Nepal
Use ride apps in Kathmandu, carry cash beyond cities, and verify every trekking permit
Check Nepal's Department of Immigration rules for your passport before departure.
The essentials
What to know before you go to Nepal
Many visitors can obtain a tourist visa on arrival and may complete the official online form first, but eligibility and documents vary. Use only nepaliport.immigration.gov.np because Nepal's authorities warn about fraudulent visa sites. Carry Nepalese rupees and more than one physical card. Card terminals are concentrated in larger hotels, shops and restaurants, while cash remains important outside Kathmandu and Pokhara and on treks.
Nepal Now is a new visitor QR wallet, not a replacement for cash. Trekking rules depend on the route: many protected-area itineraries require a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card, with separate permits for restricted areas. Check the exact route with Nepal Tourism Board and a registered trekking agency. Arrange insurance that explicitly covers your altitude and helicopter rescue before travel.
Road and domestic-flight delays are common, especially during the June to October monsoon, so avoid tight connections. Save Tourist Police 1144 and emergency numbers offline.
Ride Hailing
PathaoEssential
Nepal's established multipurpose app for motorcycle and car rides, with coverage that varies by city.
inDriveEssential
A popular ride app that lets you propose a fare and choose among responding drivers.
Uber
A new Kathmandu Valley option for app-priced car and motorcycle rides, launched in June 2026.
Yango
A fixed-price Kathmandu ride app that is often competitive with Pathao and inDrive.
Food Delivery
FoodmanduEssential
Nepal's established delivery marketplace for Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Butwal and supported nearby areas.
PathaoEssential
Pathao Food adds Kathmandu restaurant delivery to the same account used for local rides.
BHOJ
A long-running Nepal restaurant and delivery app, previously branded Bhojdeals, with late-hour listings.
Payments
Nepal Now
A new Fonepay wallet for verified international visitors to fund and pay at participating Fonepay QR merchants.
Messaging
WhatsAppEssential
The main channel for coordinating hotels, guides, trekking agencies, drivers and airport pickups.
Viber
A widely recognized secondary messenger used by some Nepali residents, guides and travel businesses.
Navigation
Google MapsEssential
The best general map for city roads, accommodation, restaurants and saved places in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Mapy.comEssential
A strong hiking map with marked routes, elevation details and offline coverage for one free country.
Organic Maps
A free offline OpenStreetMap backup for roads, paths and points of interest without an account.
Transit
Sajha Plus
The official route and vehicle-tracking app for Sajha Yatayat buses, not Kathmandu's whole transit network.
Travel & Booking
Language
Google Translate
Useful for short Nepali text, signs and messages when English is unavailable or Devanagari is difficult to read.
Intercity Transport
BusSewaEssential
A major Nepal booking platform for participating tourist and intercity buses, seat selection and some flights.
Buddha Air
The airline's own app for its domestic bookings, check-in, schedules and flight-status information.
Utilities
Internet in Nepal
Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling
Guac
RecommendedReliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
Airalo
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Holafly
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Buying a local SIM card ID registration required
- Bring your passport and visa or entry stamp; staff complete registration at purchase.
- Typical prepaid offers include around 1 GB, while starter prices begin near 138 NPR.
- Airport counters and city carrier stores are the easiest places to buy; confirm activation before leaving.
- Airport prices are usually higher than city or online prices.
Carry a passport photo and photocopy as well as the original passport; shop equipment may be unavailable.
Local carriers
Nepal Telecom (NTC)
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Ncell
Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.
Smart Cell
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Smart Cell exists but its status is disputed - see conflicts_notes
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have apps for traveling in Nepal?
The essential apps for Nepal are Pathao, inDrive, Foodmandu, WhatsApp, Google Maps.
How many travel apps does Nepal have?
We've curated 21 apps across 10 categories for traveling in Nepal, including 10 essential apps.
What is the best ride hailing app in Nepal?
Pathao. Nepal's established multipurpose app for motorcycle and car rides, with coverage that varies by city.
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