Visitors to Chitwan National Park no longer have to queue at a counter and pay cash to get in. At least not at Sauraha, where a new online ticketing service began on a trial basis on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Park officials say the system is meant to make entry easier for both domestic and international visitors. Senior conservation officer Dil Bahadur Purja Pun said the service will be extended to other entry points, depending on how the trial goes.
How the new system works
Visitors enter their details, pay online and receive a QR code, which they show at the park entrance. The reported Chitwan ticket is valid for one day.
Until now, visitors and tourism operators had to be at the entrance in person and pay in cash. That could cause delays and inconvenience, especially in busy travel periods.
The online booking runs through the national park ticketing portal. Visitors choose Chitwan National Park, fill in the requested details, pay and keep the ticket. Check the official booking page for the exact steps and any extra charges.
Why Sauraha first
The park has 12 entry points, including Sauraha, Kasara, Ghatgain, Meghauli and Amaltari. Sauraha was picked for the trial because it receives the most visitors.
Park records show 272,923 visitors in fiscal year 2082/83. Of those, 237,025 came in through Sauraha, which is about 86.8% of the total, based on the published figures.
That limit matters for anyone planning a trip. The rollout was reported only for Sauraha, so visitors using another gate should confirm that online tickets work there before they travel.
What officials expect
The system is expected to cut queues, simplify ticket purchases and improve visitor records. Park officials also plan to train tourism operators and prepare instructional videos to help visitors use the service.
Entry fees stay the same
Online ticketing changes how you buy a ticket, not what it costs. The entry fees are:
Nepali citizens: Rs 150 per person
SAARC-country visitors: Rs 1,000 per person
Other foreign visitors: Rs 2,000 per person
Tourist jeep entering the park: Rs 5,000 per entry
Background
Chitwan National Park is one of Nepal’s main wildlife-tourism destinations. It is known for greater one-horned rhinoceroses, Bengal tigers, gharial crocodiles and a wide range of birdlife. With so many visitors using a single gate, the ticketing process shapes the first impression for most of them.
What happens next
The trial is the first step in digitising visitor services at the park. How useful it proves depends on three things: whether online payments work reliably, how easy it is to get a ticket, and how quickly the system reaches the other entry points.
