ARRIVING AT
KATHMANDULeaving Tribhuvan International Airport: transport guide
Tribhuvan International Airport · Nepal
High riskUpdated June 2026High confidence
Aggressive taxi touts inside and outside arrivals. Pre-paid taxi counter is the only safe non-app option.
TL;DR
KTM (Tribhuvan International Airport) is the main international airport serving Kathmandu, Nepal. The recommended way out is Use the pre-paid taxi counter inside arrivals (~NPR 700–1,200, 30–60 min to Thamel). Pickup is at Pre-paid taxi counter, then official taxi at the rank. The most common scam to watch for is "Curbside tout swap". Fares on the KTM → Thamel route typically run NPR 700–1,200; anything above NPR 4,000+ tout is almost certainly a scam. Last updated June 2026.
IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING
Use the pre-paid taxi counter inside arrivals
- Typical fare
- NPR 700–1,200
- Journey time
- 30–60 min to Thamel
- Pickup
- Pre-paid taxi counter, then official taxi at the rank
WARNING · Touts will follow you out — do NOT engage. They charge 3–4x.
01
Compare your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Wait | Payment | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pre-paid taxi (airport counter) | NPR 700–1,200 | 5–10 min | 💵Cash | |
InDriver | NPR 500–900 | 5–15 min | 💵Cash | — |
Hotel pickup | Often $10–$15 USD | Pre-arranged | 💵Cash | — |
02
Your first 30 minutes
- 1Get visa on arrival (forms inside, USD cash required)
- 2Pick up SIM at Ncell/NTC counter
- 3Use ONLY the pre-paid taxi counter inside arrivals
- 4Pay in NPR or USD at counter, get coupon
- 5Walk to official taxi rank outside, hand coupon to driver
- 630–60 min to Thamel
03
Airport exit score
AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
50/ 100
- Scam risk45
- Public transport30
- Ride-hailing60
- Signage clarity60
- Payment convenience55
04
Fare reality check
KTM → Thamel
- NPR 700–1,200ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
- NPR 2,000+ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
- NPR 4,000+ toutProbably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
05
Best ways out, ranked
- 1
Pre-paid taxi (airport counter)
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- NPR 700–1,200
- Journey
- 30–60 min
- Wait
- 5–10 min
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Set price
- Avoids haggling
Cons- Slightly above local meter
- 2
InDriver
- Cost
- NPR 500–900
- Journey
- 30–60 min
- Wait
- 5–15 min
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Often cheaper than pre-paid
Cons- Pickup outside main gate
- Driver availability varies
- 3
Hotel pickup
- Cost
- Often $10–$15 USD
- Journey
- 30–60 min
- Wait
- Pre-arranged
- Payment
- 💵 Cash
Pros- Driver with sign
- Removes all friction
Cons- Pricier than pre-paid
06
Paying without surprises
- Bring clean USD for visa on arrival ($30 for 15 days, $50 for 30, $125 for 90).
- ATMs work but withdrawal limit is ~NPR 35,000 per transaction.
- Foreign cards rarely work outside Thamel.
07
Common scams
Curbside tout swap
High riskTouts grab your bag, walk you to a private car, and charge NPR 3,000–4,000.
HOW TO AVOID · Never accept help with bags. Use ONLY the pre-paid counter inside arrivals.
Hotel commission scam
High riskDriver claims your hotel is 'closed/burned/moved' and takes you to a commission partner.
HOW TO AVOID · Insist on the original address. Call your hotel from the airport if doubt.
Visa form upsell
Medium riskTouts charge for free visa forms.
HOW TO AVOID · Forms are free inside the immigration hall.
08
What locals & travellers say
KTM·Kathmandu
“Have your hotel's address printed and the phone number ready — drivers often pretend not to know it.”
Redditr/NepalChecked Feb 2025confirmed
01 / 02
- "Have your hotel's address printed and the phone number ready — drivers often pretend not to know it." — r/Nepal
- "Hotel pickup is worth the extra $5–$10 for first-time visitors." — Lonely Planet forum
09
Arrival checklist
- Bring clean USD for visa on arrival
- Skip every tout offering 'help'
- Pre-paid taxi counter only, OR hotel pickup
- Print your hotel address + phone
- Get Ncell SIM at the arrivals counter
✉︎
Take it with you
10
KTM arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Tribhuvan International Airport?
- Use the pre-paid taxi counter inside arrivals. Touts will follow you out — do NOT engage. They charge 3–4x..
- Are taxis at KTM safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: curbside tout swap — Touts grab your bag, walk you to a private car, and charge NPR 3,000–4,000. Never accept help with bags. Use ONLY the pre-paid counter inside arrivals.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at KTM?
- Ride-hailing availability at KTM varies — check the app before you land. Where it works, the pickup point is usually outside the arrivals curb in a marked zone.
- How much should a taxi from KTM to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the KTM → Thamel route is roughly NPR 700–1,200. Anything around NPR 2,000+ is high — NPR 4,000+ tout is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at KTM?
- Carry small local notes — Pre-paid taxi (airport counter) expects cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Tribhuvan International Airport?
- Pre-paid taxi counter, then official taxi at the rank. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is KTM safe to arrive at late at night?
- KTM is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
- What scams should I watch for at KTM?
- The most reported at KTM: Curbside tout swap; Hotel commission scam; Visa form upsell. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.