Nepal's Future Rail Network: What the Planned Train Lines Mean for Travelers

Overview

As of 2025, Nepal has no operational national railway for tourists. The only existing rail is the narrow-gauge Janakpur Railway (also called the Nepal Railway), a heritage line in the Terai plains that connects Jaynagar (India) to Bijalpura with limited service and mainly local use. It is not practical for tourist transit. However, several major rail projects are in planning and early development stages. The China-Nepal Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network (TMCN) includes a proposed rail line from the Chinese border at Rasuwagadhi to Kathmandu, with extensions to Pokhara and the Indian border — a transformative project that would dramatically reduce travel time from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Feasibility studies are complete but construction has not yet begun as of early 2026. The Indian side has also proposed extending the Indian rail network to Kathmandu via the Raxaul-Kathmandu rail link. Both projects, once built, would fundamentally change how Nepal connects to its neighbors but remain years from completion.

FAQ

Q: When will train travel be available for tourists in Nepal?

Realistic estimates for the China-Nepal rail line put completion no earlier than 2030-2035, and possibly later given terrain challenges (the line would cross the world's highest rail tunnels through the Himalayas). The India-Nepal link is similarly distant. For the foreseeable future, road, air, and bus remain the only options.

Q: Is there any tourist rail experience I can do in Nepal today?

The Janakpur-Jaynagar heritage railway offers a short, slow, and atmospheric narrow-gauge ride through the Terai plains that train enthusiasts find charming. It is a heritage experience rather than practical transport, covering a short distance on vintage rolling stock.