Getting around · Nepal
Tempos and Tuk-Tuks in Kathmandu
Electric Safa Tempos and tuk-tuks in Kathmandu — fixed cheap routes, fares and how to ride.
Kathmandu's tempos are small three-wheeled electric vehicles running fixed, shared routes across the city for just NPR 20–40 a ride. The valley's distinctive battery-powered Safa Tempos ("safa" means clean) are a legacy of a pioneering 1990s effort to fight air pollution, and they remain one of the cheapest, greenest ways to get around — if you can decode the routes.
What is a Safa Tempo?
A Safa Tempo is a compact electric three-wheeler seating around a dozen passengers on two benches, entered from the back. They glide quietly on battery power, a deliberate contrast to the diesel haze of older vehicles. Alongside them you will still see the word "tuk-tuk" used loosely for these and similar three-wheelers, though Kathmandu's signature version is the electric Safa fleet.
Routes and where to catch them
- Fixed numbered routes run along the city's busy corridors.
- Major hubs include the area around Ratna Park and other central junctions.
- Route numbers and destinations are displayed on the front.
- Ask a local which tempo serves your stop — the most reliable method, as there are no tourist route maps.
How to ride
- Wait at a hub or flag one down along its route.
- Climb in the back and take a seat on the bench.
- Pay the cash fare to the driver or helper; carry small notes and coins.
- Call your stop — there are no announcements, so watch the road or tell the driver in advance.
How they compare
Tempos are a touch less crowded than full-size buses and run clean and quiet, which some travellers prefer. They share the same drawbacks, though — fixed routes, no announcements, and the need to know roughly where you are going. For a fuller look at the cheapest options, see the Kathmandu public buses and microbuses guide, which covers the same corridors.
For door-to-door convenience, most visitors prefer a ride app — compare them in ride-hailing in Nepal — or a negotiated cab, explained in our Kathmandu taxis and fair fares guide. Browse every city mode at the Kathmandu and Pokhara city transport hub, and plan longer trips with getting around Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Safa Tempo in Kathmandu?+
A Safa Tempo is a small three-wheeled electric vehicle that runs fixed shared routes across Kathmandu. Safa means clean in Nepali, reflecting the fleet's battery-electric design, which dates back to a pioneering 1990s push to cut the valley's air pollution. They seat around a dozen passengers and are very cheap.
How much does a tempo ride cost in Kathmandu?+
Tempo fares are very low, typically only NPR 20 to 40 depending on distance, paid in cash to the driver or a helper. Like local buses, they are among the cheapest ways to travel in the city. Carry small notes and coins, as change for large bills is rarely available.
Where do tempos run in Kathmandu?+
Tempos follow set numbered routes along busy corridors, with major pick-up points around Ratna Park and other central hubs. The route number and key destinations are usually displayed on the front. As with buses, the simplest approach is to ask a local which tempo serves your destination.
Are tempos better than buses for tourists?+
Tempos are a little less crowded than full buses and run clean and quiet on electric power, which some travellers prefer. They share the same drawbacks, though — fixed routes, no announcements and the need to call your stop. For ease and speed, ride apps and taxis remain simpler for most visitors.