Travel tips · Kathmandu · Nepal
Kathmandu travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Hinduism and Buddhism intertwine in the Kathmandu Valley: the same shrine may be honoured by both faiths, and festivals follow a lunar calendar that fills the year with processions. The Newar people built the valley's towns and still maintain their guilds, rituals and food culture, while Boudha is the centre of a large Tibetan community.
Key facts
- Language
- Nepali, Newar (Nepal Bhasa) and English
- Currency
- NPR
- Plugs
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is not safe to drink; use refill stations, filtered water or bottled…
- Emergency
- Police 100, Tourist Police 1144, ambulance 102
Things to know
- Walk clockwise around stupas and spin prayer wheels clockwise.
- Remove shoes before entering temples and homes, and ask before entering a shrine; some Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus.
- Do not touch people's heads or point your feet at people or religious images.
- Greet people with 'Namaste' and palms pressed together rather than a handshake, especially with older people.
- Ask before photographing people, rituals and cremations, and never photograph mourners.
- Book Everest mountain flight ahead: Book through an airline or agent a few days ahead, and choose a date early in your stay in case of weather cancellations.
- Check whether menu prices include the 10% service charge and 13% VAT before ordering.
Tipping
Many tourist restaurants add a 10% service charge, so extra tips are optional. Tipping trekking guides and porters at the end of a trek is expected, and a small tip for taxi drivers and hotel staff is appreciated.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Namaste | Hello / goodbye |
| Dhanyabad | Thank you |
| Kati ho? | How much is it? |
| Mitho chha | It's delicious |
| Pugyo | Enough |
| Tashi delek | Tibetan greeting, used in Boudha |
What to wear
Layers are essential: valley days can be warm while mornings and evenings are cold from November to February. Cover shoulders and knees at temples, and carry a mask for dusty, polluted streets.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is not safe to drink; use refill stations, filtered water or bottled water.
- Emergency number
- Police 100, Tourist Police 1144, ambulance 102
- Phone and internet
- Nepal Telecom and Ncell offer tourist SIM cards at the airport and in Thamel with passport registration; most hotels and cafés have Wi-Fi, though speeds vary.
- Time zone
- Asia/Kathmandu
Traffic, broken pavements and air pollution are the main everyday hazards, and dust and smog can be heavy in winter and spring. Petty theft and touting occur in Thamel. Earthquakes are a known risk in the region, so note your hotel's exit routes.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Nepal's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Kathmandu?
Many tourist restaurants add a 10% service charge, so extra tips are optional. Tipping trekking guides and porters at the end of a trek is expected, and a small tip for taxi drivers and hotel staff is appreciated.
+Can you drink the tap water in Kathmandu?
Tap water is not safe to drink; use refill stations, filtered water or bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Kathmandu?
Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Kathmandu?
Nepali, Newar (Nepal Bhasa) and English.