Arriving at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport can feel slightly chaotic after a long flight, but the process is manageable when you know the order: visa and immigration, baggage collection, customs, money or mobile data, and transport to your hotel.
This step-by-step Kathmandu airport arrival guide explains what to prepare before flying, what to do inside the terminal, where to get cash and a tourist SIM, and how to reach your hotel without unnecessary stress.
Kathmandu airport arrival: the quick answer
For most international visitors, the basic arrival sequence is:
- Complete the Nepal tourist visa process if you do not already hold a visa or electronic authorization.
- Pass through immigration.
- Collect your checked baggage.
- Complete customs procedures and follow the Green or Red Channel as appropriate.
- Withdraw or exchange a small amount of money if needed.
- Buy or activate a tourist SIM or eSIM.
- Use the official prepaid taxi counter or your pre-arranged hotel transfer.
- Travel to your hotel and complete the rest of your setup after checking in.
Best first-night strategy: Reserve your Kathmandu hotel in advance, save its address and phone number offline, and ask whether the hotel provides an airport pickup.
What to prepare before flying to Nepal
A little preparation can save a surprising amount of time after landing.
Keep these accessible in your hand luggage
- Passport
- Boarding pass or arrival flight details
- Nepal hotel name, address and telephone number
- Visa or electronic authorization documents, if obtained before travel
- Online Visa on Arrival submission receipt, if completed in advance
- Travel insurance details
- A payment card and some backup cash
- A pen for any paper forms
Do not store the only copy of your hotel confirmation or visa receipt in checked luggage. Save copies on your phone and, ideally, in your email or cloud storage.
Complete the visa form before arrival
Nepal’s Department of Immigration allows travelers to complete the online tourist visa application before arriving. The official process asks for personal details, passport information, visa duration, purpose of visit and an address in Nepal.
Save or print the submission receipt and barcode. The Department of Immigration states that the receipt is valid for a limited period, so complete it reasonably close to your travel date.
Internal link: Nepal Tourist Visa Guide: Fees, On-Arrival Steps and Extensions
Step 1: complete the visa process
Travelers who already have a valid Nepal visa or approved electronic authorization can proceed according to the immigration signs and instructions.
Travelers using Visa on Arrival generally follow three official steps:
- Complete the Arrival Card and tourist visa form. This can be done online before travel or using the facilities available at the airport.
- Pay the visa fee. Choose the appropriate 15-, 30- or 90-day tourist visa.
- Proceed to the immigration desk. Present your passport, application receipt and payment receipt.
Current tourist visa fees
| Visa duration | Fee | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | USD 30 | Short holidays and compact itineraries |
| 30 days | USD 50 | Most first-time trips and flexible itineraries |
| 90 days | USD 125 | Long stays, extended trekking and slow travel |
The Department of Immigration says multiple payment methods may be available but advises travelers to carry some cash. Payment systems and counters can occasionally change, so keep both a card and backup cash available.
Important: Visa on Arrival eligibility is not identical for every nationality. Check the official Department of Immigration guidance before traveling instead of assuming that your passport qualifies.
Step 2: pass through immigration
At the immigration desk, have your documents ready before reaching the counter:
- Passport
- Visa application receipt or barcode
- Visa-payment receipt
- Hotel address or local contact information if requested
Check the visa sticker or entry record before walking away. Confirm that your name, passport details and permitted duration appear correct.
Immigration lines can vary considerably depending on how many international flights arrive around the same time. Keep your documents organized rather than unpacking bags at the counter.
Step 3: collect your baggage
After immigration, follow signs to baggage claim and check the display for your flight’s assigned carousel.
Tribhuvan International Airport states that baggage trolleys are available free of charge. Keep your baggage-claim tag until you have left the collection area in case staff need to verify a bag.
If your bag does not arrive
Do not leave the baggage area immediately. Find your airline or ground-handling representative and complete a delayed-baggage report before exiting.
Keep the following information available:
- Baggage tag or claim receipt
- Boarding pass
- Kathmandu hotel address
- Local or WhatsApp telephone number
- A photograph or description of the missing bag
Step 4: complete customs procedures
Tribhuvan International Airport instructs arriving passengers to have their hand baggage examined before exiting to the arrival lounge. Travelers then follow the appropriate customs channel.
- Green Channel: for travelers without goods that need to be declared.
- Red Channel: for travelers carrying items that must be declared or when unsure about customs obligations.
If you are carrying unusually valuable equipment, commercial quantities of goods, restricted items, or large amounts of precious metals, check Nepal’s current customs requirements before traveling.
Step 5: get a small amount of Nepalese cash
Tribhuvan International Airport lists banking, ATM and foreign-exchange facilities in the international-arrival area. Their exact location within the arrival flow may vary, so follow the terminal signs or ask airport staff.
How much should you withdraw or exchange?
You do not need to exchange your entire travel budget at the airport. Start with enough for:
- Airport transportation
- Your first meals and drinks
- Small tips
- Local purchases
- A backup in case your card is temporarily declined
Around NPR 5,000–10,000 is usually a practical first cash amount for ordinary arrival expenses, depending on your hotel-transfer arrangements and travel style. This is a planning suggestion, not an official requirement.
ATM or currency exchange?
- ATM: convenient, but your issuing bank and the local ATM may both charge fees.
- Exchange counter: useful when carrying accepted foreign currency, but compare the displayed rate.
- Backup plan: bring more than one payment method and keep them separately.
Avoid displaying a large amount of cash in the public arrival area. Organize your money discreetly before leaving the terminal.
