How to Get from the Airport in Kathmandu to Thamel (2024)
Are you looking for information on how to get from the Airport in Kathmandu to Thamel?
You’ve come to the right place! I have been visiting and periodically living in Nepal since 2015, and it is very easy to get a taxi at the Kathmandu Airport.
Thamel is 5.5 km from the Kathmandu Airport (officially called as the Tribhuvan International Airport). There are many taxis at the airport, so you can easily get one to take you to your accommodation.
To get a taxi at the Kathmandu airport, you can either book one at the ‘pre-paid taxi booth’, get one at the parking lot of the airport, or walk outside of the airport to the Ring Road and get a taxi there.
The taxis booked through taxi apps like Pathao are the cheapest at Rs. 500-600. The pre-paid taxis are around Rs. 1,000, while the taxi drivers in the parking lot of the Kathmandu Airport charge up to Rs. 2,000.
Kathmandu Airport to Thamel Distance
Thamel is about 5.5 km from the Kathmandu Airport and it takes 15-20 minutes to get from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel.
In the peak hour, the traffic can get very busy in Kathmandu but generally, the trip should not take more than 20 minutes.
Kathmandu Airport to Thamel Taxi Price
The price of taxi from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel depends on which type of taxi you book:
If you book a taxi through one of the taxi apps (Pathao, InDrive), then the price is around Rs. 500-600.
If you book a taxi inside the airport at the ‘Pre-paid taxi booth’, then the price of taxi is Rs. 1,000.
There are also many taxis in the parking lot of the Kathmandu Airport. The prices are usually the highest here and taxi drivers could ask up to Rs. 2,000 to take you to Thamel. If you take a taxi from here, you can try to negotiate the price as much as you can.
How to Get from the Airport in Kathmandu to Thamel
Pre-paid Taxi at the Kathmandu Airport
There are pre-paid taxi booths inside the airport. You will see them after you collect your luggage and start your way outside the airport.
The people working at the taxi booths usually also ask people passing by if they need a taxi, so you will not miss it for sure.
If you book a taxi at the pre-paid taxi booth, the price of the taxi is around Rs. 1,000 from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel.
Taxi Apps
There is no Uber in Nepal but there are other similar taxi apps that you can use in Nepal. Check out the best taxi apps Pathao and InDrive in Kathmandu.
💡 You need to have a Nepali SIM to book taxis on the app but you can also get a SIM card at the Kathmandu Airport. Here is my guide to getting a SIM card in Nepal (including prices and data packs).
The price of the taxi is Rs. 500-600 if you book it through a taxi app like Pathao.
💡 The taxis booked through taxi apps are not allowed inside the Kathmandu Airport area so you will have to walk outside of the airport and book a taxi there. Walk outside to the ‘Ring Road’ and set that as your pick-up location.
Taxis at the Airport Parking Lot
Getting a taxi at the parking lot is one of your last chance if you didn’t book a taxi at the ‘pre-paid taxi booths’ or if you are not planning on taking a taxi through a taxi app.
For this reason, the taxi drivers in the parking lot are usually quoting the highest taxi fares to take you to Thamel. Sometimes, they even ask for up to Rs. 2,000.
The fair price from Kathmandu Airport to Thamel is Rs. 500-600, so you can try to negotiate the price as much as you can.
Pick-Up Arranged by Hotel/Travel Agency
If you have booked a package with a travel agency, they usually arrange the airport pick-up for guests so make sure to ask beforehand.
Sometimes, hotels also arrange a pick-up for guests. If you have booked a hotel stay in Kathmandu, feel free to inquire about an airport pick-up. This is especially beneficial if you are arriving late at night. Hotels and hostels usually offer a fair price for airport pick-up.
Public Transport in Kathmandu
Public transport in Kathmandu can seem chaotic at first. The bus routes and schedule are not available, so it takes some time to get used to the public transport.
For this reason, if you arrive at the Kathmandu Airport, it is easier to take a taxi than trying to figure out the public buses.
I usually only recommend public transport for those that stay in Kathmandu long-term. If you stay in Kathmandu for a short time, it is faster and more comfortable to get around by taxi.
On the other hand, some of the bus routes to the World Heritage Sites are easy to follow, check out here:
For general advice on taking the public buses and bus routes, check out my post on how to take the public bus in Kathmandu here.
Taking a Taxi in Kathmandu
There are many taxis in Kathmandu and it is easy to hail one. The taxis do not go by meter, so if you hail a taxi, foreigners are usually quoted a slightly higher rate.
There are many taxi apps in Kathmandu that work great, two of the most popular are Pathao and InDrive. You need to have a Nepali SIM to book through the taxi apps. Once you do, it is easy to set up.
The best thing about the taxi apps is that they have a fair price and you do not have to bargain or negotiate the prices. It is reliable and hassle free.
Check out my guide to the best taxi apps in Nepal.
BONUS: Where to Stay in Kathmandu
Not sure where to stay in Kathmandu? Check out my top recommendations for every budget:
📍Best Budget Option: Rest Up Hostel
📍Best Mid-Range Option: Bodhi Boutique Hotel
📍Best High-End Option: The Dwarika’s Hotel
FAQ: How to Get from the Airport in Kathmandu to Thamel
How much is a taxi from Kathmandu Airport to Thamel?
