Patan is 5 km south of central Kathmandu, across the Bagmati River. It is part of the continuous urban area of the Valley and there is no meaningful boundary between the two cities.
From Kathmandu: Taxis are the most straightforward option. A ride from Thamel to Durbar Square takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic and costs around NPR 300–500. Agree on the fare before getting in. Public microbuses run from Ratna Park (Kathmandu's main bus hub) to Lagankhel in southern Patan, passing through the city centre — cheap but slow and crowded.
From Tribhuvan Airport: The airport is northeast of Kathmandu; a taxi to Patan takes 30–60 minutes and costs NPR 700–1,000. Pre-paid taxi booths in the arrivals hall set fixed fares.