Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport (KTM) — The Complete Master Guide 2026
Tribhuvan International Airport — named for King Tribhuvan, the first post-Rana ruler — sits just 6 km from central Kathmandu, making it one of the most layover-friendly capital airports in the region. The airport is Nepal’s principal international gateway with two terminals (International + Domestic) serving ~40 destinations in 17 countries. Nepal operates one of the world’s most generous visa-on-arrival regimes: nearly all nationalities get visa-on-arrival at the desk, paid in cash USD/EUR/major-currency — $30/15 days, $50/30 days, $125/90 days, all multiple-entry by default. NOT Schengen, no EES, no ETIAS. Yellow fever only from risk countries. Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR); $1 ≈ NPR 153 (May 2026). Time zone is the unusual UTC+5:45 — Nepal is one of only a handful of countries with a quarter-hour offset, 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time. Two Priority Pass lounges (Executive Lounge + Horizon Lounge by Soaltee — both landside before security). Layover access to Kathmandu Valley’s 7-component UNESCO World Heritage inscription (Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and three more in Patan/Bhaktapur) is genuinely realistic from a 4-hour layover.
📍 6 km from Kathmandu centre
🚖 Taxi 10-15 min · NPR 700+
🛂 VoA $30-125 cash
⚡ 2026 Quick Reference — Key Facts at a Glance
6 km · 10-15 min by taxi — one of the closest African / Asian capital-airport runs in the region
From NPR 700 (~$4.50) · fares posted on the board inside arrivals
20-30 min · connects international terminal to central Kathmandu + Lalitpur
Nepalese rupee (NPR) — $1 ≈ NPR 153 (May 2026); cash dominant; cards work at upmarket hotels; mobile money (eSewa, Khalti) is domestic-only
NOT Schengen · NO EES · NO ETIAS — Visa-on-arrival for nearly all nationalities
$30 / 15 days · $50 / 30 days · $125 / 90 days; all multiple-entry by default
NPT (UTC+5:45) — 15 minutes ahead of IST; one of the world’s rare quarter-hour offsets
Executive Lounge + Horizon Lounge by Soaltee — both landside (before security)
🏢 1. International + Domestic Terminals & the Carrier Map
Tribhuvan International is the principal aviation gateway for Nepal — and, until very recently, the country’s only operational international airport. Pokhara International Airport (PKR/Pokhara Regional) opened in 2023 and Gautam Buddha International Airport (Bhairahawa, BWA) in Lumbini also opened in 2022, but as of May 2026 both remain lightly served and KTM continues to handle the overwhelming majority of Nepal’s international passenger traffic. The famous approach into Kathmandu — with the Himalayas as the backdrop and the airport ringed by hills — is the most distinctive arrival in commercial aviation north of the Indian subcontinent. The valley is at 1,300 m elevation with surrounding peaks reaching 8,000 m, requiring specialised pilot training for approach.
🛫 International Terminal
Layout: all international flights; visa-on-arrival desks in arrivals; ATMs, exchange counters, and the two Priority Pass lounges are landside before security.
Capacity: the terminal operates at or above design capacity. Peak-time queues and luggage delays are routine.
⭐ Domestic Terminal
Used for: Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Tara Air domestic and Himalayan-region flights including the famous Lukla flight for Everest base-camp trekkers.
Lukla note: the 20-minute flight to Lukla (gateway to Everest base camp) operates only from Manthali (Ramechhap) during peak trekking season due to KTM congestion — verify origin airport before booking.
Operating airlines (2026)
- Nepal Airlines (RA) — national carrier; Gulf + Indian + Southeast Asian routes.
- Qatar Airways — Doha (multiple daily widebody).
- Emirates — Dubai.
- Etihad Airways — Abu Dhabi.
- Turkish Airlines — Istanbul.
- flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air, Saudia — Gulf network.
- IndiGo, Air India — Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata.
- Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia — Southeast Asian / East Asian feed.
