Alternative Flights to Nepal without Transiting Through the Middle East
I was on a long Christmas/winter break in Budapest with plans to fly back to Nepal on 28 February. I usually fly to Nepal with Qatar Airways via Doha – it’s been my go-to airline for years.
I was preparing to take my flight as usual when I heard news of the conflict escalating in the Middle East. Ultimately, my flight was cancelled and I had to stay in Budapest. I spent the following days checking other flight routes to Nepal.
This post is mostly about alternative flight routes from European destinations to Nepal that don’t go through the Middle East. Some of the airport hubs in Asia like Bangkok or Singapore can also be a good alternative for people traveling to Nepal from outside of Europe.
Most airlines that don’t have hubs in the Middle East have been able to reroute their flight routes. I decided to book a new flight with Turkish Airways as it has a quick connection to Kathmandu via Istanbul.
💡 Please note that airspace closures and airline schedules can change rapidly as the situation remains uncertain. This post reflects possible flight options to Nepal as of 6 March 2026, and will be updated if the situation changes.
Flight Options for Getting to Nepal
On the day (28 February) my Qatar Airways flight was cancelled, I was somehow optimistic to think that in a day or two, I may still get to travel to Nepal with Qatar Airways.
Soon, by the next day, I understood it won’t be an option and started looking at other possible ways to fly to Nepal.
For flying from Europe to Nepal, the best options are either with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, or European airlines (KLM, Lufthansa, FinnAir) via Delhi. Other options also include Thai Airways via Bangkok, or Singaporean Airways via Singapore.
Key Airport Hubs outside the Middle East
When looking for alternative flights to Nepal, the key is to look for a flight that doesn’t have an airport hub in the Middle East. These airlines are able to re-route their flights. It may make the flight a bit longer but you can fly to Nepal on an alternative route bypassing the Middle East.
Alternative Airlines to Get to Nepal:
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (Turkey)
- KLM via Delhi (India)
- Lufthansa – via Delhi (India)
- Thai Airways – via Bangkok (Thailand)
- Singapore Airlines – via Singapore (Singapore)
Flights to Nepal without Transiting through the Middle East
Option 1: Via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
Flying to Nepal via Istanbul is one of the best options from Europe. Turkish Airlines have flights from many European cities to Istanbul, and then in Istanbul you can change to the next flight to Kathmandu.
For me, this option worked out the best, as there is a flight from Budapest to Istanbul, and then to Kathmandu. For travelers based in other cities, it may be easier to fly via Delhi and not Istanbul, but Istanbul is definitely an option.
Before booking the flight, I contacted Turkish Airlines and got the confirmation that the flights from Istanbul to Kathmandu are operating. It may change, but as of now, it is a good alternative to get to Nepal.
The prices are increasingly going up, with the economy seats being completely sold out on upcoming flights, leaving only business class seats for around EUR 2,000! I managed to get a “cheaper ticket” before the economy seats started to sell out, but if you are set to go to Nepal, it is better to buy the ticket as soon as possible because the ticket prices will just keep increasing.
Option 2: Via Delhi (KLM/Lufthansa/FinnAir/Air France)
Another one of the best options to get to Kathmandu is via Delhi. Around 10 years ago when I first started visiting Nepal regularly; I always flew to Kathmandu via Delhi. So, when my flight via Qatar was cancelled, I immediately thought of flying via Delhi.
This route is best for travelers who are based or can get to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, or Helsinki easier. From these cities, there are direct flights to Delhi, and then you change to your connecting flight to Kathmandu.
I decided not to fly via Delhi only because this time, I am flying from Budapest and then, I would have had to change twice. (With Turkish Airlines I only have to change once in Istanbul). If I was now closer to Amsterdam or Frankfurt, I would definitely fly via Delhi.
Some of the major flights operating via Delhi:
Option 3: Via Bangkok (Thai Airways)
Another option is to fly to Nepal via Bangkok with Thai Airways. If you are based in Europe, it is a longer route to fly to Kathmandu via Bangkok than via Istanbul or Delhi, but this is also a viable option to get to Nepal.
If you are planning to visit Nepal from outside of Europe, then Bangkok could be a good option.
The ticket prices are going up extremely for all airlines, so it is worth comparing the routes and ticket prices.
Options on this route include flights departing from London and Frankfurt to Kathmandu via Bangkok.
Option 4: Via Singapore (Singapore Airlines)
There is also an option to fly to Kathmandu via Singapore with Singapore Airlines. This option is similar to the previous option as if you were flying via Bangkok.
If you fly from Europe to Nepal via Singapore, then your flight time will be longer. So, this is only a good option in case you can get some tickets for a good price.
Some options on this route are London Gatwick to Singapore to Kathmandu, and Frankfurt to Singapore to Kathmandu. With the limited flight options, and increasing prices, this route is definitely worth checking.
The Reality of Booking Flights Right Now
The flight ticket prices are just through the roof right now. I managed to get a ticket at a normal price just because I bought my new ticket before everyone started re-booking their flights to a new date.
The ticket prices are going up so much that it’s a good deal if you can find a ticket below USD 1,000 one-way. This situation puts a lot of us in a position where we seriously have to reconsider our travel plans.
My original ticket with Qatar Airways is supposed to be refunded in full. I managed to get through to them on the phone after a couple of days, and they said it will be refunded without any fees (let’s see).
Tips for Booking Flights Now
Confirm with Airline that Flights are Operating
Whichever flight you book, make sure to confirm with the airline that the flight is operating. Some airlines are still selling flight tickets through the Middle East when there is no way that flight could actually go on.
It’s easier to get in contact with airlines that are not based in the Middle East as their operations/staff are not that overwhelmed. Before I got my new ticket with Turkish Airlines, I could get through to an agent online within 10 minutes to confirm that my flight via Istanbul is operating.
Do Your Own Research
It’s also good to do your own research on flight routes and possible delays, cancellations. FlightRadar24 is one platform where you can track flight routes. On each airlines’ website, you can track flight departures.
I also use my departure city’s airport, transit city’s airport, and arrival city’s airport to track flight delays and cancellations.
Airlines to Avoid Booking Now
As much as I have liked traveling with Qatar Airways in the last few years, it is now completely out of the question. Other airlines with a hub in the Middle East, such as Etihad and Emirates are not an option either.
High Risk of Flight Cancellations at an Uncertain Time
Even if a flight is now scheduled to depart, the situation still remains uncertain and there may be further cancellations or delays. It is good to consider all the risks before booking a new flight.
My Final Advice on Booking a Flight to Nepal
The situation remains uncertain but the current flight routes via Istanbul, Delhi, Bangkok and Singapore remain some of the best options to fly to Nepal right now.
From Europe, the best is to fly via Delhi or Istanbul as those routes are shorter than flying via Bangkok or Singapore, but all are a good option depending on your departure city.
Before booking the flight, double check with the airline that the flight is operating – keeping in mind that the flight may be operating now but could be cancelled if the conflict further escalates.
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