Is Nepal Safe to Visit (2024)?

ARE YOU WONDERING “IS NEPAL SAFE TO VISIT”?

I live in Nepal and Nepal is generally a safe and peaceful country where travellers feel save, including solo female travellers, families and expats.

The current US State Department travel advisory for Nepal is Level 2, which means to exercise increased precautions.

Nepal is safe and crime targeting foreigners is low. However, you should still watch out for your belongings if you are in crowded places, such as bars or public transport.

Taking taxis in Kathmandu is also safe but if you take a taxi at night, it is good if you can travel together with friends, or make sure your friends are there when you get into the taxi.

So, here is everything you need to know about safety in Nepal!

Is Nepal Safe to Visit?

Is There a U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Nepal Right Now?

The U.S. State Department has 4 levels of Travel Advisory:

• Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
• Level 2: Exercise Increased Precautions (for Nepal)
• Level 3: Reconsider Travel
• Level 4: Do Not Travel

The current travel advisory is at Level 2 for Nepal, which means to exercise increased precautions. It includes to avoid demonstrations that may happen. Nepal is a peaceful country but foreigners by law cannot participate in protests in Nepal, so make sure to avoid protests for safety.

Is Nepal a Safe Country?

Nepal is generally a safe country but you should remain cautious and exercise normal precautions. You should look after your belongings and valuables in crowded places.

Safety Tips for Nepal

• Look after your belongings and valuables in bars, public transport and any other crowded places. Crime rates against foreigners is low in Nepal but pickpocketing can still happen.
• Carry a copy of your passport during the day and keep your original passport in your hotel
• Register your travel at your embassy: Before starting your trip, it is always good practice to register your trip at your embassy. Nepal is a peaceful country but it is always good to be on the safe side.
• Save the contact details of your Embassy/Consulate in Kathmandu, so in case you need assistance, you can reach out to them straight away.
• Get a travel insurance so in case any of your items gets lost/stolen or if you need medical assistance, then your travel insurance will get you covered.

Is Nepal Safe for Travellers Right Now?

Is Nepal Safe for Tourists?

Yes, Nepal is safe for tourists. Nepal is a peaceful country and is a safe place for foreign tourists.

Is Nepal Safe to Travel Alone?

Yes, Nepal is safe to travel alone. Nepal is a safe country for solo travellers however, you should still remain cautious and look after your belongings and valuables.

Is Nepal Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Yes, Nepal is safe for solo female travellers. The crime rates against foreigners is low and women travellers in Nepal can feel safe. You should still remain cautious, for example, watch out for your belongings in crowded places.

Is Bus Travel in Nepal Safe?

The roads in Nepal are dangerous due to road safety. When travelling in Nepal by bus, the safest option is to book a tourist bus. The tourist buses are generally more comfortable than local buses and also have better safety records.

There are also day and night buses. The day buses are safer, however, if you want to save time, the night buses are also an option.

If you are travelling in Nepal during monsoon season, it is better to take the day buses. There can be landslides on the roads during monsoon and it is safer to drive during the day.

Is Nepal Safe for Expats?

Yes, Nepal is safe for foreigners who are living or planning to move to Nepal. Nepal is a peaceful country and foreigners feel safe in Nepal. You should still exercise normal pre-cautions and look out for your belongings when out in crowded places.

Some of the safest places where most expats in Kathmandu live are in Patan, Baluwatar and Lazimpat. Most of the INGOs and embassies are in those locations and they also have nice restaurants and bars.

Is Street Food in Nepal Safe?

If it’s your first time in Nepal, it is good to be careful of where you eat. If you eat street food, it is best to eat at vendors that are popular among the local people. The popular street food vendors that have long queues are usually the good ones and have fresh food available.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Nepal?

No, you cannot drink the tap water in Nepal. The tap water is unsafe for drinking in Nepal. It is not only foreign tourists that should not drink the tap water in Nepal, even Nepali people who were born and raised in Nepal do not drink the tap water.

Is Kathmandu Safe to Visit?

Yes, Kathmandu is safe to visit for travellers but you should still remain cautious and exercise normal precautions.

Is Kathmandu Safe at Night?

Kathmandu is generally safe but you should remain cautious at night.

Most tourists stay in the Thamel area in Kathmandu which has many bars, restaurants and hotels. If you go out in Thamel at night, it is safe to walk back to your hotel within Thamel.

If you have to take a taxi to get home late night, it is good if you travel with friends or make sure your friends are there when you get into the taxi that take you home. Taking a taxi in Nepal is safe but it is better to remain cautious late night.

