Nepal travel guide
Most travellers fly to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. Delhi has the strongest direct service at about one hour 40 minutes, and Kolkata takes about 1.5 hours. Mumbai and Bengaluru have direct flights subject to season, while Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad usually connect through Delhi. Schedules change, so confirm operating dates before booking.
Facts checked 2 Nov 2026
Nepal is one of the shortest international trips from India. Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu is the main gateway, and Indian nationals can also enter by land without a visa. This guide covers flight times by city, the airlines, what to check before you fly, and how to move around once you land, including the long road days between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.
Flight times and airlines by departure city, from the published schedule information:
Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport is Nepal's main international gateway and the most practical arrival point for almost every trip. Some itineraries then use domestic flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara, Bharatpur for Chitwan, Lukla for the Everest region, or Jomsom for Muktinath.
Indian nationals do not need a visa for Nepal, by air or by land. By air, carry a valid Indian passport or an Election Commission voter ID. Nepal immigration states that Aadhaar is not accepted as a travel document, and travellers often make the mistake of relying on it. See the Nepal entry guide for Indians.
Taxis wait outside the airport, and the fare to central areas is typically modest but varies, so agree it before you start. App-based rides and metered taxis are useful where available. Our packages include private airport transfers, so your driver meets you on arrival. Heritage-area traffic can slow any ride, so leave extra time.
Tourist buses connect the three, commonly taking six to nine hours. Private cars with a driver are practical for multi-city circuits and give control over stops. Domestic flights save time to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Lukla and Jomsom, but weather-related delays are frequent. Travellers often report that major-road travel is slower than expected, so families and older travellers do well with realistic day plans.
Indian nationals do not need a visa to enter Nepal by land. Overland transfers, especially from border towns to Kathmandu and Pokhara, can consume much of a day. If you plan to enter by land, carry your identity document, allow for slow roads, and build in a rest night.
In cities, travellers use taxis, ride-hailing where available, local buses and tourist shuttles. Travellers also mention apps such as InDrive and Pathao instead of relying only on prearranged transfers. In trekking regions, transport shifts to walking, porters and jeeps on mountain roads, which can be slow in bad weather.
Nepal runs on UTC+05:45, 15 minutes ahead of India. The currency is the Nepalese rupee, and one Indian rupee buys roughly 1.6 Nepalese rupees, although rates change. Carry Nepalese cash, because UPI and Indian cash are accepted inconsistently. English is widely used in tourism. See Nepal trip cost for budgeting notes.
This guide is compiled from published tourism, weather and transport information and traveller reports about Nepal, and was last checked on 2 November 2026. Flight schedules, airlines and road conditions change, so confirm details with your airline and planner before you book.
Choose your dates in best time to visit Nepal, plan your route in places to visit in Nepal, and see things to do in Nepal. Read the Nepal travel guide and browse our Nepal tour packages, or compare with Bhutan.
Ready-made trips
Kathmandu 2N · Pokhara 2N · Kathmandu 1N
Kathmandu 2N · Pokhara 3N · Kathmandu 1N
Kathmandu 2N · Pokhara 2N · Chitwan 2N · Kathmandu 1N
*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
Packages cover stays, transfers, sightseeing and meals as listed. Flights are not included. Prices are per person, excl. GST.
FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about Nepal.
Almost all international visitors use Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. From there, some itineraries add domestic flights to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Lukla or Jomsom. Kathmandu is the most practical arrival point for most trips.
About one hour 40 minutes, direct, on Air India, IndiGo or Nepal Airlines. Delhi has the strongest frequency and is the most reliable connection point from other Indian cities, so many travellers route through it.
Yes, subject to season. Air India and Nepal Airlines serve Mumbai, and Air India serves Bengaluru, but schedules and frequency vary. Verify the operating date before you fix an itinerary, or connect through Delhi.
Carry a valid Indian passport or an Election Commission voter ID. Nepal immigration states that Aadhaar is not accepted as a travel document. For minors, carry an eligible identity document and birth or school documentation as applicable.
Yes. Indian nationals do not need a visa to enter Nepal by land. Overland journeys can take much of a day, so allow time and carry your identity document. Confirm current border and transport details before you travel.
Tourist buses commonly take six to nine hours. Travellers often say it takes longer than expected. A domestic flight is faster, but weather delays are frequent, so keep a buffer day before an international departure.
Preferably. For Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Hyderabad, check that the Delhi connection is protected on a single ticket, and allow a generous window, because the Nepal sector is international. This reduces risk if the first flight runs late.
Yes. Our land-only packages include private arrival and departure transfers. They do not include flights, which you book separately. Share your flight details with your planner so your driver can meet you.
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