Is There Uber in Nepal? Best Alternative Taxi Apps (2025)

So, the question is, is there Uber in Nepal? The short answer is no, there is no Uber in Nepal. However, there are other taxi apps that you can use that work just like Uber.

Instead of Uber, Nepal has other taxi apps such as Pathao, InDrive, Taximandu and Tootle. They are all reliable and an affordable way to get around Kathmandu.

Here is everything you need to know about the best taxi apps in Nepal!

Taxi in Nepal

Hailing a Taxi in Nepal

There may not be Uber in Nepal but there are many other options for taxis in Nepal. Firstly, you have the general taxis that you can just hail.

The only backdrop of hailing a taxi is that there is no fixed price for general taxis, so the drivers will just quote a price. If you take a regular taxi, you will have to bargain a little bit as the drivers tend to quote a price which is higher than what the general fare would be.

Some cities in the southern part of Nepal (e.g. in Janakpur) will have tuktuk taxis like in India. The tuktuk taxi is only available to hail down and not available on any taxi apps.

Ordering a Taxi through Mobile Apps in Nepal

Apart from the regular taxis, there are also taxi apps such as Pathao, InDrive, Tootle and Taximandu in Nepal.

All the taxi apps work in Kathmandu, however, in Pokhara, there is only InDrive and Pathao.

There is an initiative to roll out Pathao across various cities in Nepal and it is currently being implemented. If you travel to a big city (outside of Kathmandu or Pokhara), it is worth checking if Pathao is available.

Taxi Apps in Nepal

Pathao

• Available: Kathmandu, Pokhara
• Pathao on Google Play, Pathao on the Apple Store

InDrive

• Available: Kathmandu, Pokhara
• InDrive on Google Play, InDrive on the Apple Store

Taximandu

• Available: Kathmandu
• Taximandu on Google Play, Taximandu on the Apple Store

Tootle

• Available: Kathmandu
• Tootle on Google Play, Tootle on the Apple Store

Types of Taxi in Nepal

• Car: Booking through taxi apps or hailing down as usual
• Motorbike Taxi: Booking only through taxi apps (Pathao, InDrive, Tootle)
• Tuktuk Taxi: Generally, only available in some cities in the southern part of Nepal (Janakpur, Bardia). It is not available to book through any taxi apps, so you have to hail it down.

What is the Taxi Price in Nepal?

Taxis are very affordable in Nepal as opposed to taking taxis in Europe for example.

The prices vary whether you book the taxi through an app or whether you hail a taxi on the spot. It is the cheapest option to book the taxis through taxi apps. If you hail a taxi, you will be quoted a higher price so you may have to bargain a little bit.

Taxi Fare in Kathmandu

The usual taxi far in Kathmandu is between Rs. 400-500 depending on the distance you go. Generally, the following taxi prices are valid as of 2024:

• Motorbike Taxi: Rs. 100-200
• Taxi (car) through mobile apps: Rs. 400-500
• Taxi (car) if you just hail: Rs. 600+

Taxis at the Kathmandu Airport

When you arrive at the Kathmandu Airport, you have different options on getting a taxi from the airport to your accommodation. Most of the travellers stay in Thamel, and it is pretty easy to get from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel.

Taxi from the airport to Thamel/Accommodation

1. Walk outside of the airport and book a taxi through a taxi app

• Taxi Price: Rs. 500 from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel

Taxis that you can order through taxi apps are not allowed inside the airport area so for this you will have to walk outside of the airport.

First, walk past the car park, turn left and pass through the buildings. You will get outside the airport and you can order taxis here through taxi apps (Pathao, InDrive).

If you are on a budget, this is the cheapest option for taxis from the airport. If you choose this option, just make sure to get a Nepali SIM card at the airport as the apps only work with a local SIM card.

2. Taxi booths at the airport

• Price: Rs. 800-1,000 from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel

A few years ago they set up a taxi booth inside the airport from where you can book a taxi. You will see the booth after you picked up your luggage and start your way towards the exit.

The people working at the booth usually ask every tourist passing by if they need a taxi, so you will not miss it.

3. Getting a taxi in the Kathmandu Airport parking lot

• Price: Rs. 1,500-2,000 from the Kathmandu Airport to Thamel

If you don’t book a taxi through the booth inside the airport building, you will find lots of taxis in the parking lot.

Usually, as soon as a tourist steps outside of the airport building, some taxi drivers will immediately ask if they need a taxi.

