Nepal
Plan Your Trip to Nepal
Everything to plan a Nepal trip — visas, best time to go, money, safety, packing and etiquette, gathered into one practical hub.
Nepal rewards a little planning. Get the visa, season, budget and route right and the rest of the trip falls into place — but the details matter, from how much cash to carry on a trek to which months bring the clear mountain views you came for. This hub pulls every practical question into one place and sorts it into the order you'll actually need it: before you book, before you fly, and once you're on the ground.
How to plan your trip
Work through it in steps. First settle the visa and entry rules for your nationality and the best time to visit for what you want to do. Then set a budget and learn how money works — cash, cards and where ATMs run out. Cover the health, safety and insurance basics, especially if you're trekking high, then sort packing, power and connectivity and a few points of culture and etiquette so you arrive ready rather than guessing.
For the trip itself, this pillar pairs with the Nepal itineraries pillar for day-by-day routes, getting around Nepal for transport, and trekking in Nepal if the mountains are the main event. Browse the sections below, then dive into any guide for the detail.
Start here
Visa & entry
When to visit & weather
Money & budget
Money in Nepal: Cash, Cards & Mobile Payments
How Much Does a Trip to Nepal Cost?
How Much Cash to Bring to Nepal
Money and ATMs in Nepal
Changing Money in Nepal
Tipping in Nepal: A Practical Guide
Is Nepal Cheap to Travel? Real Costs 2026
Health, safety & insurance
Packing, power & connectivity
Culture & etiquette
Plan by traveller type
Understand Nepal — geography & people
Frequently asked questions
How do I plan a trip to Nepal?+
Start with the big four: a visa (most nationalities get one on arrival), the season (autumn and spring are prime), a rough budget, and a route — most first trips loop Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan over about two weeks. From there, work down through money, health and safety, packing and a few cultural basics. This hub gathers a guide for each step so you can plan in order rather than hunting page to page.
Do I need a visa to visit Nepal?+
Most travellers can get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or land borders, in 15-, 30- or 90-day options, paid in cash (USD preferred) or by card. A handful of nationalities must apply in advance, and SAARC nationals and some countries get special terms. Check passport validity (six months) and the visa-by-nationality guide below for your exact rules before you fly.
When is the best time to visit Nepal?+
Autumn (October–November) and spring (March–April) are the prime seasons — clear mountain views, stable trekking weather and the big festivals. The summer monsoon (June–September) brings rain, cloud and leeches on the trails but lush scenery and quiet, while winter is cold at altitude but crisp and clear lower down. The month-by-month guide below breaks down each one.
Is Nepal safe for tourists?+
Nepal is generally safe and welcoming, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The real risks are environmental and practical — altitude sickness on high treks, road safety on mountain highways, monsoon landslides, and occasional petty scams or pickpocketing in tourist areas. Travel insurance that covers trekking and helicopter rescue is strongly advised. See the health and safety guides below.
How much does a trip to Nepal cost?+
Nepal is among the best-value destinations in Asia. Backpackers can travel on a modest daily budget, mid-range travellers spend comfortably, and even a guided trek or a few luxury nights stay reasonable by global standards. Carry enough cash for treks and remote areas, where ATMs are scarce and cards are rarely accepted. The money and budget guides below have current ranges and how much cash to bring.
