About Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. The city is in Kathmandu District. Kathmandu is the main governmental, financial, industrial, and cultural centre of Nepal. As per the 2021 Nepal census, it has a population of 845,767 residing in 105,649 households, with approximately 4 million people in the surrounding metropolitan area. The city stands at an elevation of 1,324 metres (4,344 ft) above sea level. From ancient times until the medieval period, Kathmandu was known as Kantipur and is also referred to as Kasthamandap.
Cheap flights to Kathmandu
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,525 from Toronto, travelling 31 Jan – 28 Feb. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- YTO Toronto to Kathmandu31 Jan – 28 Feb · KTM from$1,525
- YEG Edmonton to Kathmandu1 Nov – 30 Nov · KTM from$3,330
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Emirates, Austrian Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to KathmanduPlaces to visit in Kathmandu
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Kathmandu Durbar Square
HistoricThe old royal palace square, filled with temples, courtyards and the residence of the living goddess Kumari. Some buildings are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake, so a local guide helps explain the site.
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Swayambhunath
Religious · 2 mi from centreAn ancient Buddhist stupa on a hilltop west of the city, often called the Monkey Temple for its resident macaques. Climb the eastern stairway for the classic approach, and keep food out of sight.
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Boudhanath Stupa
Religious · 3 mi from centreOne of the largest stupas in the world and a center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Join pilgrims walking clockwise around it at dusk, then relax at a rooftop cafe overlooking the dome.
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Pashupatinath Temple
Religious · 2 mi from centreA major Hindu temple to Shiva on the banks of the Bagmati River, where open-air cremations take place. Only Hindus may enter the main temple, and visitors should be respectful when watching ceremonies.
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Patan Durbar Square
Historic · 3 mi from centreThe royal square of the neighboring city of Lalitpur, packed with Newar temples and a former palace. Do not miss the Patan Museum inside the palace, one of the best museums in the country.
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Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Historic · 7 mi from centreThe center of a well-preserved medieval town east of Kathmandu, known for its palaces, pagodas and pottery square. Stay into the evening when day visitors leave, and try the local curd called juju dhau.
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Thamel
NeighborhoodThe busy traveler district of Kathmandu, packed with guesthouses, restaurants and trekking gear shops. It is a practical base for arranging treks, but check gear quality carefully before buying.
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Garden of Dreams
ParkA restored neoclassical garden with pavilions, fountains and lawns next to Thamel. It is a quiet escape from the city noise, so bring a book or stop at the garden cafe.
Things to do in Kathmandu by type
16 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Art & culture 8 experiences Bhadgoan City Half Day Private Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 6 experiences Bhaktapur Durbar Square Full Day Private Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 2 experiences Dinner at Chimney Restaurant, Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu
- 3-6 hours 1
- 1-3 hours 1
- Private 13
- Small group 1
Top experiences in Kathmandu
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 16 available.
Mountain Flight - Kathmandu
From $305 per adult
Bhaktapur Durbar Square Full Day Private Tour
From $89 per adult
Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu City, Swyambhunath and Patan - Private
From $87 per adult
Kathmandu City and Swyambhunath Half Day Private Tour
From $45 per adult
Half Day Patan Private City Tour
From $43 per adult
Half Day Dhulikhel Private Tour
From $41 per adult
Half Day Nagarkot Private Tour
From $47 per adult
Bhadgoan City Half Day Private Tour
From $49 per adult
Bungamati and Khokana Half Day Private Tour
From $28 per adult
Lunch with a Newari (Nepali) Family at Bhaktapur
From $36 per adult
Six Course Dinner at Krishnarpan Restaurant
From $87 per adult
Dinner at Chimney Restaurant, Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu
From $71 per adult
Where to stay in Kathmandu
Popular hotels in Kathmandu, out of 381 properties you can book.
