Currency & Payment

The local currency is the Nepali rupee (NPR), used for almost everything. It is a separate currency from the Indian rupee, and taking Nepali rupees out of the country is generally restricted, so spend or change them before you leave. US dollars are useful for visa fees and some park permits. Keep plenty of small notes for taxis, tea houses and rural shops, and carry cash, as many places do not take cards.

You can change money at banks and licensed exchange counters, which are plentiful in Kathmandu's Thamel and in Pokhara. US dollars and other major currencies are easy to change, and clean, newer notes get the best rates. Compare rates, keep your receipts, and avoid unofficial street changers. Change enough before heading to remote trekking areas, where exchange options are limited, and do not leave with large amounts of leftover rupees.

Locals increasingly use QR-code wallet apps such as eSewa and Khalti, and you will see QR stickers in city shops and cafes. These usually require a Nepali bank account or mobile number, so they are hard for short-term visitors to set up. As a tourist, plan to rely mainly on cash, keep small rupee notes handy, and treat any mobile payment option as a bonus rather than something to count on, especially outside cities.

Tipping has become common in Nepal's tourist economy and is appreciated, though not obligatory in everyday situations. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving around 10% is normal where no service charge applies. For treks, tipping guides and porters at the end is an expected and important custom, as it forms a real part of their income; ask your agency for typical amounts. Keep small rupee notes for tips.

Nepal is inexpensive for local food, guesthouses and public transport, so a modest daily budget goes a long way in the cities. Local meals like dal bhat are very cheap, and budget rooms are affordable, while tourist restaurants, boutique hotels and organised treks cost more. Trekking adds up once you factor in permits, guides, porters and tea-house prices that rise with altitude. Carry small rupees and bargain politely at markets.

Nepal does not currently operate a general tourist tax-refund scheme like the VAT refunds seen in some countries, so plan without expecting to reclaim tax on your shopping. If any refund or duty-free arrangement exists at the airport or through specific programmes, treat it as the exception and confirm the details officially, as such schemes and rules can change over time.