Internal link: Money in Nepal: Cash, Cards, ATMs, Exchange and Tipping
Step 6: buy or activate a tourist SIM
Getting mobile data early makes the rest of your arrival much easier. You can message your hotel, check maps, contact a driver and share your arrival with family.
Ncell states that its Tourist SIM is available at Tribhuvan International Airport and that travelers must present their original passport for registration and activation. Ncell also currently offers tourist eSIM options.
Before leaving the counter
- Confirm that calls or mobile data work.
- Ask how to check your data balance.
- Save your new Nepal telephone number.
- Message your hotel or travel companion as a test.
- Keep the SIM packaging or activation details.
If the tourist-SIM counter is closed or crowded, you can purchase service later from an authorized provider in Kathmandu. Do not accept an unregistered SIM from an informal seller.
Internal links:
SIM Cards and Internet in Nepal
Nepal SIM vs eSIM: What Is Best for Tourists?
Step 7: arrange transport to your hotel
You have two straightforward arrival options:
Option 1: official prepaid taxi
Tribhuvan International Airport operates a prepaid taxi service outside the arrival gate. The airport states that passengers pay in advance and that rates are displayed on a board.
This is often the simplest choice for first-time visitors because you agree to the displayed fare before beginning the journey.
Option 2: pre-arranged hotel or tour-company pickup
A hotel pickup is useful when:
- You arrive late at night
- You are traveling with children or substantial luggage
- You want someone waiting with your name
- Your hotel is difficult to locate
- You are continuing directly to another destination
Before getting into the vehicle
- Confirm the hotel name and area.
- Confirm the fare or verify that it was prepaid.
- Check that all luggage has been loaded.
- Send the vehicle or driver details to a travel companion when practical.
- Use the hotel’s official telephone number if there is confusion.
Do not feel pressured to accept the first unsolicited transport offer. Use the official prepaid counter or a confirmed pickup.
Internal link: Taxi and Ride Options in Kathmandu: Pricing and Scam Prevention
Step 8: check in and complete your setup
Once you reach your hotel, take a few minutes to prepare for the next day rather than immediately making complicated plans.
Your first-hour hotel checklist
- Confirm the hotel Wi-Fi and reception number.
- Store your passport and valuables securely.
- Ask about breakfast times and drinking-water arrangements.
- Confirm any next-day driver, tour or transport booking.
- Check your cash and SIM balance.
- Rest and hydrate after your flight.
For the first night, staying in an established neighborhood with reliable transport and food options usually makes the transition easier.
Internal link: Where to Stay in Kathmandu: Best Areas by Travel Style
Common Kathmandu airport arrival mistakes
Not saving the hotel address offline
Mobile data may not work immediately. Save the address, telephone number and map screenshot before flying.
Exchanging too much money at once
Get enough for immediate needs, then compare rates or ATM options after reaching the city.
Walking away from immigration without checking the visa
Verify your permitted stay and details while you are still close to the counter.
Leaving baggage claim before reporting a missing bag
File a report with the airline or ground handler before exiting the controlled area.
Accepting an unclear taxi arrangement
Use the official prepaid counter or a pickup confirmed directly with your hotel.
Planning a tight onward connection
Arrival queues, baggage delivery, customs and Kathmandu traffic can vary. Avoid scheduling an important city tour or a closely timed long-distance departure immediately after landing.
Kathmandu airport arrival checklist
- ☐ Passport and visa documents ready
- ☐ Hotel address saved offline
- ☐ Visa fee payment method available
- ☐ Visa or entry details checked before leaving immigration
- ☐ Baggage collected and inspected
- ☐ Customs channel completed
- ☐ Small amount of Nepalese cash obtained
- ☐ Tourist SIM or eSIM activated
- ☐ Hotel contacted
- ☐ Prepaid taxi or confirmed transfer used
- ☐ Driver and hotel destination confirmed
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Kathmandu airport arrival FAQ
Can I get a Nepal visa when I arrive at Kathmandu airport?
Many tourists can obtain Visa on Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Eligibility depends on nationality, so check Nepal’s official immigration guidance before traveling.
How much is Nepal’s Visa on Arrival?
The current official fees are USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days and USD 125 for 90 days.
Is there an ATM at Kathmandu airport?
Tribhuvan International Airport lists ATM, banking and money-exchange facilities in the international-arrival area.
Can tourists buy a SIM at Kathmandu airport?
Yes. Ncell states that its Tourist SIM is available at Tribhuvan International Airport. An original passport is required for registration and activation.
Is there an official taxi service at Kathmandu airport?
Yes. The airport operates a prepaid taxi service outside arrivals. Rates are displayed, and passengers pay before the journey.
Should I book my airport transfer in advance?
It is not essential when using the official prepaid taxi counter, but advance pickup is convenient for late-night arrivals, families, groups and travelers carrying substantial luggage.
Should I exchange money before traveling to Nepal?
Carrying some backup cash is sensible, but you can also find ATM and currency-exchange facilities at the airport. Avoid relying on only one card or payment method.
Official sources
- Nepal Department of Immigration — Visa information and Visa on Arrival process: immigration.gov.np
- Nepal Department of Immigration — On-arrival visa application: nepaliport.immigration.gov.np
- Tribhuvan International Airport — Arrival information: tiairport.com.np
- Tribhuvan International Airport — Facilities, prepaid taxis, banking and foreign exchange: tiairport.com.np
- Tribhuvan International Airport — Passenger FAQ: tiairport.com.np
- Ncell — Tourist SIM and eSIM: ncell.com.np