Rules change from time to time. This guide was last checked on 28 September 2026. We confirm the latest requirements with every booking.
1. Do Indians need a visa for Nepal?
No. Indian citizens do not need a visa to visit Nepal and can stay without a time limit. You do need an accepted identity document, and you must show it when flying and at land borders.
2. Which ID documents are accepted?
| Traveller | Accepted documents |
|---|---|
| Adults | Valid Indian passport, or original Voter ID card (Election Commission of India) with photo. A downloaded or printed copy of the Voter ID is not accepted. |
| Children under 15 | Photo ID showing age and identity. When travelling with parents, carry proof of relationship (e.g. birth certificate) as well. A passport is the simplest option. |
| Family groups | If one adult holds an accepted document, other family members may travel with photo ID and proof of relationship. Check with your airline before flying. |
Not accepted: Aadhaar, PAN card, driving licence and other IDs are not valid on their own for travel to Nepal. For Kailash Mansarovar (Tibet), every pilgrim needs a passport.
3. Money: Indian rupees in Nepal
- The Nepali rupee (NPR) is pegged to the Indian rupee: ₹1 = NPR 1.60.
- Indian rupees are widely accepted in shops, hotels and taxis in tourist areas. Change is usually given in Nepali rupees.
- ₹200 and ₹500 notes issued after 9 November 2016 may now be carried and used, up to ₹25,000 per person in total. Notes of ₹100 and below are not affected by this limit.
- ATMs are common in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Many Indian debit and credit cards work, but check international usage and fees with your bank. UPI payments are accepted at a growing number of merchants in Nepal.
4. Getting to Nepal from India
By air
Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport has direct flights from several Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Varanasi. Schedules change by season, so check current flights when you book. We meet you at the airport.
By road: main border crossings
| Indian side | Nepal side | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sunauli (Uttar Pradesh) | Belahiya / Bhairahawa | Lumbini, Pokhara, Muktinath; travellers from Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Delhi |
| Raxaul (Bihar) | Birgunj | Kathmandu, Chitwan; travellers from Bihar and Kolkata |
| Jaynagar (Bihar) | Janakpur | Janakpur Dham |
| Rupaidiha (Uttar Pradesh) | Nepalgunj | Western Nepal, and the Kailash helicopter route via Simikot |
| Panitanki (West Bengal) | Kakarbhitta | Eastern Nepal; travellers from Siliguri, the North-East and Kolkata |
We can meet groups at any of these crossings with a vehicle and tour leader.
Bringing your own car or bike
Indian-registered vehicles can enter Nepal on a temporary customs permit (bhansar), charged per day, with a limit of 30 days per calendar year. Carry the RC, driving licence, insurance and pollution certificate. Nepal’s customs department now lets you apply for the permit online before you reach the border.
5. Phones and internet
Indian SIMs may work on international roaming, but it is expensive. Local SIM cards from Nepal Telecom (NTC) or Ncell are cheap and available at the airport and in town with your ID and a photo. Hotels and cafés usually have Wi-Fi.
6. Best time to visit Nepal
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| October–November | Clear skies and the best mountain views; festival season (Dashain, Tihar). Peak time, so book early. |
| December–February | Cool and clear; cold in the mountains. Good for Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan and weddings. |
| March–May | Warm, with rhododendrons in bloom. Popular for Muktinath and family holidays in May–June school holidays. |
| June–September | Monsoon: green but rainy, and mountain flights are more often delayed. The Kailash season runs through these months. |
7. Practical tips
- Nepal time is IST + 15 minutes.
- Plugs are the same round-pin types used in India.
- Vegetarian food is easy to find; we can arrange Jain meals on request.
- Hindi is widely understood in Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Terai.
- Buy travel insurance, especially for Muktinath, treks and Kailash, where altitude is a factor.
Quick answers
Is Aadhaar card valid for travel to Nepal?
No. Aadhaar is not an accepted travel document for Nepal. Adults need a valid Indian passport or an original Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of India.
Can I carry ₹500 notes to Nepal?
Yes, within limits. Nepal Rastra Bank now allows Indian ₹200 and ₹500 notes issued after 9 November 2016, up to a combined ₹25,000 per person. Notes of ₹100 and below are not affected by this limit.
What is the exchange rate between the Indian and Nepali rupee?
The Nepali rupee is pegged to the Indian rupee at 1 INR = 1.60 NPR, so prices are easy to convert.
Is Nepal time the same as India time?
Nepal is 15 minutes ahead of India (IST + 0:15).