Flights to Nepal

Reaching Nepal involves connecting flights as there are no non-stop flights from the UK...

The best options are with carriers such as Jet Airways from Heathrow flying via Delhi or Mumbai, Qatar Airways flying from London, Manchester and Edinburgh via Doha and Etihad from Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh via Abu Dhabi. Turkish Airlines also has a connection via Istanbul from London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

You’ve touched down on your flight to Nepal – so what now? Find out how to get to and from the airport with our handy guide...

At the airport there are plenty of taxis willing to whisk you to your accommodation, but do ensure you agree a price before boarding. The best way to make sure you’re getting the right price is to use the pre-paid taxi service. Just outside of arrivals is the pre-paid taxi desk, where the set rates are clearly displayed.

It takes around 15 minutes to reach central Kathmandu and should cost around £5. It’s cheap to get about by taxi, though it’s always wise to agree a price before you travel anywhere in Kathmandu.

Cheaper still are the local buses, which set off from the airport regularly and journey into the heart of Kathmandu in around 25 minutes. Local buses are plentiful but many travellers opt to travel in the air-conditioned tourist buses.

Many hotels will provide taxis or shuttle buses for their guests.

Transport around Nepal can be problematic due to the challenging terrain. Should you choose to hire a vehicle and driver, a 4x4 is recommended. You can book car hire and arrange pick up from the airport. Book car hire in Kathmandu as far in advance as possible to secure the cheapest rates and the most suitable vehicle.

Where will you stay during your holiday in Nepal? There are plenty of wonderful areas in which to find a great-value hotel...

Many backpackers and travellers head straight for the Thamel district of Kathmandu, a renowned hippy hang-out in the 60s and 70s, which nowadays buzzes with shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Other areas to explore include the busy market square of Asan Tole with the Garden of Dreams offering a tranquil retreat hidden from the heat and noise of the city.

There are many cheap and cheerful hotels in Thamel that reflect the nature of the area and are filled with bargain-loving backpackers. If you want a budget hotel, you’ll find plenty around here, though Kathmandu is also awash with luxury hotels. If you’d like to stick with a hotel brand you know and love, you can book rooms in Kathmandu with the likes of Shangri-La, Crowne Plaza, Hyatt Regency and Radisson.

After the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, most travellers make their way to the cultural centres of Patan and Bhaktapur before heading to the relative solitude of the Himalayas. Patan and Bhaktapur have numerous monuments, Stupas and temples and form part of the Kathmandu Valley.

Patan, which is also confusingly known as Lalitpur as well as Manigal, almost merges with the southern part of Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is a 20-minute drive to the east of the capital. Once again, these areas offer a good range of hotels, though choice is more limited compared with Kathmandu.

Wherever you plan to stay in Nepal, find hotels to suit your budget by using the search tool on TravelSupermarket.