Kathmandu Airport Transfer (KTM)

Tribhuvan International Airport (IATA: KTM) is Nepal's only international airport, handling all overseas arrivals and a busy domestic network. The international terminal is a single building with visa on arrival facilities, a baggage hall, and government prepaid taxi counter. The domestic terminal is a separate building adjacent to the international side — both share the single runway. The airport is 6 kilometres from Thamel and 3 kilometres from Boudhanath. Road traffic out of the airport can be severe. A LocalsRide driver meets you inside the international arrivals exit with a name sign — the most direct option after a long overnight flight from Europe or a connection through Delhi or Doha.

KTM Transfer Times

Thamel (tourist hub): 6 km, 20–45 min. Boudhanath Stupa: 4 km, 15–30 min. Pashupatinath Temple: 3 km, 12–25 min. Patan (Lalitpur, Durbar Square): 12 km, 35–55 min. Bhaktapur (medieval city): 16 km, 40–65 min. Nagarkot (Himalayan sunrise viewpoint): 32 km, 1.5–2 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport?

Most nationalities require a visa for Nepal. Tourist visas on arrival are available at Tribhuvan International Airport for most passport holders — 15-day ($30 USD), 30-day ($50 USD), or 90-day ($125 USD) options. Payment is in USD at the counter. The visa on arrival queue can be long (30–60 minutes) on busy arrival days with multiple international flights. Your LocalsRide driver's 60-minute complimentary wait begins when your flight lands — not at the scheduled time — so queues at immigration and visa counters are covered.

What is the best time to arrive in Kathmandu to avoid traffic?

Arrivals between 21:00 and 06:00 experience the least traffic — the journey from KTM to Thamel typically takes 20–25 minutes overnight versus 40–70 minutes during the morning rush. Most international flights from Europe arrive in the morning (07:00–10:00) due to routing via Delhi or Doha; these coincide with Kathmandu's peak traffic. A pre-booked private car does not change the traffic, but the confirmed driver and name sign at arrivals removes the additional stress of finding transport on a congested morning.