Butwal is one of the main transport hubs of western Nepal, and getting there is straightforward from most directions.
By bus: The main Mahendra Highway (East-West Highway) passes through Butwal, making it well-connected to Lumbini (about 2 hours west), Pokhara (about 4–5 hours north via the Siddhartha Highway), Kathmandu (about 8–10 hours), and the Indian border crossing at Sunauli (about 1 hour south). Bus services are frequent throughout the day on the major routes; book ahead for overnight coaches to Kathmandu.
From India: The nearest border crossing is at Sunauli/Belahia, about 22 km south of Butwal. Crossing takes about an hour including immigration formalities. From the border, shared jeeps and local buses run directly to Butwal.
By air: There is no commercial airport in Butwal itself. The nearest functioning airports are at Bhairahawa (Gautam Buddha International Airport, about 25 km south, with flights to Kathmandu and some international destinations) and Pokhara to the north.