Changing Money in Nepal

To change money in Nepal, use licensed money changers in tourist hubs like Thamel and Lakeside, or banks and hotels, and bring US dollars, euros or pounds in clean, undamaged condition. The Nepali rupee is a closed currency you can't take home, so plan to spend or reconvert leftovers before you leave. Cash remains king across the country, so getting your money sorted early makes everything smoother.

The short answer

Bring major foreign currency — US dollars are most useful because your Nepal visa fee is paid in dollars. Change it at licensed money changers, who usually offer better rates than banks. Keep plenty of small rupee notes for daily life, and don't try to leave the country with rupees in your pocket. This sits alongside money and ATMs in Nepal in the wider trip planning essentials.

Which currency to bring

• US dollars — the most versatile; needed for the visa fee and trek permits, and accepted for some tours.
• Euros and British pounds — easily exchanged at good rates at any changer.
• Indian rupees — accepted near the border and for some transactions, but Nepal restricts high-value Indian notes, so don't rely on them inland.

Bring notes in good condition. Torn, marked or very old bills are often refused or exchanged at a worse rate.

Where to change money

Licensed money changers are the go-to option. They cluster in Thamel in Kathmandu and Lakeside in Pokhara, post their rates on boards, and are usually faster and slightly more generous than banks. Banks and larger hotels also exchange currency but tend to offer poorer rates and shorter hours. Wherever you go, count the cash in front of the teller and keep your receipt — you may need it to reconvert rupees later.

The closed-currency rule

The Nepali rupee cannot legally be taken out of or brought into the country, and it's almost impossible to exchange abroad. Reconvert any surplus to dollars or euros before you fly home — the airport changer may require your original exchange receipts to do so. Plan your spending in the final days so you're not left holding a thick wad of unusable notes.

Small notes and daily cash

Nepal runs on small change. Buses, tea houses, taxis and street vendors rarely break large notes, so:

• Keep a stock of 100 and 500-rupee notes for everyday spending.
• Break big notes at hotels, supermarkets and busy restaurants.
• Carry extra cash before treks — ATMs are scarce or absent in the mountains, as our money and ATMs in Nepal guide explains.

Pair this with our Nepal trip cost breakdown to estimate how much to change, and read the things to know before visiting Nepal for the wider cash-economy picture.