Travel Tips
Kathmandu Airport Layover Guide
Transiting through Tribhuvan International Airport with time to spare? Here is how to use your layover well, from lounges to Thamel day trips.
Tribhuvan International Airport is a single-terminal airport with a compact airside area. Layover options depend heavily on whether you are clearing immigration or staying airside.
Overview
Airside (without clearing immigration) you have a limited number of food stalls, a duty-free shop, and seating. The Yak and Yeti lounge airside accepts Priority Pass and day-pass purchases. For layovers of 4 hours or more landside, Thamel is 6km away -- roughly 20 to 30 minutes by taxi (NPR 700 to NPR 900). Passport and visa on arrival are required to enter Nepal. A Thamel run lets you see Swayambhunath or Pashupatinath if timing allows. Budget minimum 2 hours for Thamel and 1 hour return plus airport buffer. For 8-hour-plus layovers, Patan Durbar Square is reachable (30 to 40 minutes each way) for a proper sightseeing detour.
FAQ
Is there a transit hotel at KTM airport? There is no airside transit hotel. Landside hotels near the airport include a few budget options a 5-minute taxi from the terminal.
Does KTM airport have reliable WiFi? Free WiFi exists but is slow. A Nepal SIM card (NTC or Ncell) purchased in arrivals gives far better connectivity for a few hundred rupees.
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