The national airline is Royal Nepal Airlines (RA) (website: www.royalnepal.com). It operates flights to Bangkok, Delhi, Frankfurt/M, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Osaka, Paris, London, Shanghai and Singapore.

From Kathmandu to London is 10 hours 55 minutes (non-direct).

Kathmandu (KTM) (Tribhuvan) (website: www.tiairport.com) is 5.5km (3.5 miles) east of the city (travel time – 20 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses and taxis to the city are available. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, duty free shop, post office, refreshments and tourist information.

NPR1356 for international flights to the SAARC region (the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), which includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; NPR1695 for flights to all other countries. Children under two years are exempt.

Foreign nationals must pay for airfares in foreign currency. Only Nepalese and Indian nationals are allowed to pay in Nepalese Rupees for air passage between Nepal and India.

Two stretches of the Indian Railway Line run to the border with Nepal, where cycle-rickshaws are available for onward journeys.

Kathmandu is connected with India and Tibet by new and picturesque highways through the fertile plains of the Terai. Bus services operate from all border points to Kathmandu. However, during the monsoon season, landslides can often make border points impassable. Visitors are permitted to drive their own cars provided they are in possession of an international carnet. For information on how to obtain an international carnet, visitors should contact their national Automobile Association. See also Travel - Internal section for required documentation.

All visitors entering Nepal by land must use one of the following entry points: Belhiya (Bhairahawa), Birgunj, Dhangadi, Kakarbhitta, Mahendra Nagar and Nepalgunj (all on the Nepal-India border); and Kodari (on the Nepal-China border). If entering overland by car, an international carnet is required (enquire at Embassy for details); see Top Things To Do.

There is a network of domestic flights linking major towns, radiating from Kathmandu. Many of these offer spectacular views across the mountains. Royal Nepal Airlines operates an extensive range of scheduled flights to around 32 destinations in the interior parts of Nepal. Other domestic airlines provide regular and charter services to popular destinations. Helicopters can be chartered for various purposes. Nepal’s domestic air service is known to be punctual and reliable.

NPR165 for all domestic flights.

Air fares must be paid in foreign currency by foreign nationals. Only Nepalese and Indian nationals are allowed to pay in Nepalese Rupees.

Nepal Janakpur-Jayanager Railways (NJJR) operates a freight and passenger service in the eastern Terai.

Traffic drives on the left. The interior parts of the country are linked with a number of motorable roads. The road system is of unpredictable quality. Many of the mountain and hill roads are impassable during the monsoon season (June to September). Bus: There are regular bus services to Kathmandu from all the border points. Tickets may be booked in advance. Buses for the different parts of the country are available at the Gongabu bus terminal, which is located near Balaju. Services are operated by the Transport Corporation of Nepal and by private operators. Deluxe tourist buses are available from Kathmandu to Pokhara and Chitwan. Most of them depart at 0700 from near Thamel in the city centre. Six-seater sumo tato vans, 12-seater vans and air-conditioned minibuses are also available for long distance travel. Visitors should, however, be aware that multiple-fatality accidents on buses are common. Bicycles and motorcycles: These can be hired cheaply from Thamel, Rani Pokhari and Jhochhen. Motorcyclists require a driving licence. Cyclists should make sure they have a working bell. Car hire: Cars can be hired in Kathmandu. Chauffeur-driven cars can only be hired in the Kathmandu Valley. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is valid in Nepal for 15 days, after which a local licence is required. The minimum driving age is 18. A temporary licence to drive is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid national driving licence.

There are bus services in the populous areas around Kathmandu, which include the neighbouring cities of Patan and Bhaktapur. A trolleybus route provides frequent journeys over the 11km (7-mile) Kathmandu– Bhaktapur road. Private minibuses feed the trolleybus route from nearby villages. On buses and trolleybuses belonging to the Transport Corporation of Nepal, a 4-stage fare system applies, with colour-coded tickets issued by conductors. ‘Microbuses’ also operate. Taxi: Metered taxis are plentiful in Kathmandu; at night, the meter reading plus 50 per cent is standard. Private taxis are more expensive and fares should be agreed before departure. Tempos: These are metered 3-wheel scooters, which work out slightly cheaper than taxis. Rickshaws: These operate throughout the city. Fares should be negotiated in advance. Bicycles and motorcycles: These can be hired cheaply from Thamel, Rani Pokhari and Jhochhen. Motorcyclists require a driving licence. Cyclists should make sure they have a working bell.