- Bhutan Airlines, Druk Air — Paro.
- China Southern — Guangzhou.
- Korean Air — Seoul (seasonal).
- Domestic: Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Shree Airlines, Tara Air — Pokhara, Lukla (via Manthali in peak), Janakpur, Biratnagar, Bharatpur, regional Himalayan strips.
No direct service to North America, Western Europe (outside Turkey via Istanbul connection), the UK or Australia. Connect via Doha (QR), Dubai (EK), Istanbul (TK), or via Delhi (IndiGo / Air India).
🛂 2. Nepal VoA: The Generous Regime & the Banned Countries
Nepal is not Schengen, not in the EU, and operates one of the most accommodating visa-on-arrival regimes in Asia. Nearly all nationalities receive visa-on-arrival at Tribhuvan at the desk, paying cash in USD/EUR/Australian-dollars/UK-pound/other-major-currencies. Three tiers: $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, $125 for 90 days. All tourist visas are multiple-entry by default — exit to India, Tibet, or Bhutan and return to Nepal within the validity without paying again. Tourist visas can be extended for a total of 150 days in one calendar year. EES and ETIAS do not apply. Yellow fever certificate required only from arrivals from a risk country.
Visa-on-Arrival — The Three Tiers
$30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, $125 for 90 days. Pay cash in USD, EUR, AUD, GBP, JPY or other major currencies — no Nepalese rupees accepted at the visa desk. Multiple-entry by default. Bring a passport-sized photo. Process 20-60 min.
Bilateral Special Cases
Indian citizens: no visa needed. Bhutanese and Maldivian: also no visa. Officials from China, Brazil, Russia and Thailand visa-free under reciprocal waivers. Most other nationalities use the standard VoA route.
NPR — Cash Dominant
Currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR / रू). $1 ≈ NPR 153 (May 2026). Cash dominates; Visa/Mastercard work at upmarket hotels (Hyatt, Hilton, Soaltee, Yak & Yeti) and chain restaurants. eSewa and Khalti are Nepal’s mobile money rails but restricted to Nepal-resident users. ATMs at KTM accept foreign Visa/Mastercard with transaction fees.
Who needs what for short visits
| Passport | Visa route at KTM | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA / UK / EU / Canada / Australia / NZ / Japan / South Korea / Singapore | VoA — $30/15d / $50/30d / $125/90d (cash USD/EUR) | $30-125 | Passport 6 months validity + photo + cash |
| India | No visa needed | — | Indian-Nepalese open border |
| Bhutan / Maldives | No visa needed | — | Special bilateral arrangement |
| China / Russia / Brazil / Thailand (officials) | Visa-free under reciprocal waiver | — | Officials only — verify before flying |
| BANNED for VoA: Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria + refugees | NO VoA — embassy visa required | per embassy | Apply at Nepalese embassy ahead |
The Nepal VoA fee must be paid in cash in foreign currency — USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, CAD are all accepted. Nepalese rupees are NOT accepted at the visa desk. Bring crisp clean bills (US$50 or $100 notes work best). Bring a passport-sized photo; the airport has photo booths but the queues are long. Apply 4-6 weeks ahead via the online portal (immigration.gov.np) if you want to skip the airport desk entirely — though the queue is usually manageable.
🚖 3. Pre-Paid Taxi, Sajha Bus & Hotel Transfer
KTM’s proximity to the city is the defining transport feature. The 6 km journey takes 10-15 minutes in light traffic and 30-45 minutes at peak. There is no airport rail link and ride-hailing apps are limited. Three practical options: pre-paid taxi, Sajha Yatayat bus, hotel transfer.
🚖 Pre-Paid Taxi — The Default
- Pre-paid taxi counter inside arrivals — fares posted on a board.
- Fare to central Kathmandu (Thamel / Durbar Marg / Boudhanath): NPR 700-1,500 (~$4.50-10) depending on neighbourhood.
- Pickup point is to the right of the arrival gate.
