Nepal (NP)

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan nation between India and China, home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks including Mount Everest (8,849m).

Capital: Kathmandu

Region: Asia

Language: Nepali

Currency: NPR (Rs)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 18)

Emergency: 100

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Nepal.

Public Transport Overview

Urban transport is informal and crowded: microbuses, buses, tempos, taxis and ride-hailing dominate. There is no metro. Intercity travel uses buses, tourist buses, domestic flights and private vehicles. Weather, festivals, strikes and road conditions can disrupt every plan.

Main operators:

Sajha YatayatPathaoinDriveYangoBuddha AirYeti AirlinesShree AirlinesNepal AirlinesTourist bus operators

🎫 Transit Passes

Local bus fare Rs 20–50 typical city ride

Kathmandu Valley and local routes

💡 Cash; routes can be hard to read without local help.

Ride-hailing wallet Meter/app fare

Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Pokhara and growing cities

💡 Pathao and inDrive are practical for daily life.

Tourist bus ticket Rs 1,200–3,500+

Kathmandu–Pokhara–Chitwan–Lumbini routes

💡 Book ahead in Dashain/Tihar and peak trekking season.

Taxi & Rideshare

Taxis are common in Kathmandu but meter use is inconsistent. Agree fare or use ride-hailing. Airport taxis cost more than city rides.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

Pathao, inDrive and Yango (launched May 2025) are widely used in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Helmets for bike rides can be poor; carry a mask.

Cycling

Cycling is possible but traffic, dust, dogs, potholes and lack of lanes make commuting risky. Mountain biking is better as recreation.

Intercity Trains

No useful national passenger rail for expats. Limited railway in the Terai does not replace buses or domestic flights.

Driving

Driving is on the left. Foreigners should be cautious: roads are chaotic, licences and IDP rules need checking, night intercity travel is risky and insurance gaps are common. No mandatory winter tyre requirement.

Airports

Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu is the main gateway. Pokhara International and Gautam Buddha International airports handle some regional routes but international schedule availability varies. Mountain weather causes delays.