Fly Directly From Dubai to Pokhara — A New Way to Start Your Trek
September 26, 2026
A New Door Into the Mountains
For many years, the journey to our treks started the same way. Guests landed in Kathmandu after a long flight, spent a night in the city, and then took a domestic flight or a long bus ride to Pokhara. By the time we met them in Lakeside, many were already tired before the first step on the trail.
This autumn, something changed. Since 23 September 2026, there has been a daily direct flight from Dubai to Pokhara. For the first time, you can land right here, in the city where most Annapurna treks begin, with the mountains already in front of you.
We have been waiting for this for a long time. Here is everything we know so far about the new route, the airport, the visa, and what it means for your trek. If you have any questions after reading, please do not hesitate to reach out.
The Direct Flight From Dubai to Pokhara
The route is operated by flydubai, and it flies every day between Dubai International Airport (Terminal 3) and Pokhara International Airport. flydubai has been flying to Kathmandu for seventeen years, and Pokhara is now its second destination in Nepal.
The flight takes about four and a half hours. It leaves Dubai around midday and lands in Pokhara in the early evening, Nepal time. The return flight leaves Pokhara about one hour after arrival and reaches Dubai the same night. Schedules can change, so please always check the latest times with flydubai before you book.
For most of our guests, the best part is the connection. flydubai works together with Emirates, so you can book one single ticket from many cities around the world to Pokhara, with a change in Dubai. Your bags are checked all the way through, so you do not need to collect them in Dubai.
Pokhara International Airport — Modern and Built for the Future
The flights land at Pokhara International Airport, which opened on 1 January 2023. It is located at Chhinedanda, in the east of Pokhara, at around 800 m / 2,640 ft above sea level.
This is a large, modern airport. It has a runway of 2,500 m, a spacious international terminal with boarding bridges, and it was built to welcome up to one million passengers a year. Inside, you will find free Wi-Fi, an ATM, a help desk, restaurants and a childcare room.
On a clear day, the view as you land is something we will never get tired of. Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range rise straight up behind the valley, and you will see the mountains you came for before you even leave the plane.
A Small Note About Pokhara's Two Airports
Pokhara also has an old domestic airport, closer to Lakeside. Most domestic flights have moved to the new airport, but the small planes to Jomsom still leave from the old one. If your trip includes a flight to Jomsom, for example for a trek in Mustang, please make sure you go to the right airport. We will always tell you which one, so there is no confusion.
Visa on Arrival in Pokhara
You can get your tourist visa on arrival at Pokhara International Airport, in the same way as in Kathmandu. Most nationalities can apply, but please check that your country is eligible on the Nepal Department of Immigration website before you travel.
The current fees are:
- Fifteen days: 30 USD
- Thirty days: 50 USD
- Ninety days: 125 USD
What you need to bring:
- A passport valid for at least six more months
- One passport photo
- The visa fee in cash, ideally clean, undamaged US dollar notes
You can save time by filling in the arrival form online on the Department of Immigration website before your flight. For most of our treks, the thirty-day visa is the right choice, since it leaves room for a few quiet days in Pokhara after your trek. If you need more time, the visa can be extended at the immigration office here in Pokhara.
If you have questions about which visa fits your plans, please do not hesitate to ask us.
What This Means for Your Trek
For our guests, the new flight means less time travelling and more time in the mountains. You can land in the evening, check into your hotel in Lakeside, and have your pre-trek meeting with your guide. The next morning, you can be on your way to the trail.
It also means you no longer need the domestic flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara, which can be delayed or cancelled in bad weather. And you avoid the bus ride of seven to eight hours on a busy mountain road. For more about those options, please read our guide on getting from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
We would like to add one honest piece of advice. After a long journey through Dubai, some guests feel ready to walk the next morning, and some do not. If you are coming from far away, one easy day in Pokhara before your trek is never a bad idea. You can walk by Phewa Lake, rest, and let your body arrive too.
Also, this route is still very new. Pokhara's airport has seen international routes start and stop before, so please always check that your flight is confirmed before you plan the rest of your trip around it.
Flying Home Through Pokhara
The same flight works on the way home. You can finish your trek, enjoy a last evening or a last day in Lakeside, and fly out of Pokhara without returning to Kathmandu. Many guests tell us the last day by the lake is one of their favourites, so it is worth leaving a little time.
Planning Your First Trip to Nepal
If this is your first time in Nepal, you will find more practical tips on money, SIM cards and arrival in our First Time in Nepal Guide. To prepare for the trail itself, please have a look at our Trekking Equipment page.
The new direct flight from Dubai brings the mountains a little closer. You can land in Pokhara, get your visa right here, and start your trek with fresh legs and a clear head. If you have any questions about the flight, the visa, or which trek fits your dates, please do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to welcoming you in Pokhara.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Enjoy Nepal.
Landing in Pokhara Soon?
Whether you choose the sunrise on Poon Hill, the ridge of Mardi Himal or the heart of the Annapurna Sanctuary at Annapurna Base Camp, your trek begins close to where you land.
