Kathmandu

Temples, chaos and Himalayan magic

Kathmandu stands as Nepal’s political and cultural hub where ancient traditions meet modern life. The city centers on Durbar Square, home to palaces once ruled by kings. Boudhanath Stupa rises above the skyline with its white dome marking a key Buddhist site. Pashupatinath Temple draws visitors seeking spiritual meaning near the sacred Bagmati River. Streets buzz with markets selling spices and handmade crafts alongside cafes serving local tea. Monuments reflect centuries of artistry while daily life continues through bustling lanes filled with motorbikes and chatter.

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City in Nepal

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.9

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	1
Tap water:	1

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas, especially among younger people and those in the travel industry. Most signage is bilingual. Communication is easy for tourists in central districts.

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Last update: 26 Oct 2026

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Kathmandu Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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World-class for temples and Himalayan culture. Visit ancient stupas and shrines, explore bustling markets and start trekking journeys toward the Himalayas.

Place score

6.9

Best at:

Religious sites

Traditional culture

Historic sites

Crafts shopping

Festivals

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

🥗 9

Vegetarian

👩 8

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Nepal – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D Type C: Type D: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Nepalese Rupee (NPR) £1 ≈ NPR 202.52
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Nepal, particularly in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Credit cards are accepted in many larger establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Nepal, with 10% being the usual amount in restaurants. Taxis and hotel staff appreciate small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not generally allowed in Nepal, and alcohol should be consumed in licensed venues.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, though many places have non-smoking zones.

Dashain (September-October)	The biggest Hindu festival in Nepal
Tihar (October-November)	A celebration of lights, similar to Diwali

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 100 (Police), 102 (Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Pathao
Other:	Nepal is famous for its cultural heritage and natural beauty, including the Himalayas and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Kathmandu, Nepal

☀️

Jan

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Feb

☀️

Mar

🔥

Apr

🌦️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

☀️

Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Oct. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	May, Sep.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Main trekking seasons are pre-monsoon March to May and post-monsoon October to November, when mountain visibility is best

Monsoon June to September brings landslide risk and disrupts mountain flights and roads

Dashain and Tihar, Nepal's biggest festivals, fall in September or October and shift dates yearly

Don't miss

🐒 Climb 365 steps to the iconic Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
🕉️ Visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of Asia’s largest stupas
🏰 Explore ancient palaces in Kathmandu Durbar Square
🕯️ Witness sacred Hindu rituals at Pashupatinath Temple
🛍️ Stroll the vibrant streets and shops of Thamel neighborhood
🌳 Relax in the serene Garden of Dreams oasis in Kathmandu

You've been here?

Why travel to Kathmandu?

Kathmandu is a dream for history lovers, spiritual seekers and trekkers alike. Wander UNESCO-listed Durbar Squares filled with palaces, pagodas and centuries-old carvings or lose yourself in the alleys of Thamel, the city’s colorful backpacker hub. Visit sacred sites like Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa, where Hindu and Buddhist rituals unfold daily. The city is also the launchpad for Himalayan adventures, but even if you never leave the valley, Kathmandu’s mix of chaos, culture and kindness is unforgettable. Downsides? Expect pollution, traffic and power cuts and be ready for uneven pavements and unpredictable weather. Petty theft can happen in busy areas and the city’s infrastructure can be rough around the edges, but the warmth of the people and the sheer vibrancy of Kathmandu make it a must-see.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Boudhanāth Stupa
2 Garden of Dreams
3 Narayanhiti Palace Museum
4 Basantapur Durbar Square
5 Kopan Monastery
6 Bhaktapur Durbar Square
7 Patan Durbar Square
8 Swayambhunath
9 Pashupatinath Temple

🎡Places for activities

1 Durbar Square

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Kathmandu Valley
2 Nagarkot
3 Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
4 Taudaha Lake
5 Chandragiri Hills Liquors
6 Bagmati
7 Rani Pokhari

🛍️Shopping

1 Socialtours Hub
2 Pottery Square
3 Indra Chowk
4 Jhochhen Tol

🎈Events

Indra Jatra Festival
Dashain Festival
Tihar (Festival of Lights)
Holi (Festival of Colors)
Buddha Jayanti
Maha Shivaratri
Ghode Jatra
New Year (Nepali and Gregorian)
Rato Machhindranath Jatra
Bisket Jatra

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Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Wear a mask – dust and traffic fumes can be intense.
Carry small cash for temple fees, taxis and everyday purchases around Thamel.
Visit Swayambhunath near sunset; expect steep steps and cheeky monkeys.
Build in a “buffer day” here – treks, flights and buses often shift with weather and strikes.

How to travel to Kathmandu

Kathmandu is served by Tribhuvan International Airport, with direct flights from major Asian hubs (Delhi, Bangkok, Dubai, Doha, Singapore, etc.). Most long‑haul travelers connect via these cities. The airport is about 6 km from the city center. Tourist buses connect Kathmandu to Pokhara, Chitwan and other destinations. Road conditions can be rough and travel times are often longer than expected due to traffic and weather.

Access summary

From Tribhuvan Int’l Airport (KTM): taxi or transfer, about 20–30 minutes.
From Delhi: frequent direct flights, usually around 1.5–2 hours.
From Pokhara: domestic flights about 25–30 minutes; tourist buses 6–8 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Kathmandu

Kathmandu has everything from budget hostels and guesthouses in Thamel to boutique hotels and luxury stays in Lazimpat and Boudha. Most accommodations are centrally located and offer easy access to major sights. Book ahead during festival seasons (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr). Power cuts and patchy WiFi are common, so check reviews for reliability.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Shanker-Palatial Heritage Kathmandu

8.4

Ambassador Garden Home

8.7

Club Himalaya, by ACE Hotels Nagarkot

8.6

Dom Himalaya Hotel

8.9

Hotel Mystic Mountain

9.0

Royal Penguin Boutique Hotel & Spa

7.9

Avataar Kathmandu Hotel

Kantipur Temple House

8.6

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Kathmandu

Kathmandu’s main sights are best explored on foot or by rickshaw in the central areas, but expect uneven pavements and crowded streets. Microbuses, Tempos (shared three-wheelers) and local buses are cheap and cover most of the city, though they can be confusing and crowded. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely available and affordable for longer trips. Traffic is chaotic and slow, so allow extra time for journeys. For trips to Patan, Bhaktapur or the outskirts, buses and taxis are the best options.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-68 %

Daily expenses in Kathmandu are around 68% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to NPR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£14	£44	£151
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£3	£21	£72
🍝 Food per day	£10	£19	£61
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£4	£18

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£6.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£1.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.10
☕ Cappuccino	£1.30
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.90

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.16
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£2.40
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£16
🤧 Cold medication	£0.90
💇 Basic haircut	£1.90

Safety information overview

General safety

Kathmandu is generally safe, with low violent crime. Petty theft and scams can occur in busy areas and markets, especially in Thamel. Traffic and pollution are bigger hazards than crime — cross roads carefully and keep valuables secure.

Health & Medical

Medical care is basic but improving, with international clinics in the city. Air pollution and dust can affect sensitive travelers. Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled or filtered water. Bring required medications and check vaccine recommendations.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and restaurants are accessible, but uneven pavements, steps and narrow alleys make mobility challenging. Public transport is crowded and not always accessible. Check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe for drinking. Bottled or filtered water is widely available and essential for hydration. Avoid ice and raw foods washed in tap water.