Rickshaw, Nepal

We used to walk to Thamel and from there catch a rickshaw to Asan, Durbar Square or anywhere else.
Mervyn caught a rickshaw to the "main post office" one day to go and buy stamps for my brother who is a stamp collector. As the rickshaw disappeared down the pot-claim roads, I thought I was never going to see him again. But two hours later they were back with smiling faces and the stamps. Mervyn afterwards took me to the interesting places that he saw on the way that day.

Not only are they original and an activity in its own for the first time traveler to Asia, but rickshaws are the cheapest and fastest option around Kathmandu, irrespective of time of day.
However, keep in mind:
1 - There’s a man cycling hard to get you there, so don’t choose rickshaws for long routes or uphill ones.
2 - While bargaining is a common fact, 10 rupees for the rickshaw man worth a lot more than 15 eurocents for you. On the other hand, if everybody auctions to the first price, budget travellers will have to walk in a few years.

A normal “tourist” fare for an average distance around Kathmandu should be less than 100 Nr, so it’s better to offer 50-60 Nr and agree on 80-100 Nr.

In other cities, count 100 Nr for every 3-5 km.

One thing that you will Soon discover when visiting Kathmandu is that prices vary Enormously !! This is Equally True for Rickshaws !! Nearly all the Rickshaws are on hire to the drivers so you can't really blame them for trying to extract a " Good " price from you but some of them really take the Pi.. !! The fare from Durbar Square to Thamel should be about 50 Nepalese Rupees, if you have a good ride then Sure give him a 100, after all it isn't a lot of money to us !! But Be warned that some Rickshaw drivers will start off by asking for 500 !!

2006 --If anything, Prices of Rickshaws has dropped over the past couple of years -- But we can still afford to be a little bit generous. Happy Travels in Nepal -- Rob

They are an interesting way to get around Kathmandu, but I find them less convenient than walking or getting a taxi. If however, you have never been in one before then I would say definitely give it a go, they are an experience. But always remember to agree on a price beforehand, that way you will not get ripped off.

Rickshaws are popular in many of the tourist areas of the cities throughout Nepal. There are tons of them in Thamel, and the drivers are very persistent. You can ride in them, and although they are more expensive than a tempo for example, they can be more relaxing. They are not for me, but feel free to give them a try if you want. Also remember to keep small bills (Rs 10, 20 and 50) because drivers are notorious for not having any change.

KET WORDS:
How much is the fare: bhaadaa kati parchha?
Drive slowly: Bistaarai haanknus!
Hurry: Chito chito garnus.
Stop: roknus!
Be careful: hos garnus!!
Please wait here: Yahaan parkhanus.

A rickshaw across Kathmandu will be around Rs100. I hired a tuk-tuk with driver acting as a guide for a day to see the main sites around Kathmandu for Rs900 / ?9 / $13. Ideal if you only have a day spare to do. it.

Getting there requires strategy and decisions. The Asian monetary crisis made affordable our $1100 Asiana Airlines round-trip ticket. Departure was from San Francisco, with a plane change in Seoul, Korea. We stopped in Bangkok, Thailand, for 5 days of cultural adjustment, then on to Kathmandu, Nepal. Other airlines fly to Kathmandu via Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Frankfurt, Bangkok or New Delhi.
With Dan and K.P. in one RICKSHAW, Jean and Joan in the other, our driver's pumped on the flat to see who was the fastest! Can't remember who won. On steep hills, we helped push the rickshaw.
Other methods of transport: Walk- tennis shoes are best on the uneven pavement or dirt. Rent a bike or motorcycle, ride the bus, take a motor taxi or a rickshaw.