Where Butwal fits
Butwal sits in Rupandehi District on the Tinau River, right where the first ridges rise out of the Terai. From here, Tansen is roughly one and a half to two hours up the hill road. Bhairahawa and Gautam Buddha International Airport are a short drive south, with Lumbini a little beyond. Heading east along the East–West Highway takes you towards Narayangarh and Chitwan.
Because so many routes meet here, Butwal is where you are most likely to change buses or vehicles when travelling between the hills and the plains by public transport.
Changing transport
Butwal is busy, with heavy traffic and plenty of buses, microbuses and shared vehicles. If you are changing here, ask your driver or conductor exactly where you will be dropped off and where onward services leave from, as there can be more than one departure point.
Keep your bags close and your valuables with you. If you are arriving late in the day, consider a private car for the hill section to Tansen, so you are not looking for onward transport after dark.
Picking up supplies
As a large town, Butwal has banks and ATMs, pharmacies and plenty of shops. It is a sensible place to withdraw cash and pick up anything you need before heading into the hills, where choice is more limited. See our guide to money and payments in Nepal for more.
Butwal is hot for much of the year, especially from late spring into the monsoon, so keep water with you while you wait.
A short escape uphill
For people living in Butwal and the surrounding plains, the hills of Palpa are close enough for a weekend away. Bulbul Farm Retreat in Bartung is one option; see a weekend getaway from Butwal for ideas.