How to Get to Kathmandu

Flying in to Tribhuvan International Airport, arriving overland from India or Tibet, getting your visa on arrival and the drive into the city.

By air

Most visitors arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), about 6 km east of central Kathmandu. There are direct flights from Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and several Chinese and Indian cities. The drive to Thamel then takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the traffic.

Want someone waiting for you when you land? Just ask us for an airport pickup when you book a tour, or include it in a multi-day tour.

Visa on arrival

Most nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival at the airport and at the main land borders. Fill in the online form before you travel to save time in the queue, and bring the fee in cash (US dollars are easiest). Visa rules and fees do change, so check the Nepal Department of Immigration website before you fly.

Overland from India

The main crossings are at Sunauli/Bhairahawa, Raxaul/Birgunj, Kakarbhitta and Mahendranagar. From the border it's a long day on a tourist bus, or a short domestic flight from Bhairahawa, Simara or Bhadrapur.

From Tibet

The Kerung (Rasuwagadhi) crossing connects Kathmandu with Lhasa, but you'll need a Tibet travel permit arranged in advance through a licensed agency.

Domestic flights

Kathmandu is the hub for domestic flights to Pokhara, Lukla, Bharatpur (for Chitwan), Bhairahawa (for Lumbini) and other cities. Our tip? Book a morning flight, as they're the most reliable.