Vehicles

1. गाडी

   Gaadi

   Vehicle

   Usage

   The general word for anything on wheels — the word you use when asking what you will be travelling in

2. कार

   Kaar

   Car

   Usage

   From English "car" — use it to distinguish from a jeep or van when hiring

3. बस

   Bas

   Bus

   Usage

   The general word for a bus. On long routes, seats near the front sway less and are kinder to your stomach

4. माइक्रो बस

   Maaikro bas

   Micro bus

   Usage

   The small shared van linking Kathmandu with its suburbs, known simply as a "micro". The conductor calls out the destination from the window

5. टेम्पो

   Tempo

   Tempo (three-wheeler)

   Usage

   The three-wheeled shared taxi of Kathmandu, mostly the electric "safa tempo" ("clean tempo"), running fixed numbered routes. Call out to the driver where you want off

6. रिक्सा

   Riksaa

   Rickshaw

   Usage

   The pedal trishaw. It comes into its own in the old-town lanes of Thamel and Asan where cars cannot go. Always agree the fare first

7. ट्याक्सी

   Tyaaksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   Meters exist but drivers often refuse them — agree a price first, or use a ride-hailing app such as Pathao or inDrive

8. मोटरसाइकल

   Motarsaaikal

   Motorbike

   Usage

   The most common vehicle in the Kathmandu valley. Renting needs an international licence and a helmet — the mountain roads are for experienced riders

9. स्कुटर

   Skutar

   Scooter

   Usage

   The default for short hops in town. In Pokhara plenty of visitors rent one to circle the lake

10. साइकल

    Saaikal

    Bicycle

    Usage

    The bicycle — mountain-bike tours around the Kathmandu valley and Pokhara are popular too

11. जीप

    Jeep

    Jeep

    Usage

    The workhorse of unpaved mountain roads. Shared jeeps get you to most trailheads — some passengers ride on the roof

12. पर्यटक बस

    Paryatak bas

    Tourist bus

    Usage

    "Paryatak" means tourist — the reserved-seat buses linking Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan. Far easier going than a local bus

13. रात्रि बस

    Raatri bas

    Night bus

    Usage

    "Raatri" means night. Cheap for long hauls, but night driving on mountain roads carries real risk — take a daytime service where you can

14. जहाज

    Jahaaj

    Airplane

    Usage

    The word for a plane (originally "ship"). Mountain flights are cancelled often for weather, so leave slack in your schedule

15. हेलिकप्टर

    Helikaptar

    Helicopter

    Usage

    Used both for altitude-sickness evacuation and for scenic flights. A rescue is very expensive — buy insurance that covers high altitude before you travel

16. केबलकार

    Kebalkaar

    Cable car

    Usage

    The cable cars up to Manakamana temple and Chandragiri hill — a rare way to gain a high view without walking

17. डुङ्गा

    Dungaa

    Boat

    Usage

    The rowing boat. Hiring one on Phewa Lake in Pokhara for the Annapurna view is a standard outing

18. रेल

    Rel

    Train

    Usage

    Nepal has almost no railway — a line runs from Janakpur in the Terai to the Indian border, but trains are not a practical way to travel here

19. एम्बुलेन्स

    Embulens

    Ambulance

    Usage

    A loanword. In the hills there is often no road for one to reach you, and evacuation means a helicopter instead

20. ट्रक

    Trak

    Truck

    Usage

    Use it when arranging a delivery. Nepali trucks are famously painted in riotous colour

21. गोरुगाडा

    Gorugaadaa

    Ox cart

    Usage

    "Goru" (ox) + "gaadaa" (cart) — still working in the farming villages of the Terai

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