What currency is used in Kathmandu?

Kathmandu uses the Nepalese rupee (NPR).

What is the emergency number in Kathmandu?

In Kathmandu, call 100 for police, 101 for fire, 102 for ambulance.

How much does a day in Kathmandu cost?

Roughly $20-35 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $50-90 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Kathmandu?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Kathmandu without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Kathmandu travel guide

Nepal

A dense, spiritual valley city of temple squares, stupas and courtyards hidden behind wooden doorways. Most travellers pass through on the way to the mountains, but it deserves a few unhurried days of its own.

Essentials

Language: Nepali; English is widely spoken in Thamel and by guides
Currency: Nepalese rupee (NPR)
Plugs: Type C, D and M, 230 V
Emergency number: 100 for police, 101 for fire, 102 for ambulance
Tipping: Around 10% is common in restaurants without a service charge, and tipping trekking guides and porters is customary.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $20-35, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $50-90, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Kathmandu

Thamel: the traveller hub, packed with guesthouses, trekking shops and rooftop restaurants.
Patan: the separate old city across the Bagmati River, with a Durbar Square of Newar temples and metalwork studios.
Boudha: the area around Boudhanath stupa, home to many monasteries and a large Tibetan community.

Getting around Kathmandu

Walking is the best way around the old areas; for longer trips take a taxi and agree the fare first, or use a ride-hailing app. Dust and traffic fumes can be heavy, so many people carry a mask.

Best time to visit Kathmandu

October to November and March to April, with clear skies outside the June to September monsoon.

Top things to do in Kathmandu

Climb the steps to Swayambhunath stupa for views over the valley
Wander Kathmandu Durbar Square and its pagoda temples
Watch the riverside rituals at Pashupatinath from the far bank, quietly and without intrusive photos
Spend an hour in the Patan Museum, set in a former royal palace
Take a breather in the Garden of Dreams, a restored neoclassical garden beside Thamel

What to eat in Kathmandu

Dal bhat: lentil soup with rice, vegetables and pickle, often with free refills
Momo: steamed or fried dumplings served with a spicy tomato dipping sauce
Samay baji: a Newar platter of beaten rice, spiced meat, beans and soybeans
Chiya: sweet, milky tea, often spiced with ginger or cardamom

Day trips from Kathmandu

Bhaktapur: a well-kept medieval Newar town, about an hour by road
Nagarkot: a hilltop village with Himalayan sunrise views on clear days, about two hours by road

Local etiquette

Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels, take off your shoes at temples, and use your right hand to give and receive. Some Hindu temples, including the main shrine at Pashupatinath, admit Hindus only.

Staying connected

Local SIMs from Ncell and Nepal Telecom are sold at the airport with a passport, and Wi-Fi is common in Thamel, though speed and power can be patchy.

Staying safe

Petty theft happens in crowded Thamel and on buses, and traffic is chaotic, so cross roads with care. Drink bottled or treated water, and note your accommodation's earthquake guidance.

A local tip

Join the clockwise walk around Boudhanath at dusk, when butter lamps are lit and locals do their rounds.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Kathmandu on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Kathmandu for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Kathmandu, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Kathmandu

What currency is used in Kathmandu?: Kathmandu uses the Nepalese rupee (NPR).
What is the emergency number in Kathmandu?: In Kathmandu, call 100 for police, 101 for fire, 102 for ambulance.
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?: October to November and March to April, with clear skies outside the June to September monsoon.
How much does a day in Kathmandu cost?: Roughly $20-35 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $50-90 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Kathmandu?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Kathmandu without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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