Are Taxis Safe in Kathmandu?

Yes, taxis are safe in Kathmandu, however, if you hail a regular taxi, the drivers might try to overcharge you. If you hail a taxi, make sure that the driver goes on the meter.

There are also taxi apps in Nepal that are easy and great to use. They have a fixed price so you will not have to negotiate the price or be overcharged for a trip. Two of the best taxi apps in Kathmandu are Pathao and InDrive and they work just like Uber.

If you have to take a taxi at night it is good if you can travel together with friends, or make sure your friends are there when you get into the taxi.

Is Public Transport Safe in Kathmandu?

Public transport is safe in Kathmandu however, they can get very crowded so you should watch out for your belongings.

Using the public transport in Kathmandu is best for those living or staying long-term in Kathmandu. If you are only travelling in Nepal for a few weeks, the public transport will seem chaotic. If you are in Kathmandu for a short time, it is better to get around using the local taxi apps.

Safest Places to Stay in Kathmandu

The safest places to stay in Kathmandu are Baluwatar, Lazimpat and Thamel in the north of Kathmandu, and Patan in the south.

• Thamel: Thamel is where most tourists stay. It has many hotels, restaurants, bars, and trekking shops, and is close to many tourist attractions. As it is mostly for foreign tourists, it is a safe place to stay.

• Lazimpat: Lazimpat is in the north side of Kathmandu and has many INGOS and embassies located there. Many expats live in Lazimpat and there are many nice cafes and restaurants in the areas.

• Baluwatar: Baluwatar is in the north side of Kathmandu and similarly to Lazimpat, there are also many expats who live in Baluwatar as there are many embassies and INGOs there. Baluwatar also has nice restaurants, bars and cafes, and it is one of the safest areas in Kathmandu.

• Patan: Patan is located south of Kathmandu in the Lalitpur District. Lots of INGOs are located in Patan and Lalitpur is generally safer and cleaner than most of Kathmandu. Some of the best and safest places in Lalitpur are Patan and Jhamsikhel.

How to Avoid Scams in Nepal

There are not that many scams targeting foreigners visiting Nepal but it is good to remain cautious. Most of the time, foreigners have to deal with possibly being overcharged in shops or by taxi drivers. In most of the places, prices are not fixed, so you will have to bargain.

The “I just want to practice my English” Scam

There is a scam that targets tourists near Thamel and it is about young guys coming up to foreigners starting to talk to you and saying that they just want to practice their English. Then, during the conversation they will try to take you to a shop where they will try to pressure you into buying things.

If you are walking just south of Thamel (on the way to the Kathmandu Durbar Square) and people come up to you, complimenting your sunglasses or telling you they want to practice their English, just politely walk away.

Pickpockets

Pickpocketing is one of the petty crimes that can happen in any place in the world and it is the same in Nepal. Make sure to watch out for your belongings in crowded places, such as bars or public transport.

Taxis

If you hail a regular taxi, many taxi drivers will not go on the meter or when you are about to pay, say that they don’t have change.

The best thing to do is to order taxis through Pathao or InDrive (they are taxi apps in Nepal that work just like Uber). The prices are fixed and you don’t have to bargain for a fair price.

It is best to have the exact amount of change for the taxi fare. Sometimes taxi drivers really don’t have the change, other times, some drivers might pretend that they don’t have it. Just be one step ahead, and have the exact change with you for the fare.

Hotels in Kathmandu

Here are 3 of my top hotel recommendations for every budget:

FAQs: Is Nepal Safe?

How safe is Nepal for tourists?

Nepal is safe for tourists, including solo female travellers, families and expats. There are not many scams in Nepal, but travellers in Nepal should remain cautious of petty crimes, such as pickpocketing.

Is Nepal safe for women?

Yes, Nepal is safe for women, including solo female travellers. Travellers in Nepal should still remain cautious and exercise normal precautions.

Can Americans go to Nepal?

Yes, Nepal is safe for American tourists. Nepal is generally a safe and peaceful country and all nationalities can safely visit Nepal.

Conclusion

Nepal is generally a safe and peaceful country where travellers feel save, including solo female travellers, families and expats.

The current US State Department travel advisory for Nepal is Level 2, which means to exercise increased precautions.

Nepal is safe and crime targeting foreigners is low. However, you should still watch out for your belongings if you are in crowded places, such as bars or public transport.

Taking taxis is safe in Kathmandu but if you take a taxi at night, it is good if you can travel together with friends, or make sure your friends are there when you get into the taxi.