- Pay at the counter, receive a receipt, then driver number; the driver waits at the pickup point.
- The safer first-time option; eliminates the haggling and the unmarked-taxi scam.
📱 Indrive & Pathao
- Indrive and Pathao operate in Kathmandu with airport pickup zones; Uber is NOT widely available.
- Fare typically NPR 500-1,000 (~$3-7) to central — usually cheaper than the pre-paid taxi.
- Payment by app (international cards work in Indrive; Pathao mostly cash on arrival).
- Install before arrival; verify with a local SIM or hotel Wi-Fi.
🚌 Sajha Yatayat Bus
- Sajha Yatayat operates scheduled buses from the international terminal to central Kathmandu and Lalitpur.
- Fare: NPR 30-50 (~$0.20-0.35) per passenger — by far the cheapest mode.
- Journey time: 20-30 minutes depending on stop.
- Best for budget travellers without large luggage; the bus accommodates the standard backpack.
🏨 Hotel Transfer
- Most Kathmandu hotels (Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, Hotel Yak & Yeti, Soaltee Hotel, Dwarika’s, Hyatt Place Hotel Kathmandu) offer airport pickups at NPR 1,500-4,000 (~$10-25).
- Driver meets in arrivals with placard; useful first arrival; particularly recommended at peak trekking season when the visa-queue + taxi-rank can overlap.
🛋️ 4. Executive Lounge & Horizon Lounge by Soaltee (Landside)
KTM has two Priority Pass lounges, both LANDSIDE — meaning before security and passport control. This is unusual: at most international airports, Priority Pass lounges sit airside, after security. At KTM you can use the lounge before checking in or while waiting for your connection. The two principal options are the Executive Lounge and the Horizon Lounge by Soaltee.
🛋️ Executive Lounge — International Terminal Landside
Location: landside, before security and immigration; around the corner from the check-in area (follow the signs to Departures).
Programmes: Priority Pass, DragonPass, LoungeKey.
Walk-in: approximately USD 20 per visit (verify at door — pricing may vary).
🛋️ Horizon Lounge by Soaltee
Location: landside, international terminal.
Programmes: Priority Pass.
What’s inside: Nepali + Indian + Western buffet (dal-bhat, momos, chicken curry, naan, sandwiches), espresso, tea, soft drinks, limited alcohol availability (Nepal is Hindu-and-Buddhist-majority; most lounges have beer and selected wines). Wi-Fi, work zones. Airside has no dedicated Priority Pass lounge — clear security and you lose lounge access.
🥟 5. Nepali Food: Momos, Dal Bhat, Sel Roti & Newari Khaja
Nepali cuisine sits at the crossroads of Indian, Tibetan, and Newar (Kathmandu Valley indigenous) traditions. The country’s defining dish — dal bhat (rice, lentils, vegetable curry, and pickle) — is the everyday meal across Nepal, eaten with the right hand. The Newar food tradition of the Kathmandu Valley is the most ceremonial layer: complex, indulgent, alcohol-friendly, central to wedding and festival rituals. The airside food at KTM has standard chains; the real Kathmandu eating is at the Thamel-area travellers’ restaurants and the Newari khaja institutions in the old city.
Momos — the Nepali / Tibetan dumpling — is Kathmandu’s most-eaten street food. Steamed, fried, or in jhol (soup). Fillings: buffalo (the most authentic), chicken, vegetable, pork, paneer. Bota Momo (Boudhanath area), Yangling Tibetan (Thamel), Himalayan Java (Patan) are the recurring favourites. NPR 100-300 per plate of 10 (~$0.70-2).
Dal bhat (“daal-bhaat”) — rice + lentil soup + vegetable curry + pickle — is the textbook Nepali meal, served twice a day across the country. The “dal bhat power, 24 hour” trekking slogan reflects its caloric profile. Most Nepali restaurants offer unlimited refills. NPR 250-500.
