How do you get to Kathmandu?
Getting There7.9/10Easier to reach than about 75% of cities
- Main airport
- Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: tiairport.com.np, secretflying.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Tribhuvan International Airport is located in the middle of the junction of three ancient cities (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan), making it centrally accessible.
- Use the official pre-paid taxi counter at the airport to avoid inflated prices from unofficial taxis or unsolicited 'helpers' offering transport.
- Airport departure tax is included in airline ticket prices; no separate tax payment needed.
- Lukla flights (gateway to Everest) are frequently diverted to Ramechhap Airport during high trekking seasons (March-May and September-November) due to weather and runway maintenance; book accordingly.
- Power banks are banned in checked luggage but allowed in carry-on; ensure they are in your hand luggage when flying internationally.
- If transferring between domestic and international flights, allow at least 2.5 hours; you must clear customs, claim luggage, and recheck it yourself.
- Road conditions in Nepal are challenging due to winding mountain roads, ongoing construction, and seasonal effects (monsoon delays are common); factor extra time into overland journeys.
- Strikes (bandas) can disrupt transportation; stay informed through local news and hotel staff.
- When flying domestically, book through travel agents rather than online for better reliability and support.
- Thamel is the main tourist area; most hotels and guesthouses are located here, making it a convenient base for arrivals and departures.
- Currency exchange at the airport has lower rates than in Thamel; exchange only what you immediately need at the airport.
Day Trip Access
Nearby Areas
Boudhanath Stupa
- Transport
- Taxi, microbus, or ride-hailing app
- Travel Time
- 20-30 minutes by taxi or public transport
- Distance From Center
- Approximately 8 km
Pashupatinath Temple
- Travel Time
- 15-20 minutes from city center
- Distance From Airport
- 1 km
Swayambhunath Stupa
- Description
- Accessible by taxi, microbus, or walk from Thamel
Durbar Square
- Description
- Central location, easily walkable from Thamel or accessible by taxi/microbus
Bhaktapur
- Transport
- Taxi (NPR 1,500+) or public microbus
- Travel Time
- 45-60 minutes
- Distance From Center
- Approximately 13 km east
Patan (Lalitpur)
- Transport
- Taxi or microbus
- Travel Time
- 30-45 minutes
- Distance From Center
- South of Kathmandu
Nagarkot
- Description
- Hilltop viewpoint; accessible as day trip or overnight
Overland Borders
- Transport Options
- Tourist buses, private hired vehicles, shared jeeps; road conditions variable due to monsoon and construction
Primary Entry Points
Sunauli Border
- From
- Gorakhpur, India
- Travel Time To Kathmandu
- 6-7 hours
- Description
- Most commonly used crossing; connects to central Nepal and serves as gateway to Kathmandu, Lumbini, and Pokhara
Birganj Border
- From
- Patna, Bihar, India
- Travel Time To Kathmandu
- Not specified
- Description
- Connects to central Nepal
Kakarbhitta Border
- From
- Siliguri, West Bengal, India
- Travel Time To Kathmandu
- 14-16 hours
- Description
- Eastern Nepal entry point; serves travelers from North-East India
Airport
- Code
- KTM
- Name
- Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)
- Location
- 6 km east of city center in Sinamangal
- Daily Flights
- 59
- Is International
- Yes
- International Destinations
- 41
Terminals
- Domestic
- Separate domestic terminal approximately 500 meters north of international terminal, connected by free shuttle bus every 20 minutes
- International
- Terminal with arrival/departure areas, pre-paid taxi desk, currency exchange, SIM card counters, baggage assistance
Facilities
- ATMs and currency exchange counters in arrivals hall
- SIM card counters (Ncell, Namaste)
- Baggage assistance services
- Cafes and duty-free shops in departure area
- Banking services
- Executive lounges (Horizon Lounge, Radisson Hotel lounge, Thai Airways Royal Thai Silk lounge)
Hub Airlines
- Nepal Airlines (flag carrier)
- Himalaya Airlines
Major Carriers
- Qatar Airways
- Emirates
- Turkish Airlines
- Air India
- Nepal Airlines
- Himalaya Airlines
- Buddha Air
- Yeti Airlines
Arrival Information
- Recommended Early Arrival
- 3-4 hours before international departure
- Immigration Processing Time
- Approximately 1 hour for international arrivals
Popular Domestic Routes
- Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Kathmandu to Bhairahawa
- Kathmandu to Bharatpur
- Kathmandu to Biratnagar
- Kathmandu to Lukla (seasonal - diverted to Ramechhap during high trekking season March-May, September-November)
Popular International Routes
- Kathmandu to Kuala Lumpur
- Kathmandu to Bangkok
- Kathmandu to Doha
- Kathmandu to New Delhi
- Kathmandu to Dubai
Rail Connections
- Status
- Very limited
- Only Service
- Janakpur-Jayanagar Railway connecting Janakpur, Nepal to Jayanagar, India
- Notes
- Nepal's railway system is underdeveloped; trains not a practical transportation option within Nepal or to/from Kathmandu
Bus To Nearby Destinations
Chitwan
- Travel Time
- Variable
- Transport Type
- Tourist bus or domestic flight
- Notes
- Popular tourist destination accessible from Kathmandu
Pokhara
- Travel Time
- 6-8 hours by tourist bus
- Transport Type
- Tourist bus or domestic flight
- Departure Point
- Gongabu Bus Park (main bus station) or Thamel area hotels
Tourist Bus Companies
- Greenline Tours
- Jagadamba Travels
- Metro In
Ground Transport From Airport
Bus
- Travel Time
- 30-60 minutes
- Notes
- Service subject to strikes and limited operating hours; route signs may be in Nepali only
- Description
- Regular public bus service available curbside from airport to city center, though not always operational
Taxi
- To Bhaktapur
- NPR 1,500
- To Patan Lalitpur
- NPR 800
- To Boudhanath Stupa
- NPR 700
- To Thamel Main Tourist Area
- NPR 800
- Notes
- Use official pre-paid taxi counter; avoid unofficial taxis and 'helpers' offering rides
- Description
- Pre-paid taxi counter available at airport exit; fixed fares posted on board
Hotel Transfer
- Description
- Many hotels arrange shuttle service; ask hotel to arrange in advance
Domestic Flights From Kathmandu
Major Carriers
- Buddha Air (largest operator, ~472 scheduled departures weekly)
- Yeti Airlines (second largest operator)
- Nepal Airlines
- Himalaya Airlines
- Shree Airlines
Popular Destinations
- Pokhara (25 minutes, approximately 102 USD)
- Lukla (gateway to Everest; diverted to Ramechhap March-May and September-November, approximately 175 USD one-way)
- Bharatpur (Chitwan)
- Janakpur
- Bhadrapur
- Nepalgunj
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Kathmandu
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.