Travel: Flights to Kathmandu

Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport' (KTM) airport is the largest, and only international, airport in Nepal. Most flights arrive via Delhi or Bangkok, with very few direct flights from outside of Asia. From Delhi, Indian carriers Jet Airways, Air India, and Sahara Air offer daily flights to KTM. Nepali carriers include Royal Nepal Airways and Cosmic Airlines. Several other international airlines also fly from Delhi to KTM. Because of the recent (Aug. 2005) drop in tourism due to the current political situation, many airlines have been offering discount airfare from Delhi to KTM. Foreigners purchasing tickets in India should expect to pay around 25-50% more for airfare than Indian nationals. The price for a RT ticket from Delhi to KTM purchased in Delhi on Cosmic Air as of (Aug. 2005) was 150 USD. However this does not include the airport service charge levied at Tribhuvan International when you leave the country (a mandatory 1,695 NPR for foreigners). This raises the total cost of the ticket price by 25 USD.

To and from airport

Many hotel and guest houses offer complimentary pick up and delivery from the airport. Taxis are also available. As always, one should negotiate the price beforehand with the driver. A taxi ride to Thamel or Boudha should not exceed 150 NPR. Otherwise, order a taxi at the pre-paid booth inside the airport. It will be more than the usual rate, but probably substantially less than you will pay if you travel by one of free-lance taxis outside without first knowing the going rate. Or, simply insist that the driver use the meter, though be prepared for a long wait before finding someone who is willing to do this.