Nepal Travel Guide: Visa, Money, Permits & Tips
Everything to sort out before you go: visa fees, cash and ATMs, SIM cards, trekking permits and guide rules, getting around, altitude and safety.
Visa and entry
- How much is a Nepal tourist visa?
- Visa on arrival costs US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days and US$125 for 90 days (multiple entry). Extensions cost US$3 a day (minimum 15 days). Pay in cash, ideally clean US dollar notes.
- Can I get a visa on arrival in Nepal?
- Yes, at Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu, Gautam Buddha Airport in Bhairahawa, Pokhara International Airport and the main land borders (Kakarvitta, Birgunj, Belahiya/Sunauli, Nepalgunj, Gaddachauki, Rasuwagadhi). Fill in the online form on the Department of Immigration website up to 15 days before arrival to skip the kiosks.
- Who gets a free Nepal visa?
- Citizens of SAARC countries (except Afghanistan) get 30 days free once a year, Chinese citizens get a free tourist visa, and children under 10 (except US citizens) are free. Indian citizens need no visa at all.
Money and costs
- What currency is used in Nepal?
- The Nepali rupee (NPR, रु.). One US dollar is about NPR 135. Hotels, trekking agencies and airlines often quote in dollars, but daily spending is in rupees.
- Do ATMs work in Nepal for foreign cards?
- Yes, in cities and big towns. Most ATMs give NPR 10,000–35,000 per withdrawal and charge foreign cards about NPR 500–800 each time, so take out larger sums. There are no ATMs on most trekking routes beyond Namche, Jomsom or Chame: carry enough cash.
- How much does a day in Nepal cost?
- Budget travellers spend about NPR 3,250 (US$24) a day sharing a room in Kathmandu or Pokhara; mid-range about NPR 6,950 (US$51). On a teahouse trek, rooms are cheap but food costs more the higher you go. Use the trip planner for a full estimate.
- Do you tip in Nepal?
- Not required but appreciated: round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants (check for a 10% service charge on the bill), and on treks tip your guide and porter about 10–15% of their wages at the end.
Phone and internet
- How do I get a SIM card in Nepal?
- Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell both have counters in the arrivals hall at Kathmandu airport. Bring your passport (they take a photo). Tourist data packs cost about NPR 500–1,500 for 10–30 GB. NTC has better coverage in remote hills and on most treks; both work in cities. eSIMs also work.
- Is there Wi-Fi on Nepal treks?
- Most teahouses on the Everest, Annapurna and Langtang routes sell Wi-Fi or Everest Link/Airlink cards for NPR 300–1,000, but it gets slow and patchy above 4,000 m. Charging phones also costs extra up high.
Permits and trekking rules
- Do I need a guide to trek in Nepal?
- Since April 2023 foreign trekkers must go with a licensed guide in national parks, conservation areas and restricted areas, booked through a registered agency. The Khumbu (Everest) local government does not enforce it, but rules change, so check before you go.
- What permits do I need for trekking in Nepal?
- Most treks need a TIMS card (NPR 2,000, about US$15) and the park or conservation-area fee: Annapurna (ACAP) NPR 3,000, Langtang NPR 3,000, and Everest NPR 5,000 including the Khumbu municipality fee (no TIMS there). Restricted areas need an extra permit: Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo US$500 for 10 days, Manaslu and Nar Phu US$100 a week (autumn), Kanchenjunga US$20 a week.
- Where do I get trekking permits?
- At the Nepal Tourism Board office in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, or in Pokhara (Damside). ACAP and Langtang fees can be paid at the trailhead checkpoints too. Restricted-area permits are issued only through a registered trekking agency.
Getting around
- How do I get from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
- By tourist bus (6–8 hours, about NPR 1,000–2,500 / US$8–19, leaving early morning from Kantipath/Thamel) or by plane (25 minutes, about US$100–130 one way for foreigners). Private cars cost about NPR 15,000–18,000.
- How do I get to Lukla for Everest Base Camp?
- Fly from Kathmandu (35 minutes) — in the busy months (March–May, October–November) most Lukla flights leave from Manthali (Ramechhap), a 4–5 hour drive from Kathmandu. Allow one or two spare days: weather often delays flights. Or walk in from Jiri or Salleri.
- Is it safe to travel by road in Nepal?
- Main highways are fine but slow — plan on 25–40 km an hour in the hills. Tourist buses and private jeeps are safer than local night buses. In the monsoon (June–September) landslides can block roads for hours.
Health and safety
- Is Nepal safe for tourists?
- Yes, Nepal is one of the safer countries in Asia for visitors, including solo women. The real risks are roads, altitude and weather, not crime. Keep valuables close in Thamel and on buses.
- How do I avoid altitude sickness in Nepal?
- Above 3,000 m, sleep no more than 300–500 m higher each night and take a rest day every 1,000 m. Drink plenty of water, skip alcohol, and go down at once if a headache gets worse or you feel confused or breathless at rest. Get travel insurance that covers helicopter rescue to 6,000 m.
- Can you drink tap water in Nepal?
- No. Use filtered refill stations (common in Thamel, Pokhara and on the Annapurna and Everest trails), a filter bottle or purification tablets — it saves money and plastic.
- What are the emergency numbers in Nepal?
- Police 100, Tourist Police 1144 (Kathmandu 01-4247041), ambulance 102, fire 101.
Good to know
- What plugs and voltage does Nepal use?
- 230 V, 50 Hz, with round-pin sockets (types C, D and M). Bring a universal adapter. Power cuts are now rare in cities.
- What time zone is Nepal in?
- Nepal Standard Time is UTC+5:45 — 15 minutes ahead of India. There is no daylight saving.
- What should I wear in Nepal?
- Light layers and modest clothes (covered shoulders and knees) at temples and in villages; take shoes off before entering temples and homes. For treks, a warm down jacket and a good sleeping bag even in spring and autumn.
- What are the main customs to respect in Nepal?
- Greet with "Namaste" and joined palms, walk clockwise around stupas and chortens, use your right hand to give and eat, and ask before photographing people or inside temples. Some Hindu temples, including Pashupatinath's main shrine, are open to Hindus only.
Fees checked October 2026. Rules and prices change — confirm with the Department of Immigration and Nepal Tourism Board before you travel.