Money and payments
Cards and cash
There are banks in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Nepalgunj, Janakpur, Lumbini and other major cities that will allow you to retrieve cash from ATM or credit cards.
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Nepal (Nepali: नेपाल Nepāl) is a landlocked country in the Himalayas of South Asia. It has eight of the world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest, the world's tallest, on the border with Tibet, as well as Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Once many small kingdoms, then united as a monarchy for two centuries, Nepal has been a republic since 2008.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Nepal.
Cards and cash
There are banks in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Nepalgunj, Janakpur, Lumbini and other major cities that will allow you to retrieve cash from ATM or credit cards.
Nepali
The great biological and cultural diversity of present-day Nepal is matched by its linguistic diversity.
Both operators allow tourists to buy SIM cards for about Rs200 in Kathmandu and most major towns.
Mobile networks
Filter or treat your own water, use bottled water, checking to make sure lid is sealed (limit use of bottled water since there's no place to dispose of the used bottles) or stick with beverages made from water that has been thoroughly boiled and filtered.
Greet people with a warm Namaste (or "Namaskar" – the formal version – to an older or high-status person) with palms together, fingers up. It is used in place of hello or goodbye.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
capital and cultural centre of Nepal, with its Hanumandhoka Durbar Square and the stupas at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.
a well-preserved historical city, centre of pilgrimage and Nepali pottery-making; no motorised vehicles allowed.
an important agricultural and industrial centre, and a centre for politics in eastern Nepal.
a historical religious centre and home to the 500-year old Janaki Temple.
a Sherpa settlement in the Solu Khumbu region popular with trekkers.
the main hub for the Mid- and Far-Western Development Region; Bardiya National Park and Banke National Park are close by.
beautiful, historic Patan Durbar Square was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.
picturesque lake-side town fast becoming the destination of choice for travellers due to the scenery, adventure sports, dining, hotels and live music scene.
Popular trekking region of Nepal with the world-famous Annapurna Circuit.
World Heritage site with tigers, rhinos and jungle animals.
Tiny village in the mountains offering panoramic views of the Himalayas; especially stunning at sunrise and sunset.
The site of a mountain cave where Padmasambhava attained a state beyond life and death.
The sacred site of the Buddha Shakyamuni's birth.
The tallest peak of the world.
A hill station one hour from Kathmandu offering excellent views of the Himalayan Range.
The site of several sacred caves associated with Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.
Places in Nepal on the World Heritage List.
Lumbini
Listed 1997
Kathmandu Valley
Listed 1979
Chitwan National Park
Listed 1984
Sagarmatha National Park
Listed 1979
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The roof of the world, including Mount Everest, Annapurna, Langtang National Park and The Great Himalaya Trail with numerous sightseeing, trekking and other adventure sport opportunities.
Home to Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, this is in the heart of Nepal and a crossroads of cultures with numerous temples and monuments.
The Hill Region (Pahar in Nepali) is mostly between 700 and 4,000 metres altitude. This region is split from the Terai Range by the Mahabharat Lekh (Lesser Himalaya) and forms a geographic midlands between the Terai and the Himalayas. It includes the scenic Pokhara Valley, a popular base for activities in the area.
The western side of the Terai place with the Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park. Also home to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha.
A populated area with Biratnagar, Nepal's second-largest city.
Public transport and paid services in Nepal.
By bus
By taxi
By car or motorbike
Nepal has left-hand traffic. There is little awareness of pedestrians' rights. Roads are often narrow and in poor condition.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Nepal.
Finding apps for Nepal…
Other ways to travel:By bicycleOn foot
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kathmandu · International · KTM
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Kathmandu
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 19° | 23° | 28° | 33° | 34° | 33° | 29° | 29° | 27° | 26° | 23° | 20° |
| Avg. low | 8° | 11° | 15° | 19° | 22° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 21° | 18° | 14° | 10° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 12 | 19 | 24 | 39 | 100 | 200 | 323 | 262 | 184 | 51 | 4 | 5 |
| Humidity | 46% | 41% | 34% | 32% | 43% | 61% | 82% | 85% | 85% | 73% | 60% | 51% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$80
Per person, per day
Luxury
$210
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $45 | $125 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $15 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $35 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Nepal due to natural disasters. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Nepal regularly experiences earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Earthquakes can happen suddenly with little warning, including in the Kathmandu Valley. During the monsoon season from June to September, heavy rain can cause flash floods and landslides. These can block roads, damage buildings, and make it hard to get help in an emergency. Review our information on Weather and Natural Disasters in Nepal. Emergency services Medical services have limited ability to handle regular and emergency care. Review the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information. Hospitals in Kathmandu are usually better than in other areas, but they can be crowded, may lack some equipment or medicines, and often ask that you pay before treatment. Medical treatment of foreigners is not paid for by the Government of Nepal. Bring the medicines you need, get travel health insurance that covers medical evacuation, and understand you might need to go to another country for serious treatment. Do not travel to: The Rasuwagadhi-Timure-Syafrubesi area of Rasuwa district, including the Nepal-China border crossing, for any reason due to flood damage, disrupted transportation and communications, search-and-rescue and recovery operations, and the risk of additional flooding and landslides.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Flash flood in the Rasuwa district and the Nepal-China border area On 26 August 2026, major flooding in Rasuwa district and the Nepal-China border area caused widespread damage. Buildings, roads, other transport and communications infrastructure have been severely damaged. Other areas in Nepal, including Gorkha, Nuwakot and Dhading, have also been affected. The Nepalese authorities and emergency services are responding. The authorities have warned of the risk of further flooding. Areas affected by flooding and landslides may remain unstable. Further heavy rainfall or an earthquake could trigger additional landslides, rockfalls and other hazards, particularly in mountainous areas. The situation may change rapidly. If you are travelling in the region, follow the advice of the Nepalese government and local authorities, be alert to the changing situation and monitor local media for updates. The Nepalese government has established a toll-free emergency Nepalese language number, 1234, and a dedicated hotline 1144 accessible in Nepal. Consular assistance remains available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone affected who requires support from the UK Government. If you are affected and need assistance from the UK Government call: from Nepal +977 (0)14237100 from India +91 11 2419 2100 from the UK +44 (0) 207 008 5000 Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. See the ‘Getting Help’ page for further information. Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption,…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Nepal.
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Nature & adventureTrekking in Nepal is one of the unique experiences of Asia. The country has eight of the top ten highest summits in the world and some of the most beautiful landscapes, which are only reachable on foot.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesEverest Base Camp Trek is a famous and moderately challenging trek in Khumbu, Nepal.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkWhile South Asia is a vast subcontinent with diverse climate and culture, some culinary traditions can be found across the region.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Indigenous Peoples Trail is in Ramechhap District of Nepal.
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Culture & historyHinduism is the world's third most prolific religion after Christianity and Islam. With a history spanning many thousands of years, it is the dominant religion in South Asia and has been very influential in Southeast…
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