The price of the taxi from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel is Rs. 500-600 if you book a taxi through taxi apps such as Pathao or InDrive.
If you book a taxi from at the pre-paid taxi booths inside the airport, the price is around Rs. 1,000 from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel.
If you take a taxi from the parking lot of the Kathmandu Airport, the prices tend to be more expensive. The taxi drivers there usually ask around Rs. 1,500-2,000. You should try to negotiate a bit to get a fairer price.
How do I get from Kathmandu Airport to the centre?
To get from the Kathmandu Airport to the centre, the easiest option is to take a taxi. There are many taxis inside the airport area as well as outside the airport.
To get a better price for the taxis, it is worth walking outside of the airport area and get a taxi from the ‘Ring Road’.
Is it easy to get a taxi at the Kathmandu Airport?
Yes, it is very easy to get a taxi at the Kathmandu Airport. You can get a taxi from the pre-paid taxi booth, from the airport parking lot or even if you walk outside the airport area.
How far is Thamel from the Kathmandu Airport?
Thamel is about 5.5 km from the Kathmandu Airport and takes 15-20 minutes to get there.
Can I use Uber in Kathmandu?
No, there is no Uber in Kathmandu. However, there are other taxi apps similar to Uber that work in Kathmandu.
The two most popular taxi apps are Pathao and InDrive. You will need to get a Nepali SIM card to use the taxi apps but it is easy to set up and reliable to use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel is easy and quick.
Thamel is 5.5 km from the Kathmandu Airport and there are many taxis you can take.
To get a taxi at the Kathmandu airport, you can either book one at the ‘pre-paid taxi booth’, book one at the parking lot of the airport, or walk outside of the airport to the Ring Road and get a taxi from there.
The taxis booked through taxi apps like Pathao are the cheapest at Rs. 500-600. You will have to walk outside the airport to the Ring Road as taxis through taxi apps are not allowed inside the airport.
Nepal Trip Planning
Book your flight to Nepal: Check out Skyscanner or Kiwi.com to find the best flights deals!
Book Your Accommodation for Nepal: Are you looking for accommodation? Booking.com has everything from budget to luxury accommodation. For the cheapest places, check out Hostelworld.com.
Book Tours and Activities for Nepal: GetYourGuide and Viator have a vast number of tours and day trip activities all around the world. Check out their website and book your activity!
Get Travel Insurance for Nepal: It is always good to be on the safe side when travelling. SafetyWing is one of the most affordable international travel insurance and you can book it even after you have already started your trip.
Get Your Travel Cards: Whenever I am abroad, I always use travel cards Wise and Revolut. They have multiple currencies available, you can use it in shops and restaurants. The great thing is that they have the best exchange rates!
Looking for other tips to make travel easier? Check out my complete list of travel resources that have been my go-to companies when abroad or planning a trip.
Nepal Quick Guide
Can I get a Visa on Arrival for Nepal?
Yes! Almost all nationalities can get a ‘Visa on Arrival’ once landing at the Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu (check eligibility here). Getting a Visa-on-Arrival for Nepal is quick and easy. Read here my full guide on getting a Visa on Arrival for Nepal.
Should I get a Nepali SIM card?
Yes! Once you arrive in Nepal, it is recommended to get a Nepali SIM card.
SIM cards in Nepal are cheap and easy to get. There are daily, weekly or monthly data plans – all at an affordable cost. For more information, check how to get a SIM card in Nepal here.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Nepal?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Nepal, including taxi apps, offline maps for trekking, booking accommodation and travel cards.
Check out my list of the most useful mobile apps to have in Nepal.
Can I exchange money in Nepal? What about ATMs?
Yes! Thamel (where most tourists stay) has many money exchange shops as well as ATMs.
There is also a currency exchange shop at the airport but the rates are better in Thamel. Read here all about currency exchange and ATMs in Nepal.
Is it safe to travel by bus in Nepal?
The roads are dangerous but generally yes (best to travel by a tourist bus)!
I would say road travel in Nepal is generally dangerous due to the road conditions. The roads are narrow and go through mountainous areas. The tourist buses in Nepal have the best safety, so if possible, make sure to book tourist buses when travelling in Nepal.
Overall, the roads might look dangerous but the drivers are used to the road conditions in Nepal so the tourist buses are a safe choice. Here is everything you need to know about bus travel in Nepal.
Can I book bus tickets online in Nepal?
Yes! It is possible to book bus tickets online in Nepal however, I recommend it for those staying in Nepal for 3+ months.
It is not possible to book bus tickets online using an international bank card but only through registering on a Nepali digital payment app eSewa. If you are staying long-term in Nepal, read here my step-by-step guide on how to book bus tickets online using eSewa.
Do they speak English in Nepal?
You might wonder “Do they speak English in Nepal?” It depends on where in Nepal you are. In big cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sauraha/Chitwan) or trekking routes (Annapurna, Everest) that have many tourists, you will easily get by speaking English.
If you are in remote Nepal where not many tourists go, people usually will have little or no English. Here is a quick list of useful Nepali phrases to know while travelling in Nepal.
