Tribhuvan International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (KTM)

How to get to Tribhuvan International Airport

The Thamel district, the heart of Kathmandu's tourism, is approximately 6 km from the airport: transfer takes approximately 20-30 minutes by taxi.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach Thamel in approximately 20-30 minutes, with often heavy traffic.

By Train

The rail connection to the airport simply does not exist.

By Bus

Public connections are scarce, and taxi remains the most commonly used option.

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Tips Use the prepaid taxi counter just outside the international arrivals area: pay a fixed rate and receive a voucher to give to the driver, avoiding negotiation.

Average travel time to KTM

TrainNot available

Shuttle busLimited service

Taxi / Private hire20-30 minutes (700-1,000 NPR at prepaid counter)

Parking near Tribhuvan International Airport

The airport manages an official parking area right in front of the terminal.

The rates applied are typically moderate.

How to get to Kathmandu from KTM

By Train

No rail service is available to the airport.

By Bus

Public transportation options are limited: most people get around by taxi.

By Taxi

The prepaid taxi counter charges approximately 700-1,000 NPR to Thamel (100 NPR extra after 9 p.m.); taxis negotiated outside the gates may be cheaper (500-700 NPR) but less predictable.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

Car rental at Tribhuvan International Airport

The main car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, although driving in Kathmandu is generally discouraged due to traffic complexity.

A driver's license, passport, and credit card are sufficient for rental.

Hotels near Tribhuvan International Airport

Tribhuvan airport is just 5 km from Thamel, but traffic and queues are enough to stretch the trip from 20 to 45 minutes: those with a short layover or arriving late at night find it handy to stay in the Sinamangal district, steps from the terminal, while those staying to visit the Kathmandu valley gain in liveliness by moving to Thamel, the tourist district with restaurants, trekking shops and the capital's evening life.

At the airport

Sinamangal, a step from the terminal

The Airport Himalaya Boutique Hotel is a 5-minute walk from the terminal; Hotel Tapas, a little further away on Battisputali Road, offers its own shuttle running around the clock (1,500 Nepalese rupees a ride).

Best for: Short layovers, late-night arrivals and dawn departures, when it pays to stay just minutes from check-in.

Pros

A transfer of just minutes, useful for those arriving on a very early or very late flight
Several properties in the area offer free or fixed-rate pick-up, avoiding haggling with taxis

Cons

Sinamangal is a transit district: for dinner you almost always stay in the hotel
For Thamel or Durbar Square you still need 20-30 minutes by taxi

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Thamel

5 km from the airport, 20-30 minutes by taxi outside traffic and up to 45 at rush hour; metered fare 7-10 dollars, or an app like Pathao to avoid haggling.

Best for: Those who want trekking shops, restaurants and evening life within walking distance, with Durbar Square reachable on a short walk.

Pros

Trekking shops, restaurants and bars concentrated in a few streets, all within walking distance
Durbar Square and the Garden of Dreams a 10-20 minute walk away

Cons

Narrow, crowded alleys, often noisy until late
The transfer from the airport is longer and less predictable than from Sinamangal

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

Tribhuvan is the primary aviation hub of Nepal, serving as the gateway to Himalayan trekking, including the route to Everest Base Camp.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area offers Tibetan-Nepalese handicrafts, tea, and local products.

Lounges & relaxation

The airport has several lounges, primarily designed for business travelers.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Travelers in the terminal's common areas can rely on Wi-Fi.

Families & Children

Some essential provisions are available for families in transit in the waiting areas.

Terminal guide

The terminal handles both domestic and international flights, with strong seasonal tourist traffic linked to trekking (March–May, September–November).

The suggested advance time for international flights is 3 hours.

Map of Tribhuvan International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is the prepaid taxi counter at the airport worth using?

Yes, generally more reliable: you pay a fixed fare (700-1,000 NPR for Thamel) and receive a voucher, avoiding negotiation with drivers.

Q. Is Kathmandu the starting point for Everest Base Camp?

Yes, most trekkers fly from Kathmandu to Lukla, a small mountain airport, before continuing on foot towards base camp.

Q. What are the best seasons for trekking in Nepal?

March-May (spring) and September-November (post-monsoon), when the sky is generally clearer and temperatures milder.

Q. Is air pollution in Kathmandu a problem for tourists?

It can be, especially in the dry season between November and April, when smog and dust build up in the valley basin: those with respiratory issues might consider a mask, while conditions improve noticeably during and after the monsoon season.