Newari khaja — the formal Newar tasting menu of the Kathmandu Valley indigenous people — is the city’s most distinctive food experience. Beaten-rice (chiura), buffalo (chhwela, kachila), egg in mustard oil (haku tuyu), pickled vegetables, soybean fry, and ayla (rice spirit). Yomari Punhi (winter), Mha Puja (Newar New Year) are the festival seasons. Bhanchha Ghar (Kamaladi), Honacha (Patan Durbar Square), Sasa (Boudhanath) are the classic addresses. NPR 500-1,500 per person.
Sel roti — sweet rice-flour doughnut deep-fried in ghee — is the Nepali festival snack. Bara — savoury lentil pancake — is the Newar breakfast staple. Both at any market stall or chaat shop for NPR 30-80. Pair with chiya (Nepali sweet milk tea).
Duty-Free & Souvenirs — What’s Worth Buying
🧣 Pashmina Shawls
Nepal is a major producer of pashmina (cashmere) shawls from Himalayan goats. Tourist-grade pieces from NPR 1,500-5,000; serious quality (100% pashmina with silk blend) NPR 8,000-25,000+. Thamel shops have the volume; verify by burn test or trusted dealers.
🕉️ Thangka Paintings
Thangka — Tibetan Buddhist scroll paintings — are made in Nepal’s Newar tradition. The serious pieces (with natural pigments, gold leaf) NPR 8,000-50,000+; tourist-quality NPR 1,500-5,000. The painting masters’ shops at Boudhanath are the authoritative source.
🪨 Singing Bowls & Tibetan Bronze
Singing bowls — bronze Himalayan meditation bowls — and Tibetan-tradition statues from Buddhist Nepal. Small bowls NPR 1,500-5,000; museum-quality NPR 15,000-150,000+.
🍵 Nepali Tea & Honey
Ilam tea from eastern Nepal, mad honey from cliff-side bees (a specific psychoactive variant used traditionally), and chiya masala (milk-tea spice blend). NPR 300-2,500 per pack. Distinctive, transportable.
💡 6. Insider: Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath & Durbar Square
The Boudhanath Stupa — the largest stupa in Nepal at 38 m tall and 100 m circumference — is the holiest Tibetan Buddhist site outside Tibet. The all-seeing Buddha eyes painted on each side of the gilded square base look out in all four cardinal directions. The circular base is encircled by monasteries, thangka shops, and the constant kora — the ritual clockwise circumambulation by monks and pilgrims, especially at dusk when the butter lamps are lit. Just 6 km from the airport (15 min by taxi) — making Boudhanath the single most accessible UNESCO World Heritage visit from a KTM layover. Entry NPR 400 foreigners (free for Nepalis and Indians).
Swayambhunath — the “self-existent” stupa — sits on a hill west of Kathmandu, dating to at least the 5th century CE. The 365 stone steps up to the white dome are the iconic approach. The site is sacred to both Tibetan Buddhists and Newari Hindus, with monkey troops considered sacred to the local Buddhists. The dome is topped with the same all-seeing Buddha eyes, and surrounded by smaller shrines, prayer wheels and the Hariti Devi temple. 5 km from KTM (20 min taxi). Entry NPR 200 foreigners.
Pashupatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River is the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Pashupati (Lord of Animals). The site has been a pilgrimage destination since at least the 5th century. The inner sanctum is restricted to Hindu pilgrims; foreign visitors can enter the surrounding complex and watch the open-air cremations on the ghats by the river. The cremation grounds are deeply confronting — Pashupatinath is not for the casual sightseer. Entry NPR 1,000 foreigners. 4 km from KTM (15 min taxi).
The Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka) is the historic royal palace plaza at the heart of old Kathmandu — temples, courtyards, the Kumari Ghar (residence of the living-goddess Kumari) and the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex. Significantly damaged in the April 2015 earthquake; reconstruction has been ongoing and many of the major temples are now restored. Entry NPR 1,000 foreigners. The two sister Durbar Squares — Patan and Bhaktapur — are within an hour’s drive and individually rival or exceed Kathmandu’s central square.
