination_link" target="_blank">Patan, located just 7 km away from Patan City Centre. It operates international flights from all over the world, and the domestic terminal connects it to every major city in Nepal. From India, a number of airlines like Jet Airways, Air India and IndiGo fly daily between Kathmandu and almost all major destinations in the country. In Nepal, domestic airlines like Buddha Air and Yeti Airlines operate between local cities.

Gujarat-tourism-and-travel-guide" class="destination_link" target="_blank">Patan is most easily accessible via roads from Kathmandu. If you decide to take a bus, you can choose between taking a microbus from Ratna Park in Kathmandu, which is comparatively the cheapest option. There is also the alternative option of taking a blue or green bus from Ring Road to Patan Durbar Square.

A more convenient option is to take a direct taxi from Thamel to Patan. The travel time is a mere 20-30 minutes. Tourists always run the risk of being scammed by local drivers, so make sure to bargain for the right prices.

Gujarat-tourism-and-travel-guide" class="destination_link" target="_blank">Patan is a relatively small suburb and is best explored on foot, especially the hidden treasures that lie among the narrow alleys and streets of the city. There are also options with public transport available for traveling to spots located farther away.