Money in Nepal

Nepal uses the Nepali rupee (NPR). Here is how to get it and spend it without paying more in fees than you need to.

The essentials

• As of August 2026, US$1 is about NPR 150, €1 about NPR 175 and £1 about NPR 205.
• Indian rupees have a fixed rate: ₹1 = NPR 1.60.
• ATM fees start at NPR 500 per withdrawal (as of November 2024).
• Service charges on bills have been illegal since January 2023.
• Keep exchange and ATM receipts so you can change money back.

Cash and exchange

• Airport exchange rates are worse than in Thamel. ATMs and exchange booths in Thamel usually give a better deal.
• Bring US dollars in cash for your visa on arrival.
• Keep your receipts, as you need them to change rupees back when you leave.

ATMs (as of November 2024)

• Every ATM charges at least NPR 500, so fewer, larger withdrawals save money.
• NIC Asia, Prabhu and Standard Chartered: NPR 500 fee, up to NPR 25,000 per withdrawal.
• Nabil: NPR 700 fee, up to NPR 40,000. Laxmi Sunrise: NPR 600 fee, up to NPR 35,000.
• Everest and Global IME: NPR 625 fee, up to NPR 25,000.

QR payments

• In April 2025, Mastercard and Nepal Clearing House (NCHL) teamed up to let international visitors pay by QR code.
• Indian visitors can pay with UPI at more than 2 million shops, a service running since March 2024.
• Not everywhere takes these yet, so please carry some cash as well.

Bills, VAT and tipping

• Nepal's Supreme Court ruled in January 2023 that businesses may not add a service charge, and menu prices must include the 13% VAT.
• Not every place follows this yet. If you see a service charge on your bill, you're welcome to ask about it politely.
• For taxis, Wikivoyage suggests a tip of 10% is more than enough.
• We found no official guidance on tipping guides and porters, so we don't suggest a figure.

Indian rupees

• ₹1 is fixed at NPR 1.60.
• Since December 2025, Nepal allows ₹100, ₹200 and ₹500 notes issued after November 2016, up to ₹25,000. ₹2,000 notes are not allowed.
• Our sources don't say whether these limits also apply to visitors who aren't Indian or Nepali.

Sources

• Wikivoyage — Nepal (money, ATM fees as of November 2024)
• Wikivoyage — Kathmandu
• IANS — Nepal lifts ban on carrying ₹200 and ₹500 notes (15 December 2025)
• Ratopati — Carrying Indian ₹200 and ₹500 notes allowed in Nepal
• ShareSansar — NCHL and Mastercard enable QR payments for international tourists (16 April 2025)
• The Kathmandu Post — Indian tourists go cashless in Nepal (UPI, 9 October 2026)
• The Kathmandu Post — No more service charge anywhere, top court says (27 January 2023)

Fees and rules checked on 2026-11-02.

Getting to Nepal · Arriving at Kathmandu airport · Getting around Nepal · Staying safe in Nepal · What to pack for Nepal · Food and drink in Nepal · Pilgrimage in Nepal

Trekking and sightseeing in Nepal

General guidance from the sources listed, not a guarantee. Rules, fees and trail conditions change; confirm with the official source or a registered trekking agency before you go.