How to Pay in Nepal

Cash is still essential for Nepal travel.

Cards are accepted at many larger hotels, supermarkets, restaurants and tourism businesses in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but small shops, local transport, rural areas and trekking routes may be cash-only. Carry Nepalese rupees and at least two physical cards from different networks. Use ATMs in larger towns before heading into the mountains, keep cash in separate places and exchange money only through banks or authorized dealers. Retain exchange receipts.

Nepal Now is the first local payment app specifically designed for international visitors. It verifies a passport and tourist visa, issues a prepaid card through a partner bank and lets an approved visitor load eligible international cards to pay at Fonepay QR merchants. This directly addresses the access problem with resident wallets such as eSewa and Khalti. However, Nepal Now is new in 2026 and has little independent traveler history.

Enrollment, identity checks, funding, exchange rates, limits and refunds remain subject to the partner bank and app terms. Treat it as an optional experiment, load only a small amount and keep cash and cards ready. Eligible Indian visitors may be able to use supported Indian UPI apps at participating Fonepay QR merchants, but that is nationality and provider specific. Check the recipient and amount before approving a QR payment and never share an OTP or PIN.