Budget travelGuide
Kathmandu Backpacker Guide
Where to stay, what to see and how to get around Kathmandu on a backpacker budget.
Arriving
Tribhuvan International Airport is about 6 km from Thamel. Prepaid taxis and ride-hailing apps both work; agree on a fare before you get into a street taxi.
Visas on arrival are available at the airport for most nationalities. Bring passport photos and cash in US dollars as a backup to the online form.
Where to stay
Thamel is the easiest base: compact, walkable and full of hostels, cafes and gear shops. Patan and Swayambhu are calmer and closer to local life.
Dorm beds in Thamel commonly start around US$3–8 a night.
What to see
Spend a day each on Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath, then visit Boudhanath and Pashupatinath together. Patan and Bhaktapur make easy half-day or day trips.
Entry fees for foreigners apply at most heritage sites, so carry small notes.
Getting around
Walking is best inside Thamel and the old city. Use taxis or ride-hailing for longer hops, and tourist buses from Kantipath for Pokhara and Chitwan.
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