You can start bargaining here or continue to walk towards the parking lot. There are lots of taxis there. You will get quoted the highest prices here, so try to bargain as hard as you can.

Is it Safe to Use Taxis in Nepal?

Nepal is generally a very safe country for foreigners (including solo female travellers). The taxi apps are safe and reliable.

The drivers usually call you to confirm the pick-up location. If you don’t understand what they say, just tell them that “I’m at the pick-up location” and they will come to collect you.

Taking a Taxi at Night

The taxi apps usually stop working late at night, so afterwards the only taxis available are the ones that you can hail.

Nepal is safe, but it is still good to be cautious. If you are taking a taxi late (after a night out), try to share a taxi with your friends so you are not travelling alone.

If you are arriving late at the airport, you can ask your hotel to send a driver to pick you up (for an extra cost). Alternatively, book your taxi through the taxi booth inside the airport for safety reasons. 

Motorbike Taxis

The traffic in Kathmandu can be chaotic at times and takes some time to get used to it. Motorbike taxis can go a bit too fast sometimes, especially if you are a foreigner, they will try to speed up to show off.

If the driver is going too fast, you can always tell them gently to drive a little bit slower. If it happens, you can say something like “you are a very good driver but I am not used to the Kathmandu traffic, so please go a little bit slower”. It works all the time.

Tips for Using the Taxi in Nepal

Have the Exact Amount of Cash

The drivers most often do not have change with them so it is best if you have the exact amount of cash. You can always tip some extra if you want.

Get a Nepali SIM

To book taxis though the mobile taxi apps, you will need to get a Nepali SIM card.

You can get one at the airport after you arrive or at one of the many shops in Thamel. Check here how to get a Nepali SIM card.

FAQs: Is There Uber in Nepal?

Which taxi apps work in Nepal?

Although there is no Uber in Nepal, there are other taxi apps that work in Nepal. The most popular are Pathao, InDrive, Tootle and Taximandu. All of these taxi apps work in Kathmandu.

If you travel to Pokhara, download InDrive as that’s the only taxi app that works in Pokhara.

Is there Grab in Nepal?

No, there is no Grab in Nepal. You can use other taxi apps in Nepal such as Pathao, InDrive, Taximandu or Tootle.

Is Ola or Uber available in Nepal?

No, Ola and Uber are not available in Nepal. Nepal has other taxi apps that work just like Ola or Uber. These include Pathao, InDrive, Tootle and Taximandu.

How to book a cab in Nepal?

If you want to get a taxi in Nepal, you can either hail a taxi or book through taxi apps.

If you hail a taxi, be prepared that the driver might quote a more expensive price than what the trip should be, so be ready to bargain before you get into the taxi.

If you don’t want the hassle of bargaining for the taxi price, the easiest thing is to order a taxi through Pathao or InDrive. The prices are fair and the service is quick and reliable.

Alternatively, if you stay at a hotel, you can also ask the hotel staff to arrange a taxi for you. They might add commission to this taxi fare though.

Is there Uber in Kathmandu?

No, there is no Uber in Kathmandu or in Nepal at all. The are other taxi apps like Uber that you can use in Kathmandu. The taxi apps that work in Kathmandu include: Pathao, InDrive, Taximandu and Tootle.

Is Ola available in Nepal?

No, Ola is not available in Nepal. Instead of Ola, there are other taxi apps such as Pathao, InDrive, Tootle or Taximandu that work great in Nepal.

What is the taxi service in Kathmandu like?

The taxi service in Kathmandu is based on either hailing taxis or ordering taxis through taxi apps. There are many taxis in Kathmandu so it is easy to take a taxi. The most popular taxi apps are Pathao and InDrive in Kathmandu and they work just like Uber.

It is only when it rains that it is more difficult to get taxis as at that time the taxis are very busy in Kathmandu.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is no Uber in Nepal but there are other taxi apps that work the same.

If you are looking for the best taxi apps in Nepal, download Pathao or InDrive. They are the two most popular taxi apps.

All the taxi apps work in Kathmandu, however, in Pokhara you only have InDrive and Pathao.

There is an initiative to roll out Pathao across various cities in Nepal and it is currently being implemented. If you travel to a big city (outside of Kathmandu or Pokhara), it is worth checking if Pathao is available.

If you are in city or town that doesn’t have Pathao or InDrive, you will only have to option to hail a taxi. In most places in the south of Nepal (Tarai), most of the taxis are tuktuks (auto) that you can hail.