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Nepal Arrival Guide: Navigating Kathmandu Airport
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is a pivotal entry point for travelers arriving in Nepal by air. Understanding and reviewing these essential steps before your arrival will ensure a smoother process and a more enjoyable start to your journey in Nepal.
Before you travel to Nepal, ensure you apply for your visa in advance. Visit the Nepali Department of Immigration website to complete the Electronic Visa application before leaving your home country. Upon arrival at Kathmandu, proceed directly to the payment counter to finalize your visa payment and receive your visa, skipping the kiosks for a more efficient process.
Essential Pre-Travel Steps
Before traveling to Nepal, make sure you apply for your visa in advance. Visit the Nepal Immigration Department website to complete the e-Visa application before leaving your home country. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, go directly to the payment counter to complete your visa payment and receive your visa. For a more efficient process, you can skip the machines.
Visa Purchase:
Head to the designated counter to pay your visa fee in USD (cash only). The fees are USD for stays up to 15 days and USD for up to 30 days. Ensure your bills are crisp, new, and unmarked. You'll receive a receipt upon payment, which you'll need to present to the immigration agent.
Customs Clearance:
Proceed to the immigration line designated for foreign nationals. Present your passport along with the visa receipt for inspection by an agent. Once cleared, proceed downstairs via escalator to reach baggage claim.
Baggage Claim:
Before reaching baggage claim, pass through a security checkpoint where your carry-on items will be scanned. Collect your luggage from the often bustling baggage claim area.
Locating Your Ama Adventure Driver
Once you have collected your bags, exit the airport building and proceed just outside where various outfitters await to assist travelers. Look for a member of the OneSeed team dressed in a OneSeed shirt or holding a OneSeed sign. They will be with other outfitters and ready to guide you to a vehicle for transport to our partner hotel.
Important Note
If you do not immediately see a OneSeed staff member outside of baggage claim, please do not accept alternative transport. We will arrive shortly, or you can contact us at operations in@amaadventure.com or call/send a WhatsApp message to our team on the ground using this link. Whatsapp
If you do not immediately see a OneSeed staff member outside of baggage claim, please do not accept alternative transport. We will arrive shortly, or you can contact us at operations in@amaadventure.com or call/send a WhatsApp message to our team on the ground using this link. Whatsapp
Items to Prepare Before Departing the U.S.: Ensure you have these essentials:
1.A pen, as they can be scarce at Kathmandu Airport.
2. Passport photos sized 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (European size) for trekking permits:
3. Everest Base Camp / Langtang Journey (2 photos)
4. Manaslu Circuit (5 photos)
5. All other expeditions (3 photos)
6. Sufficient cash (USD) for purchasing your tourist visa upon arrival. As of August 2023, the fees are for a 15-day visa and for a 1-month visa.
Contact and address information, including your hotel details, for immigration paperwork:
230 Hotel Marg, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal
Arriving Early and Managing Transportation Independently? Inside and outside the airport, there are two prepaid taxi counters or you can negotiate directly with taxi drivers. If assisted with your bags, a tip is customary. Agree on the fare before entering the taxi and consider photographing the taxi number (front or back of the car) for reference. A reasonable fare to Thamel is approximately 800 Nepalese Rupees, around USD.
