Flights to Nepal

Before booking your flight to Nepal

Check five things before paying:

• your passport validity and Nepal entry requirements;
• whether your itinerary is on one ticket or separate tickets;
• checked and cabin baggage allowances;
• transit visa requirements for connecting countries; and
• the change and cancellation conditions of your fare.

If trekking equipment is part of your journey, check airline rules before booking rather than assuming all sporting or oversized baggage is included.

Which airport should you fly to?

Airlines flying to Nepal

Nepal is connected with a range of Asian and Middle Eastern hubs. Current scheduled operators include Nepalese and international airlines serving Kathmandu from regional cities.

Instead of choosing an airline only by headline fare, compare:

Total travel time : A cheaper itinerary can add many hours.

Connection quality : Very short connections can be stressful; very long ones can require an overnight transit.

Baggage : Particularly important for trekkers.

Ticket flexibility : Useful when mountain weather or domestic flights affect your onward plan.

Arrival time : A daytime arrival can make the first transfer easier.

Direct flight or connecting flight?

Choose a direct flight when the price difference is reasonable and it reduces travel risk.

A connecting itinerary can make sense when:

• no non-stop route serves your origin;
• it produces a substantially better fare;
• you want a stopover; or
• the connection is through an airport with strong Nepal services.

If you are using separate tickets, allow significantly more connection time. Your second airline may have no obligation to rebook you if the first flight is delayed.

When should you book flights to Nepal?

For popular autumn and spring travel periods, start watching fares early.

Demand can rise around:

• October–November trekking season;
• March–April trekking season;
• major Nepal festivals;
• school and university holiday periods; and
• Christmas/New Year travel.

There is no single cheapest booking day that works for every route. Compare the same itinerary across several dates and pay attention to fare conditions.

Arriving in Kathmandu

After landing, most international visitors will move through immigration, baggage claim and customs before continuing into Kathmandu.

If you are eligible for Nepal’s tourist visa on arrival, prepare the required visa process before joining the immigration queue.

Do not schedule a tight onward mountain connection immediately after an international arrival. Immigration, baggage and domestic-flight disruption can all add uncertainty.

Connecting to Pokhara, Chitwan or trekking gateways

From Kathmandu you can continue by:

• domestic flight;
• private vehicle;
• tourist bus;
• local bus; or
• a pre-arranged transfer.

Which option makes sense depends on destination, budget, weather and the amount of time available.

For mountain flights, build flexibility into the itinerary.

Common flight-booking mistakes

Need help matching flights to your Nepal itinerary?

Check how your arrival time fits onward transport and your first night’s accommodation. Allow a buffer between a domestic connection or trek and your international flight.

FAQs