Bhaktapur is 13 km east of Kathmandu, and the journey by taxi takes 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. Kathmandu traffic can be very slow; allow extra time if leaving during morning or evening rush hours. Taxis from Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu) charge a flat rate to Bhaktapur; agree the price before getting in.
Microbuses and local buses run frequently between Kathmandu's Bag Bazaar area and Bhaktapur's bus terminal, which is at the eastern edge of the town — a short walk or rickshaw ride from the Durbar Square entrance. These are slower but significantly cheaper.
If you are cycling from Kathmandu, the road is shared with heavy trucks for the first stretch and gets better as you approach Bhaktapur. The 13 km takes about an hour each way and is manageable for confident cyclists.