How to Get a SIM Card in Nepal in 2026: Best Options & Tips

Getting a SIM Card in Thamel (Kathmandu)

Depending on where you are staying, there are many shops that sell SIM cards in Kathmandu.

Most travellers stay in Thamel and there are many shops there that sell SIM cards. All the shops that sell Nepal SIM cards will have a sign outside saying that SIM cards are available for purchase.

Process of Getting a SIM Card in Nepal

The process of getting a Nepal SIM card is easy, you just have to take a passport photo, your passport (with valid visa), and fill in a form at the shop to get the SIM card.

The form includes some basic information. Overall, it’s a quick process, and it took me maximum 10 minutes when I bought my SIM card.

The price of the SIM card is around Rs. 200 (USD 1.50), plus extra costs for buying a data pack.

When buying a SIM card in Nepal, don’t forget to take these with you:

• Passport photo
• Passport (with valid visa)

Best SIM Cards in Nepal

There are two major mobile network providers in Nepal: NCell and Nepal Telecom.

Nepal Telecom

• Nepal Telecom on Google Play
• Nepal Telecom on the Apple Store

Nepal Telecom (also called “Namaste”) is one of the most popular mobile network providers in Nepal.

The advantage of having a SIM card by Nepal Telecom is that it has slightly better coverage in the mountains in Nepal. So, if you plan to go trekking, you should go for Nepal Telecom.

Whenever I go trekking (Everest Base Camp, Mardi Himal or Langtang), travelers who have a Nepal Telecom SIM always have better network coverage on the trek.

I have a SIM card by another provider (NCell), but I have been considering that next time I go trekking, I will buy a Nepal Telecom SIM just for the trek so that I have better network coverage.

The coverage by Nepal Telecom in the mountains is also spotty, but in one or two villages, they have coverage while NCell doesn’t.

Nepal Data Package Prices

The data packages are affordable in Nepal, and you can get them for various validity, such as 1, 3, 7 or 28 days.

The best is to get a data pack when you buy your SIM straight away, then later, if needed, you can top it up. You can top it up in a shop where they sell recharge cards, or download the app for the network (Nepal Telecom, or NCell), and top up your card using the app.

Ncell Data Pack Prices:

• 20 GB: 28 days, Rs. 499 (USD 3.50)
• 1.5 GB/day + 5 GB: 28 days, Rs. 599 (USD 4)
• 88 GB: 28 days, Rs. 888 (USD 6)

eSIMs for Nepal

eSIMs make it even easier to have a SIM card set up when you land in Nepal. eSIMs are digital sim cards (no need for physical SIM), and you can set it up before arriving in Nepal.

There are many companies selling eSIMs but if you want to get one, I recommend the one by HolaFly. Their eSIMs are operated through Nepal Telecom, so it has better coverage in the mountains.

I checked other eSIMs (e.g. Airalo), but it is through NCell, so it doesn’t have good coverage on trekking routes. It is cheaper than HolaFly but the network coverage would not be as good.

⭐ Get a HolaFly eSIM and connect to the internet as soon as you land in Nepal!

Mobile Network & Internet while Trekking

The mobile network coverage is limited when you go trekking in Nepal, but usually in the lower altitudes, you can still connect to the internet on your phone.

In remote areas in Nepal, it is limited for both Nepal Telecom and NCell, but usually, Nepal Telecom works slightly better than NCell.

For example, on the Everest Base Camp trek, both NCell and Nepal Telecom has network coverage until Tengboche, then higher in Dingboche, only Nepal Telecom works, and then absolutely no network for either Nepal Telecom or NCell in places higher than Dingboche.

Even if you don’t get network on your phone, the good thing about trekking in Nepal is that there is wifi available in every teahouse. In most places, you have to pay extra for using the wifi, but it’s better to pay for it than not having any internet.

The cost for wifi is around Rs. 100-300 (USD 0.70-2) on most of the trekking routes (Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal, Langtang Valley), but it’s more expensive on Everest Base Camp trek, where you have to get wifi cards (Rs. 1,200-1,500/ USD 8-11).

FAQs: How to Get a SIM Card in Nepal

Can foreigners get a SIM card in Nepal?

Yes, foreigners can get a SIM card in Nepal. The process is very quick and easy to get a SIM card in Nepal. You just have to fill in a form, have a passport photo and a copy of your passport and valid visa with you.

You can get a Nepali SIM card at the Kathmandu Airport or at one of the many shops in Kathmandu.

How to buy a SIM card in Nepal?

To buy a Nepal SIM card, take a passport photo and a copy of your passport and valid visa with you.

There are many shops in Thamel (and in Kathmandu in general) where you can get a SIM card. You will have to fill in a form and the cost of the SIM card is around Rs. 200 (USD 1.50).

The cost of data packs are at additional cost. Generally, if you top up your phone with around Rs. 600 (USD 4), that will be sufficient for a data pack of 1.5 GB/day for 28 days.

What is the best SIM card in Nepal?

There are two major mobile network providers in Nepal are NCell and Nepal Telecom.

The two networks are more or less the same, but Nepal Telecom works better in remote, mountain areas, so if you plan to go trekking, then go for Nepal Telecom.

What documents are needed for a Nepal SIM Card?

To get a SIM card in Nepal, you will need to have a passport photo, and a copy of your passport and valid visa with you. In addition, there is a form you have to fill in to get a SIM card.

The cost of the SIM card is Rs. 200 (USD 1.50), plus you will have to pay in addition for a data pack.