Getting to Kathmandu
Almost everyone arrives in Nepal by air, at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, the country's only international gateway. Most travellers reach it with a single connection through India, the Gulf or Southeast Asia.
Founder & Spiritual Healer
Reviewed and updated June 2026
How do most people fly to Kathmandu?
Tribhuvan International Airport (airport code KTM) sits just east of central Kathmandu and handles all of Nepal’s international flights. There are no direct long-haul flights from Europe or the Americas, so travellers from outside the region almost always connect through a major hub.
The most common routes are short hops from India (Delhi is roughly a 1 hour 45 minute flight), and one-stop connections through the Gulf and Asia. Whatever your starting point, you can usually reach Kathmandu in a single connection.
Main connecting hubs
Reliable one-stop gateways into Kathmandu.
India (Delhi, others)
The closest international link. Delhi to Kathmandu is about 1 hour 45 minutes, with frequent daily flights. Good for travellers from the West connecting via Delhi.
The Gulf (Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi)
Qatar Airways flies nonstop Doha to Kathmandu in around 4 hours 15 minutes. Emirates, flydubai and Etihad also connect the Gulf to Kathmandu, ideal from Europe and Africa.
Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore)
Popular gateways for travellers coming from Australia, East Asia and the Pacific, with regular flights into Kathmandu.
Turkey (Istanbul)
Turkish Airlines connects Europe and the Americas to Kathmandu via Istanbul, a useful single-stop option from many Western cities.
What happens when you land
Arrival at Tribhuvan is straightforward if you know the order of things.
- 1
Visa on arrival
Most nationalities get their tourist visa on arrival at the airport. Fill in the form (or use the online form in advance), pay the fee, and collect your visa. See our Nepal visa guide for fees and details.
- 2
Immigration and baggage
Clear immigration with your visa, then collect your checked luggage from the carousel.
- 3
Money and SIM
There are ATMs and currency exchange in the arrivals hall, and tourist SIM cards (Ncell or Nepal Telecom) are sold at the airport with a passport and photo.
- 4
Onward transport
Pre-arranged pick-ups wait in the car park; licensed prepaid taxis are available from a counter. If you are staying with us, we can arrange a driver to meet you.
Getting from the airport to your centre
Kathmandu is compact, and most areas are within 30 to 60 minutes of the airport depending on traffic. A taxi is the simplest option; agree the fare before you set off, or use the airport prepaid taxi counter.
For students and guests of Jivan Parivartan we can arrange an airport pick-up so a driver is waiting for you with your name. Our centre is in Tarkeshwor, in the quieter north-west of the valley, around 45 minutes from the airport in normal traffic. Tell us your flight details and we will take care of the rest.
Travelling on to Pokhara or the mountains?
Domestic flights from Kathmandu reach Pokhara in about 25 minutes, and tourist buses take around 6 to 8 hours. For trekking and our pre and post-trek yoga programs, Kathmandu is your staging point. We can help you sequence city study, retreat and trek.
Written by
Maa Nisha KabirFounder of Jivan Parivartan, Reiki Master and spiritual healer with 12+ years of sadhana, including two years in Himalayan cave retreat.
Before you fly
Frequently Asked Questions
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