Major city · India
Katihar
Skip Katihar unless you have a specific reason to be here: it's a rail junction with one wetland reserve and little else for a traveller. Half a day for Gogabil Lake, then move on.
Katihar is a small city in north-eastern Bihar, close to the Nepal border and the West Bengal line. It functions as a railway junction for trains heading into Assam and the north-east. The only draw for a traveller is Gogabil Lake, a wetland and bird sanctuary about 20 km south-west of the centre. The city itself has no major sights, and most visitors pass through on the train.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon, heat)
- Airport
- check
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Katihar112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Katihar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyKatihar is generally safe, but standard India precautions apply: avoid empty streets after dark, keep valuables out of sight…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- Airportcheckcheck Nearest airport: Bagdogra (IXB) (About 180 km (112 mi) north; 4–5 h by road.check Nearest airport: Bagdogra (IXB) (About 112 mi (180 km) north; 4–5 h by road.
- Getting aroundAuto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws cover the town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at a stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBudget double room, a night, per room₹800 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedBudget double room, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- High-end bedBudget double room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- check Nearest airport: Bagdogra (IXB) (About 180 km (112 mi) north; 4–5 h by road. Or Patna (PAT), about 250 km (155 mi) west.)check Nearest airport: Bagdogra (IXB) (About 112 mi (180 km) north; 4–5 h by road. Or Patna (PAT), about 155 mi (250 km) west.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Feb
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Mar
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Nov (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Katihar: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Feb
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws cover the town. For Gogabil Lake, hire an auto for the round trip (about ₹800–1,200, check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gogabil Lake
goDoor to door: About 1 h round trip plus time at the lake
Auto-rickshaw from Katihar, about 30–40 min
Bihar's first conservation reserve; 130 bird species, migratory in winter. Go at dawn.
Darbhanga
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Train from Katihar Junction, about 2–3 h
Larger city with palaces and the Madhubani art scene; worth a day if you have time.
Bhagalpur
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train from Katihar Junction, about 1.5–2 h
Silk city on the Ganges; Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary nearby.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near Katihar Junction
Handful of budget hotels within walking distance of the station; basic but fine for a night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget double room1 × 1 night × ₹800 | ₹800 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Auto-rickshaw to Gogabil Lake (round trip)1 × ₹1,000 · check | ₹1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹380 |
| Trip total≈ ₹4,180 per person per day, bed included | ₹4,180≈ US$50 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Chai at a stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Thali meal | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Auto-rickshaw ride within town | ₹50–150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Train ticket to Bhagalpur (general class) | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Touts at the railway station: ignore anyone offering unsolicited help.
- Gogabil Lake is best visited early morning for birdwatching; carry water and insect repellent.
- Monsoon (Jun–Sep) floods roads and makes the lake area muddy.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
KatiharKatihar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
इस पते पर चलिएTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Auto-rickshaw Katihar Junction → Gogabil Lake (one way): ₹400–600 (≈ US$5–7) (check)
- Train Katihar → Bhagalpur (general): ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) (check)
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितना? — How much? (kitna?)
- झील कहाँ है? — Where is the lake? (jheel kahan hai?)
Hindi is widely understood; English less so outside the station and hotels.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Katihar. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon, heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Katihar
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