The Everest Hotel Kathmandu
From $84 per night
Hotel Yak & Yeti
From $142 per night
Mercure Kathmandu Sukedhara Heights
From $83 per night
Kathmandu Marriott Hotel
From $222 per night
Norbulinka Boutique Hotel
From $50 per night
Fairfield by Marriott Kathmandu
From $67 per night
Vivanta Kathmandu
From $96 per night
Backyard Hotel
From $15 per night
Ramada Encore by Wyndham Kathmandu Thamel
From $82 per night
Himalaya
From $85 per night
Shanker
From $112 per night
Dwarika's
From $544 per night
Best time to visit Kathmandu
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Kathmandu is November, when average daytime highs are around 70°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Kathmandu weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 77° 57° 20%
- Thu 22 Oct 76° 59° 2%
- Fri 23 Oct 76° 57° 2%
- Sat 24 Oct 76° 57° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 77° 56° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 80° 57° 2%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Nepalese rupee (NPR)1 US dollar ≈ ₨152
- Language
- Nepali
- Calling code
- +977
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Asia/KathmanduUTC+5:45
Getting to Kathmandu
These are the airports closest to central Kathmandu. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- KTM Tribhuvan International Airport2 mi (4 km) from the city centre
Getting around Kathmandu
If you fly in, be sure to pick up a free Kathmandu Valley map at the airport. The first thing some visitors notice about Kathmandu is the general lack of house numbers and street names except for major roads such as Tri Devi & Ring Road (loops around the city). In most cases directions are given relative to the nearest chowk or tole (an intersection or square, often with a market) or a noteworthy location or building (such as a temple or restaurant).
On foot
It is possible to get around Kathmandu by foot, but walking around town is not always pleasant. It's worth considering, however, whether any form of public transport would be easier or more convenient than walking when you consider the crowds, the narrow streets and lanes, the traffic and everything you might want to see.
By taxi
Taxis can be hailed on the street or called through app. If you hail a taxi, negotiate the fare before starting off. Fares are higher after dark and in less busy areas. Taxis are easy to find; they park near all major streets & have fare-meters. After 22:00 it can be very difficult to find taxis away from central tourist areas or major hotels. It should be possible to hire a taxi from Thamel for Nrs500 one-way to Patan and around Nrs1,500 to Bakhtapur from Thamel or the airport.
By microbus
The Tempos, small three-wheeled buses, and microbuses are a very cheap (Nrs20-30) way to get around the city. The Tempos come in two varieties - green (electric) and blue (petrol) and run on predefined routes through the city. These routes are numbered, sometimes with both Nepali and European numerals. There does not seem to be a map of the routes, but you can get the hang of their paths quite quickly by asking and observing what numbers go on which road.
Kathmandu travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Kathmandu is November, when average daytime highs are around 70°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Kathmandu?
June is usually the warmest month in Kathmandu, with average highs of 82°F (28°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 42°F (5°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 700 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Kathmandu?
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is the closest airport, about 2 miles (4 km) from the centre of Kathmandu.
How much are flights to Kathmandu?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Kathmandu in the last 30 days was $1,525 from Toronto, travelling 31 Jan – 28 Feb. January is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $1,525.
What currency is used in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu uses the Nepalese rupee (NPR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₨152.
What time zone is Kathmandu in?
Kathmandu uses the Asia/Kathmandu time zone (currently UTC+5:45). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Kathmandu?
If you fly in, be sure to pick up a free Kathmandu Valley map at the airport. The first thing some visitors notice about Kathmandu is the general lack of house numbers and street names except for major roads such as Tri Devi & Ring Road (loops around the city).
What are the best places to visit in Kathmandu?
Top sights in Kathmandu include Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. The old royal palace square, filled with temples, courtyards and the residence of the living goddess Kumari. Some buildings are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake, so a local guide helps explain the site.
What are the top things to do in Kathmandu?
Popular experiences you can book in Kathmandu include Mountain Flight - Kathmandu, Bhaktapur Durbar Square Full Day Private Tour and Full Day Sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu City, Swyambhunath and Patan - Private. Destina Holidays offers 16 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Kathmandu?
The most popular types of experiences in Kathmandu are art & culture (8), day trips & excursions (6), gastronomy & nightlife (2) and air, helicopter & balloon tours (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Kathmandu?
Popular areas for hotels in Kathmandu include Kathmandu. Well-reviewed options include The Everest Hotel Kathmandu and Hotel Yak & Yeti.
How many hotels can I book in Kathmandu?
Destina Holidays currently lists 381 properties in and around Kathmandu, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
