Kathmandu Airport Arrival Guide

Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is a simple sequence once you know it: complete your visa form, pay the fee, clear immigration, collect bags, then take an official prepaid taxi or hotel pickup into the city. Knowing the steps in advance — and arriving already connected — turns a potentially chaotic first hour into a quick one. Here's exactly what to expect.

The short answer

Fill in (or pre-print) your visa form, pay the fee in US-dollar cash at the bank counter, queue at immigration, grab your bags and clear customs. Then use the official prepaid taxi desk or a pre-arranged pickup to reach Thamel, about 30–45 minutes away. Install an eSIM for Nepal before you fly so you land online. This is the on-the-ground companion to the Nepal trip planning essentials.

Step by step through arrivals

1. Visa form. If you completed the online application in the seven days before travel, bring the printout. Otherwise use a self-service kiosk in the hall.
2. Pay the fee. Take your form to the bank/visa-fee counter and pay in cash — US dollars are easiest. See the Nepal visa guide for current durations and rates.
3. Immigration. Queue at the desk with your passport and payment receipt to get your visa stamped.
4. Baggage and customs. Collect your bags from the carousel and walk through the green customs channel if you've nothing to declare.

Money and connectivity

There are money exchange counters in the arrivals area where you can change foreign currency to rupees — handy for the taxi and first night, though rates are usually better at city changers (see changing money in Nepal). For phones, Ncell and Nepal Telecom sell tourist SIMs at airport counters with your passport and a photo. The smoother option is an eSIM installed before departure, so you can open a map and message your hotel the moment you clear customs.

Getting into the city

Thamel, the main tourist district, is roughly 6km away — 30–45 minutes in traffic. Your best options:

• Prepaid taxi desk — official, fixed fares, no haggling; located in the arrivals hall.
• Hotel pickup — arrange in advance; a driver meets you with a name board.
• Ride-hailing apps — work well once you have data, often cheaper than airport taxis.

Skip the freelance touts who approach outside the terminal. Once you reach your hotel, plan onward travel with getting around Nepal and, if you're flying to the mountains next, the domestic flights in Nepal guide.

A few tips for landing day

• Keep small US-dollar notes accessible for the visa fee.
• Have a passport photo ready in case the kiosk camera is down.
• Don't change all your money at the airport — just enough for the first day.
• Skim things to know before visiting Nepal on the plane so the cash-and-altitude basics are fresh.