Getting Into Nepal

Nepal is a landlocked country, so you can enter the country either by land or air. Travelers entering Nepal are required to follow certain protocols to ensure their safety and the safety of others. You should carefully review the entry requirements and guidelines set by the Nepalese government before planning your trip to Nepal to ensure a safe and hassle-free journey.

By Air

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is connected by 12 major international airlines. The national flag carrier is Royal Nepal Airlines and has connecting flights to India (Delhi, Mumbai & Bangalore), Japan (Tokyo), Qatar (Doha), Hong Kong, Thailand (Bangkok), China (Guangzhou), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), and U.A.E (Dubai).

Likewise, some of the biggest international airlines flying to Kathmandu are Qatar Airways (Doha), Emirates (Abu Dhabi), and Turkish Airlines (Istanbul). Along with that, these are some other international airlines that fly to Kathmandu- Druk Air (Paro, Bhutan), Indian Airlines (Delhi, Kolkata & Varanasi), Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Dhaka), Malaysia Airlines, Etihad Airways (Dubai & Abu Dhabi), Sichuan Airlines & Air China (Lhasa), Thai Airways (Bangkok), Korean Air (Seoul), Air India, and Oman Air (Muscat).

As of now, there are no direct flights that connect Kathmandu to the USA and Canada. So, you have to take a transit flight to Europe or the Middle East via Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific, or Singapore Airlines and then a connecting flight to/from these two countries. Similarly, there is also no direct flight from New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia. You can expect anywhere from 20 to 26 hours of flight journey to/from Kathmandu, Nepal.

By Land

Nepal borders India in the east, south, and west, whereas China’s Tibetan Autonomous Region lies in the north. You can enter Nepal via the Indian or Tibetan border. As entering Nepal from the Tibetan border demands numerous documentation, usually travelers prefer the Indian border.

The common Indian borders to enter Nepal are Raxaul-Birgunj, Sunauli-Belahiya, Kakarvitta, Bhairhawa, Nepalgunj, Mahendra Nagar, and Dhangadi. Other borders near cities like Biratnagar, Janakpur, and Illam are rarely used by foreigners to enter Nepal.

From Tibet, the Kodari Pass between Zhangmu and Kodari on the Friendship Highway is the entry point to Nepal. Recently, the border crossing between Gyirong and Rasuwa Gadhi has also been accessible to international travelers entering from China.

*Note: You have to carry a valid passport to enter Nepal via any land border.