Arriving in Kathmandu for the first time can be daunting after a long flight. Don’t expect orderly lines or an organized entrance – getting sorted is a rite of passage for flying to Nepal.
Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport is busy and showing its wear and tear. Be patient, fight for your place in the queues, and ask where to go when you’re not sure. Going through the messy entry process can be frustrating knowing that Nepal, a beautiful and exciting country, is waiting to be explored on the outskirts. Don’t worry, you will enjoy it soon!
Standing in the queues
Don’t jump into the first long queue you see after de-planning. Look for the small signs atop the desks far in front, and ask others in the queue what part of the process they are waiting for. Waiting 30 minutes to finally get to the desk, and then finding out that you were supposed to go to a different desk first is a frustrating experience!
Don’t expect neat or polite queues, especially if the waits are long. You probably need to move your feet and even stick your elbows out to block attempts to cut the line in front of you.
Enter the immigration room
You should receive a visa form and a customs form from your airline. Having these completed will give you a huge head start once you arrive. If you did not receive the forms, you will find English versions among the piles of paper on the tables where people are completing paperwork. If that fails, proceed to the front of the queues to obtain forms from the immigration desk.
Tip: Have a pen and your passport handy to complete the paperwork. Forms can be turned in during landing when you can’t reach the pen in your carry-on bag. Also, don’t lose or throw away your boarding pass with the baggage code; You will need it at the airport to claim your luggage.
You can try to fill out the Nepal visa on arrival form online and print it out before you arrive in Nepal. Travelers have reported many problems with the form, including the fact that it is not protected with https – personal identity information will be sent across the web in clear form.
You will probably still need to collect an arrival card and fill it out in the airport hall.
If you don’t have official-size passport photos of yourself, you’ll first have to scramble for one of the electronic kiosks on the left. Scan your passport, fill out the visa form, and allow the machine to take a photo. If you already have your own passport photos, you can skip the kiosk step.
Tip: Passport photos are very useful in Nepal – bring several recent photos with you. You will need passport photos when you get a SIM card for your phone, apply for a TIMS card (required) for hiking in the Himalayas, and in other cases.
Obtain a visa on arrival
Unless you have applied for a tourist visa at a Nepalese embassy before entering Nepal, you must obtain a visa on arrival in Nepal.
Completing the online visa form for Nepal is an option, but it is not preferred until they implement better electronic security. Regardless of how you fill out the visa form on arrival (online, at a kiosk, or on paper), you will need to know the exact address of your hotel in Kathmandu. Just grab and have a valid hotel address from a booking website or your guide handy before you arrive, it will probably not be confirmed.
By default, all visas allow multiple entries. Technically, you could leave Nepal and return within the valid duration of the visa.
Paying for your visa
After completing the forms, you will go to the first counter to pay the visa fee. The preferred currency for payment is the US dollar, however other currencies such as British pounds and euros are also accepted. The bills must be in decent shape, not torn or too wrinkled.
If your currency is not acceptable as a means of paying the fee, you will find a small currency exchange window to the right of the counter. Exchange rates are not the most favorable at this counter, so consider using ATMs or exchanging money elsewhere to get additional local currency for your visit.
Nationals of SAARC countries do not have to pay for a visa. Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Nepal. As of 2016, Chinese tourists do not need to pay any visa fees.
Save the colored receipt and take the other one to the next counter, where you will hand over all documentation, photos and receipts to an immigrant official and hopefully receive your visa upon arrival. Exit to the left towards the baggage claim area.
Pick up Luggage
Going through the visa process will likely take so long that your bag will have already been on the carousel for a while. Security patrols the luggage area to help prevent the bags from disappearing. Keep your baggage claim tag handy; You may be asked to prove that it matches the label on your bag.
Porters who wish to carry your bags or “rent” you a trolley will immediately approach you. Technically, airport cars are free, don’t fall for your first Kathmandu scam.
Leaving the airport
After collecting your luggage, you will descend to leave the airport. On your left, you will pass a currency exchange counter. Ideally, change just enough money to cover the taxi ride to your hotel, then use ATMs to get a better rate thereafter. You will need to present your passport to change money. You will need the receipt when you leave the country if you want to change any local currency to yours.
You can book a prepaid taxi from the airport at several nearby counters, however they often cost more than simply choosing a taxi outside,
Find an ATM
The only ATM is located outside the airport and may or may not work. Turn right when exiting and walk a short distance to the lobby. The room is small, but keep your bags with you.
Transportation from the airport
Although it is the most expensive option, arranging a transfer to your hotel in advance will save additional stress and hassle. You will see your hotel representative standing with a sign when you leave the safe part of the airport. This also saves waiting in another queue to change money or use the only ATM; you can walk to an ATM easier from your hotel.
You will undoubtedly have many transportation offers as soon as you leave the airport. Persistent drivers will be waiting for you. Choose one, confirm that you know your hotel, and then agree on the price. Never get into a taxi before agreeing on a price. Meters are rarely an option.
The journey from the airport to Thamel during off-peak hours takes around 30 minutes.
Tip : No need to tip in addition to your rate.
Don’t be surprised if even the “official” taxis seem to have survived a war or three. If there is space, keep your luggage on the seat with you instead of storing it in the trunk. Dishonest drivers have at times demanded more money, especially from passengers who aggressively negotiated a lower fare, before releasing held hostage luggage in the back.
Don’t expect drivers to have a lot of changes; You may need to rush to your hotel to tear up that rs 1,000 note you just got from the ATM.
