Nepal Travel Guide: Visa and Best Time
Visa fees, how to enter faster, the best months to go and what a Nepal tour costs.
By Dhruv Poonia, Digital & Marketing Manager, Colourful Indian Holidays · Published 25 October 2026
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Most visitors get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival: US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days or US$125 for 90 days. The best time to go is October to November or March to April. Nepal is easier to enter than Bhutan, with no daily government fee, but a little preparation saves an hour in the airport queue. This guide covers the visa, how to speed it up, the seasons and what a Nepal tour costs.
Nepal at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa on arrival | US$30 (15 days), US$50 (30 days), US$125 (90 days) |
| Daily government fee | None, unlike Bhutan |
| Passport | Valid for at least 6 months |
| Best months | October to November and March to April |
| Wildlife (Chitwan) | December to February |
| Our Nepal tour | From about $840 per person for 7 nights |
How Do You Get a Nepal Visa?
You can get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport or at the main land crossings, or apply in advance at a Nepali embassy or consulate. If you apply in advance, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issue date, and the 15, 30 or 90 days start on arrival. Your passport should be valid for at least six months, and the maximum stay is 150 days in a calendar year. Indian citizens do not need a visa, and a short list of nationalities must apply in advance, so check yours with the embassy.
- Save time: complete the arrival card and photo online up to 15 days before you fly. Without it, the airport process can take over an hour.
- Bring cash: pay in US dollars in small bills, particularly at land crossings, where you also need passport photos.
- Children: Lonely Planet reports that children under 10 do not pay for tourist visas, with exceptions for some nationalities, so confirm for your group.
Fees and procedures are summarised from Lonely Planet's Nepal visa guide (updated November 2025) and Wikipedia's visa policy of Nepal. Rules can change, so verify on Nepal's immigration site before you travel.
Want us to plan Nepal around the right season? See our Nepal tour
When Is the Best Time to Visit Nepal?
- October to November: the second peak season. The monsoon ends in mid-September, skies clear, and October has near-perfect trail conditions. It is also the busiest month. Dashain and Tihar, Nepal's biggest festivals, fall in these months.
- March to May: March and April are peak trekking months and rhododendrons bloom. April and May get hot in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- December to February: dry and clear. Chitwan is excellent for wildlife, with December among the best months. High altitudes are very cold.
- June to August: monsoon. Rain most afternoons, hidden mountains and muddy trails, though Kathmandu's temples and markets are still worth visiting.
Season details are summarised from Intrepid Travel's Nepal guide.
How Much Does a Nepal Tour Cost?
Our 8-day Nepal tour starts from about $840 per person for 7 nights, two sharing, flights excluded, with your own guide and driver. Domestic flights, higher hotel categories and trekking cost more. If the mountains are the point, see our Everest region trip and trekking tours.
Combining Nepal With India or Bhutan
Nepal is cheaper per day than Bhutan and pairs well with both neighbours: India and Nepal (11 days), Nepal and Bhutan (12 days) or India, Nepal and Bhutan. Read about Bhutan's visa and fees before you decide, and see our Nepal destination guide. If India is on the route, you will also need the India e-visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Nepal?
Most international visitors do. You can get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan airport or at the main land border crossings, or in advance from a Nepali embassy. Indian citizens do not need a visa, and a few nationalities must apply in advance, so check your passport before you travel.
How much is a Nepal tourist visa?
On arrival the fees are US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days and US$125 for 90 days. Bring cash in US dollars in small bills, especially at land crossings. Fees can change, so confirm before you travel.
Can I fill in the Nepal arrival form online?
Yes. You can complete the arrival card and upload your photo on Nepal's immigration site up to 15 days before arrival, which saves time at the airport. If you skip it, expect the process at the airport to take an hour or more.
What is the best time to visit Nepal?
October and November, and March to April. Autumn has clear mountain views and near-perfect trail conditions but is the busiest period. Spring brings rhododendrons. December to February is excellent for Chitwan wildlife, and the June to August monsoon is wet with hidden mountains.
Is Nepal good in winter?
Yes for Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan, which are dry and clear, and December is one of the best months for wildlife in Chitwan. High altitudes are very cold, so trekking above the lower valleys needs warm layers.
How much does a Nepal tour cost?
Our 8-day Nepal tour starts from about $840 per person for 7 nights, two sharing, flights excluded. Higher hotel categories, trekking and domestic flights change the price.
How long should I spend in Nepal?
Eight days covers Kathmandu, Pokhara and a wildlife or cultural extension at an easy pace. If you want the Everest region, add days for flights and acclimatisation. Nepal also combines well with India or Bhutan.
Can I combine Nepal with Bhutan?
Yes. Our 12-day Nepal and Bhutan trip links Kathmandu and Paro with a short flight, and our India, Nepal and Bhutan trip adds the Golden Triangle. Note that Bhutan charges a government fee per night, which Nepal does not.
Dhruv Poonia is the Digital & Marketing Manager for Colourful Indian Holidays, working alongside a family travel business that has arranged tours across India, Nepal and Bhutan since 2007. He also oversees the company's sister sites, Rajasthan Travel Agency and Palace on Wheels Tour.
He writes and maintains the destination guides, route information and travel advice published on this site, drawing on his day-to-day work planning itineraries for international travellers to keep every page accurate and current.
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