Currency Exchange in Nepal: Where to Get the Best Rates

Changing money in Nepal is easy — but where you change it makes a big difference. Exchange counters at Kathmandu airport offer poor rates, while Thamel money changers offer better rates than the banks. This is the complete 2025 guide to getting the best exchange rate in Nepal.

Nepal Currency Quick Facts

Item	Detail
Currency	Nepalese Rupee (NPR / Rs)
Symbol	Rs or रू
Subunit	1 NPR = 100 paisa (paisa no longer used)
Notes	Rs 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000
Coins	Rs 1, 2, 5, 10 (rarely used)
Exchange rate (approximate)	1 USD = NPR 133, 1 EUR = NPR 145, 1 GBP = NPR 170, 1 INR = NPR 1.60
ATM withdrawal limit	NPR 35,000 ($260) per transaction
ATM fees	NPR 500 ($4) for international cards
Credit card surcharge	3–5% at most places

Where to Exchange Money in Nepal

Location	Exchange Rate	Best For
Kathmandu airport exchange counter	Poor (5–10% worse than Thamel)	Emergency only
Thamel money exchange counters	Best rates	Most tourists
Banks in Kathmandu/Pokhara	Good rates, slow process	Large amounts
Hotels	Poor rates	Avoid unless desperate
ATMs (international card)	Bank rate + $4 fee	Convenience
Authorized money changers (tourist areas)	Good rates	Tourist areas in Pokhara, Lakeside

Best Money Exchange Counters in Thamel

• Asia Money Exchange — Tridevi Marg, Thamel. Good rates, fast service.
• Thamel Money Exchanger — opposite Kathmandu Guest House. Reliable.
• Everest Money Exchange — multiple branches in Thamel. Good rates.
• Bhaktapur Money Exchange — near Thamel Chowk. Slightly better rates than competitors.
• Standard Chartered Bank — official rate, slow but safe.

What Currencies Can I Exchange in Nepal?

• USD (US dollars) — universally accepted, best rates. Bring crisp, undamaged bills — torn or old bills are sometimes refused.
• EUR (euros) — widely accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• GBP (British pounds) — accepted in major cities.
• INR (Indian rupees) — accepted at fixed rate (INR 100 = NPR 160). 500 and 1000 INR notes are illegal in Nepal — do not bring them.
• AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, CNY — accepted at major banks in Kathmandu.
• Other currencies — exchange at banks, not at exchange counters.

ATMs in Nepal — The Honest Truth

ATMs are the most convenient way to get NPR, but they have limitations:

• Withdrawal limit: NPR 35,000 ($260) per transaction
• Daily limit: NPR 35,000–70,000 ($260–$520) depending on your bank
• ATM fees: NPR 500 ($4) per withdrawal for international cards
• Reliability: ATMs frequently out of cash or out of order
• Location: Widely available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, major cities. NONE in trekking areas.
• Best ATMs: Standard Chartered Bank, Nepal Investment Bank, Himalayan Bank

Credit Cards in Nepal

Card Type	Acceptance	Surcharge	Best For
Visa	Widely accepted	3–5%	Hotels, restaurants, larger shops
Mastercard	Widely accepted	3–5%	Hotels, restaurants, larger shops
American Express	Limited	5%+	Upscale hotels only
UnionPay (Chinese)	Limited	3–5%	Some shops in Thamel
Maestro/Cirrus	ATM only	$4 per withdrawal	ATMs

Credit card surcharge of 3–5% is standard in Nepal — even mid-range restaurants and shops add it. Cash is king in Nepal. Use credit cards only for large purchases (hotel bills, trekking packages, flights) where the surcharge is worth the convenience.

Using USD Cash in Nepal

USD cash is widely accepted in Nepal for:

• Trekking permits (TIMS card, national park entry, restricted area permits)
• Nepal visa on arrival
• Trekking packages (most agencies accept USD)
• Domestic flights
• Some larger hotels and restaurants (at poor exchange rates)
• Tips for guides and porters

Bring USD in crisp, undamaged notes — old, torn or marked notes are often refused. Denominations of $20, $50 and $100 are most useful.

Traveler's Cheques in Nepal

Do not bother. Traveler's cheques are no longer widely accepted in Nepal — most banks and exchange counters refuse them. Use ATMs and cash instead.

Mobile Banking and Digital Wallets in Nepal

Nepal has several digital wallets that locals use extensively:

• eSewa — most popular, similar to PayPal
• Khalti — second most popular
• IME Pay — growing
• ConnectIPS — bank transfers

These require a Nepali bank account, so are not useful for most tourists. But Pathao (ride-hailing) and Foodmandu (food delivery) accept international cards.

How Much Cash to Bring to Nepal

Trip Type	USD Cash	NPR Cash (Withdraw Locally)
10-day trip (no trek)	$200	$300–$500
2-week trip with Poon Hill trek	$300	$400–$600
2-week trip with EBC trek	$500	$500–$700 (for tea houses, tips)
3-week trip with EBC + Chitwan + Lumbini	$700	$700–$1,000

See our Nepal travel budget guide for the full cost breakdown.

Currency Exchange Tips

1. Exchange money in Thamel (Kathmandu) or Lakeside (Pokhara) — best rates
2. Compare rates at 3 different counters before exchanging
3. Avoid airport exchange counters unless desperate — rates 5–10% worse
4. Count your money before leaving the counter — recount in front of the staff
5. Get small notes (NPR 100s, 500s) — large shops cannot change NPR 1,000 notes
6. Keep exchange receipts — you may need them to convert NPR back to USD at departure
7. Bring USD in crisp, undamaged notes — old notes may be refused
8. Do not exchange money on the street — use official exchange counters

Converting NPR Back to USD on Departure

You can convert NPR back to USD at Kathmandu airport on departure. Limit: USD 500 per person. Bring your original exchange receipts — the exchange counter may request them. Note that NPR is a closed currency — you cannot exchange it outside Nepal.

Counterfeit Money Warning

Counterfeit NPR notes are a problem in Nepal. To spot a fake:

• Feel the paper — real NPR notes have a distinct texture
• Hold up to light — you should see a watermark of the portrait
• Check the security thread — should be embedded, not printed on
• Look for color-shifting ink on the denomination number
• Compare with a known genuine note

If you receive a fake note, refuse it and ask for a replacement. Most exchange counters are honest, but street vendors and small shops occasionally pass fakes.

Money Safety in Nepal

• Use hotel safes for cash and passports
• Carry only what you need for the day
• Split cash between bags — do not keep all in one place
• Be discreet when paying with large notes (NPR 1,000)
• Use ATMs inside banks (not street ATMs) — less risk of card skimming
• Inform your bank you are travelling to Nepal — to avoid fraud alerts

Currency exchange in Nepal is easy — exchange USD for NPR at Thamel money changers for the best rates, use ATMs for top-ups, and bring USD cash for trekking permits. For more on Nepal travel costs, see our Nepal travel budget guide and our Nepal trekking costs guide.