What is the capital of Nepal?
The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu.
Photo: Gerd Eichmann · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Nepal
Nepal is in Southern Asia, Asia, with Kathmandu as its capital. Use this guide for trip planning — best time, budget ranges, cities and practical tips.
This Nepal travel guide covers the best time to visit, top cities, sample routes, budget ranges and how to travel to Nepal — including visa requirements.
Most first-time trips to Nepal work in 7–10 days: fly into Kathmandu, then move only as far as your energy allows. A practical first loop is Kathmandu → Pātan → Patan → Bhaktapur → Birgañj → Bharatpur. Mid-range travellers typically budget $20–60 per person per day on the ground (flights extra). Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions in most regions. This route, cost band and city shortlist are Global Itinerary’s own planning layer — not a copy of another guidebook.
Capital
Kathmandu
Population
28.1M
Currency
Rs · Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Languages
Nepali
Timezone
Asia/Kathmandu · UTC+05:45
Calling code
+977
History
Nepal has a rich history shaped by its position in Asia and the cultures of Southern Asia, leaving a legacy visible in its landmarks, cities and traditions today.
Culture
Culture in Nepal is expressed through its food, festivals, music and daily rhythms — a warm invitation to experience local life first-hand.
Best time to visit
Good months to visitJJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
November–March for cooler, drier conditions in most regions
Plan with confidence
Know before you go
Getting in & visas
Citizens of India may stay in Nepal indefinitely without a visa. Citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka may obtain a free visa-on-arrival for stays of up to 30 days regardless of reason of visit. citizens of China (mainland), Hong Kong and Macau are also eligible for a free visa-on-arrival for stays of up to 30 days, but are only permitted to visit for tourism.
Money & costs
Nepalese rupees are the local currency, denoted by the symbol "रु" or "Rs" (ISO currency code: NPR). Coins of Nepal come in denominations of 1 and 2 rupees. Banknotes of Nepal come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 rupees.
Getting around
By plane
There are a number of domestic airlines in Nepal such as Yeti Air, Tara Air and Nepal Airlines that offer frequent flights to many destinations around the country. Destinations to and from Kathmandu include places like Biratnagar, Nepalganj, Lukla, Pokhara, Simikot, Jomsom, Janakpur and Bharatpur. To arrange flights from outside Nepal, there are a number of on-line booking agents who can make bookings, take payment (credit/debit cards/PayPal) and then send e-tickets. If you are buying tickets while in Nepal or if you are flying at short notice, it is necessary to be flexible o…
Language
The great biological and cultural diversity of present-day Nepal is matched by its linguistic diversity. Nepal boasts a variety of living languages many of which are remnants of the traditional Asiatic cultural amalgamation in the region, it has an impressively large number for a country with such a small land mass. Nepal has more distinct and individual languages in one country than the whole of the European community.
Staying safe
Political extremism
Sometimes, there are strikes ("bandas") and demonstrations to contend with. Some businesses close, but many allowances are usually made for tourists, who are widely respected. Ask about strikes at your hotel or read the English language Nepali newspapers.
Staying connected
Internet connectivity is increasing rapidly, and obviously its availability is most widespread in Kathmandu (especially in Thamel and around the Boudha Stupa in Boudhanath) or Pokhara. In those two cities, most hotels and lodges will have free Internet connection with Wi-Fi. So will many restaurants. More and more villages will have Internet available at some lodges, usually with Wi-Fi. For example, in 2013, Wi-Fi was available in lodges in Jomsom and Muktinath. In the more remote villages, howe…
Local etiquette
Greet people with a warm Namaste (or "Namaskar" formal version - to an older or high-status person) with palms together, fingers up. It is used in place of hello or goodbye. Don't say it more than once per person, per day. The least watered down definition of the word: 'The divine in me salutes the divine in you.'
Practical guidance for Nepal is summarised from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Always confirm official visa, health and safety requirements before you travel.
Getting around & staying connected
Cheapest ways to travel in Nepal
Ride apps & transport
- 1Pathao
Bike and car app in Bangladesh and Nepal.
- 2inDrive
Name your own fare and let nearby drivers accept or counter — great for tight budgets.
Pathao and inDrive (cars & bikes) are cheapest in Kathmandu.
Cheapest SIM for foreigners
Ncell / Nepal Telecom
Cheap prepaid tourist SIMs with data; buy in the city or airport.
eSIM (Airalo / Holafly) lets you get online the moment you land — handy if you don't want to queue for a SIM.
Prices and app coverage change often — figures are indicative for 2026, so confirm the current tourist plan in the app or at the airport kiosk.
Plan your trip
A route through Nepal
A suggested loop connecting Nepal's major cities by proximity — a practical order for a multi-city trip.
Where to go
Top cities in Nepal
Bhaktapur
Nepal
Bharatpur
Nepal
Biratnagar
Nepal
Birgañj
Nepal
Kathmandu
Explore Kathmandu
Lukla
Nepal
Namche Bazaar
Nepal
Patan
Nepal
All Nepal city guides
10 cities — grouped A–Z so you can scan without loading every photo.
K (1)
L (1)
N (1)
In pictures
Nepal gallery
Photos: Gerd Eichmann, Utsab Raj Giri, Nahyd Akhtar, Rejunpoudel7 — via Wikimedia Commons
Location
Find it on the map
Plan your trip
Travel cost for Nepal
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Nepal
Estimated total (USD)
$1,655
≈ $828 per person · $236 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $45/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Nepal's mid-range daily budget ($20–60 per person on the ground). Flights are a separate estimate and vary by origin.
Good to know
Nepal travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Nepal?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions in most regions.
Is Nepal worth visiting?
Yes — travellers visit Nepal for its landscapes, cities and culture. Start with Kathmandu, then explore the top regions on this Nepal travel guide for a realistic itinerary.
Do I need a visa to travel to Nepal?
Visa rules for Nepal depend on your passport — use the visa checker on this site for a nationality-specific answer. Use our Nepal visa checker for rules by nationality before you book flights.
How much does a trip to Nepal cost?
Budget roughly $20–60 per person per day for mid-range travel in Nepal, not including long-haul flights. Costs vary by season and how much you move between cities.
Is Nepal safe for tourists?
Check current travel advice for Nepal before you go.
Keep exploring
