Money & Payments in Pokhara (2026)

Currency: NPR (Nepalese Rupee)

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: thelongestwayhome.com, asocialnomad.com

Good to know

Good to Know

Nepal is fundamentally a cash-based economy. Even in Pokhara's tourist areas, many establishments prefer or only accept cash.
Notify your home bank before arrival to prevent fraud blocks on international card use.
Do not rely on ATMs for your entire trekking budget; withdrawal limits and daily limits mean multiple transactions and repeated fees. Withdraw larger amounts in Pokhara before leaving for mountain regions.
Power outages can disrupt card machines; always carry backup cash.
USD is widely accepted by hotels, tour agencies, and major establishments but is not useful for daily street purchases. Keep NPR for small expenses.
Wise card users: The Wise card works at Nepal ATMs with near-interbank rates and no Wise-side foreign transaction fees, but the local ATM host fee (~NPR 500) still applies. Only a small number of Pokhara establishments accept Wise QR code payments.
Exchange money at licensed money changers in Lakeside, Pokhara, not at the airport (significantly worse rates).
For trekking, carry NPR cash only. Remote areas have no ATM access and cards are not accepted.
Indian Rupees: High-denomination INR notes (Rs 500 and Rs 2000) are banned in Nepal. Smaller INR denominations may be accepted near the border but are less convenient than NPR.

Currency

NPR (Nepalese Rupee)

ATM Access

ATM Fee: NPR 500
Charged per withdrawal by the ATM operator
Daily Limit: NPR 100,000
Depends on the bank and your home bank policies
Availability In Pokhara: ATMs widely available, particularly in Lakeside (tourist area). Abundant coverage of major banks.
Withdrawal Limits Per Transaction: NPR 10,000
Withdrawal Limits Per Transaction Max: NPR 35,000
Varies by bank; typical range 10,000–35,000 NPR

Card Networks

Visa
Mastercard
Cirrus
Plus

Recommended Banks

Standard Chartered
Nabil Bank
Everest Bank
Himalayan Bank

Card Acceptance

Card Fees: NPR 3.00
3-5% surcharge is standard bank policy; applied by merchants at point of sale
Where Accepted: Large hotels, upscale restaurants, tour agencies, and shops in Pokhara (particularly Lakeside area)
Where Not Accepted: Local tea houses, trekking lodges, small shops, street vendors, taxis—these are cash-only establishments

Card Types Accepted

Visa
Status
widely accepted
Mastercard
Status
widely accepted
American Express
Status
rarely accepted

Tipping Culture

Taxis: No percentage-based tip expected; rounding up to nearest NPR 50 or 100 is courteous
Spas And Massage: NPR 300
Around 10% of treatment cost
Tour Guides Non Trekking: NPR 1,500
Per day; 10–15% of total tour cost also acceptable
Cultural Note: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory in most situations. Omitting a tip for poor service is acceptable; over-tipping can create unrealistic expectations for future visitors.

Etiquette

Hand tips with right hand only (left hand is considered disrespectful)
Present tips discreetly, not openly in crowds
Accompany tip with a genuine smile and direct eye contact
Use Nepali rupee notes only, in good condition

Restaurants

Local Eateries: Tipping is optional; rounding up the bill is polite but not expected
If No Service Charge: NPR 100
10% of bill is standard if no service charge included
Service Charge Included: Many mid-range and upscale restaurants include 10% service charge

Hotels And Teahouses

Bellhops Per Bag: NPR 20
Housekeeping Per Night: NPR 150

Cash Requirements

Practical Advice: Cash is the primary payment method in Pokhara, especially outside upscale tourist establishments. Carry sufficient NPR in small denominations (Rs 20, 50, 100) for daily expenses.
Note On Denomination: Merchants in smaller establishments often lack change for Rs 1000 notes; keep smaller bills on hand

Where Cash Essential

Local markets and street vendors
Small restaurants and tea shops
Taxis and local transportation
Trekking permits and local entry fees
Trekking lodges and remote areas

Currency Exchange

To Avoid

Airport (5–10% worse rates)
Hotels (unfavorable rates)
Street money changers

Best Locations In Pokhara

Licensed money changers in Lakeside area
Major banks (Standard Chartered, Nabil, Himalayan Bank)

Accepted Foreign Currencies

USD
GBP
EUR
AUD
INR (small denominations only; Rs 500 and Rs 2000 Indian notes banned)

Banking

Overview: Banking setup in Pokhara is possible for foreign visitors and expats, though with restrictions. Multiple Nepalese banks operate branches here.
Practical Challenges: International transfers from Nepal are complex due to NPR being non-freely convertible. Foreign currency accounts may incur maintenance fees. Exchange rate markups and hidden fees are common.
Account Type Restrictions: Tourists and short-term visitors are generally limited to USD or EUR accounts. NPR accounts require longer-term residence permits. Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) can open accounts remotely with proper documentation.
International Money Transfer: Multiple banks offer remittance services; Western Union and MoneyGram also available. Many Nepali banks partner with international money transfer providers.

Account Opening Process

For Visitors: Possible but requires in-person branch visit. Foreigners are typically limited to opening foreign currency accounts (USD, EUR) rather than Nepalese Rupee accounts while on tourist visas.
Processing Time: Varies by bank, but typically several days to weeks depending on verification procedures
Documentation Required: Valid passport or visa, proof of address (if available), recommendation from existing customer (helpful but not always required)

Banks With International Services

Standard Chartered Bank Nepal (known for accepting international cards at ATMs)
Nepal Investment Bank (66 branches across Nepal)
Sanima Bank (ATMs across South Asia)
Everest Bank
Himalayan Bank
Nabil Bank

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Pokhara

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Pokhara