Thamel: the backpacker / trekker district, dense with budget hotels, restaurants, gear shops. NPR 1,000-5,000. Boudhanath: closest UNESCO area to the airport; Hyatt Regency Kathmandu (premium, 2 km from airport) and Hyatt Place are here. NPR 12,000-25,000. Dwarika’s Hotel (Battisputali) is the city’s heritage luxury — Newar-era reconstructed mansions, NPR 25,000-60,000. For very early flights, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu or Hyatt Place are the practical choice given proximity.
Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC) are the two Nepali operators. SIMs at airport landside or in Thamel for NPR 200-1,000 with passport + visa registration; data bundles NPR 200-1,500. 4G works in Kathmandu Valley and the major Himalayan trekking towns; reliable mobile is more limited above 3,000 m. 5G has not deployed. Western apps (Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) work normally. eSewa + Khalti mobile money are domestic-only.
The 6 km airport-to-Boudhanath proximity makes KTM unusually layover-friendly.
4-hour layover: taxi to Boudhanath Stupa (15 min each way), 90 min on-site, dal-bhat or momo lunch at a stupa-side café. Workable.
6-hour layover: add Pashupatinath (4 km from Boudhanath) — both visits in one trip.
12+ hour layover: the full Kathmandu UNESCO loop — Boudhanath + Pashupatinath + Swayambhunath + Kathmandu Durbar Square + Newari khaja lunch. Allow 60 min return-buffer. Pre-arranged visa (eVisa) saves time.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📊 2026 Summary Data Table
| Feature | Current Data (2026) |
|---|---|
| IATA / ICAO | KTM / VNKT |
| Official name | Tribhuvan International Airport (त्रिभुवन अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थल) |
| Distance to Kathmandu | 6 km — taxi 10-15 min, Sajha bus 20-30 min |
| Terminals | International + Domestic; ~5-10 min walk between |
| Elevation | Kathmandu Valley: 1,300 m above sea level |
| Currency / Border / EES | Nepalese rupee (NPR), $1 ≈ NPR 153 / Not Schengen / EES + ETIAS not applicable |
| Visa system | Generous VoA — $30/15d, $50/30d, $125/90d, multiple-entry — cash USD/EUR/AUD/GBP/JPY; banned list of 12 countries needs embassy visa |
| Pre-paid taxi | From NPR 700 (~$4.50) to central Kathmandu; rates posted at counter |
| Indrive / Pathao | NPR 500-1,000 — Uber not widely available; install + verify before arrival |
| Sajha Yatayat bus | NPR 30-50, 20-30 min — cheapest mode to Kathmandu + Lalitpur |
| Lounges (Priority Pass) | LANDSIDE only: Executive Lounge (walk-in ~USD 20) + Horizon Lounge by Soaltee — clear security and lose access |
| National carrier | Nepal Airlines (RA); Buddha Air + Yeti + Saurya + Shree + Tara domestic |
| Major international | Qatar (DOH), Emirates (DXB), Etihad (AUH), Turkish (IST), IndiGo + Air India (Indian network), Cathay (HK), Singapore Airlines, Thai, Malaysia Airlines, Druk Air (Paro) |
| Long-haul direct | None to North America / Western Europe / UK / Australia — connect via DOH, DXB, IST, DEL |
| Time zone | NPT (UTC+5:45) year-round — one of the world’s rare quarter-hour offsets; 15 min ahead of IST |
| Layover hooks | Boudhanath Stupa (largest in Nepal); Pashupatinath (Hindu); Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple); Kathmandu Durbar Square — all within 6-7 km of KTM |
| Mobile | Ncell + Nepal Telecom (NTC); NPR 200-1,000 SIM; 4G in Kathmandu Valley + major towns; eSewa/Khalti domestic-only mobile money |
