Is There Uber in Nepal? Best Alternative Taxi Apps (2024)

ByTravelling Mandala

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. Check out these apps to get the best prices for a taxi in Nepal.

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.

You will find taxis all over the major cities in Nepal, including Kathmandu and Pokhara. 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.

Apart from the regular taxis, you can also find taxi apps such as Pathao, InDrive, Tootle and Taximandu in Nepal. Although there is a limit to the places they serve. For example, all the taxi apps listed here work in Kathmandu, however, in Pokhara, there is only InDrive. There was an initiative to roll out Pathao across various cities in Nepal but it is yet to be implemented.

Taxi in Kathmandu

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, but you have to hail it down.
Tuktuks in the Southern Region of Nepal

Taxi Apps Instead of Uber in Nepal

Pathao

InDrive

Taximandu

Tootle

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

  • Motorbike Taxi: Rs. 100-200
  • Taxi (car) through 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.

Taxi from the airport (from cheapest to most expensive)

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

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. Price: Rs. 500 from the Airport to Thamel.

2. Taxi booths at the airport

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. You will see the booth after you pass the shops for SIM cards. The people working at the booth usually also ask every tourist passing by if they need a taxi, so you will not miss it. The price is a bit higher than getting a taxi from outside the airport, but it is still reasonable. Price: around Rs. 800-1,000 from the Airport to Thamel.

3. Getting a taxi after you exit the airport building

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 the highest prices here, sometimes even between Rs. 1,500-2,000. Try to bargain as hard as possible as the price should be much less.

Is it Safe to Use the Taxi 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 buddy up with your friends so you are not travelling alone in a taxi.

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 ease into 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, I usually say something like “they are very good drivers, 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 (or will say that they do not have change) so it is best if you have the exact amount of cash. You can always tip some extra if you feel like.

Get a Nepali SIM

To book taxis though the 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.

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