Airports in Nepal: The Complete Tourist Guide (2026 Updated)

Nepal has 55 airports in total, but as a tourist, you only need to know about a handful. This guide tells you exactly which airport you’ll land at, which ones you’ll use for getting around the country, and what to expect at each.

Quick answer for first-time visitors: Almost everyone arrives at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. If you’re going to Pokhara or the Lumbini/Chitwan area, you may also land at Pokhara International (PKR) or Gautam Buddha International (BWA).

At a glance: All the airports you actually need

The 3 international airports (where you’ll land)

1. Tribhuvan International Airport — Kathmandu (KTM)

This is the airport 99% of tourists arrive at. Located about 6 km east of central Kathmandu, it’s Nepal’s oldest and busiest airport.

What to know:

• IATA code: KTM
• Distance to Thamel (tourist hub): 6–7 km, about 25–40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic
• Annual passengers: Around 9.5 million (2024) — it operates above its 8 million capacity, so expect crowds
• Visa on arrival: Yes, available for most nationalities. Bring USD cash and passport photos
• ATMs and SIM cards: Available right after immigration
• Taxi fare to Thamel: Around NPR 700–1,000 (prepaid counter recommended)

Tourist tip: The airport has three terminals — international, domestic, and a VIP terminal. International arrivals and domestic departures are in separate buildings, about a 10-minute walk apart. If you’re connecting to a domestic flight (to Pokhara, Lukla, etc.), allow at least 2 hours between flights.

2. Pokhara International Airport (PKR)

Nepal’s newest international airport, opened for international flights in 2023. Located 4 km from Pokhara’s lakeside tourist area.

What to know:

• IATA code: PKR
• City served: Pokhara (Gandaki Province)
• Why tourists love it: Skip Kathmandu entirely if you’re only coming for the Annapurna treks or Phewa Lake
• Annual passengers: About 1 million (2024)
• International flights: Currently limited — most international arrivals still go via Kathmandu first

Tourist tip: As of 2026, international flight options here are still expanding. Check before booking — you may need to fly to Kathmandu first, then take a 25-minute domestic hop to Pokhara.

3. Gautam Buddha International Airport — Bhairahawa (BWA)

Located near Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. International flights started in 2022.

What to know:

• IATA code: BWA
• City served: Siddharthanagar (Bhairahawa)
• Distance to Lumbini: Around 22 km, 35 minutes by taxi
• Annual passengers: About 620,000 (2024)

Tourist tip: This is the most convenient airport if Lumbini is your main destination. Some international airlines do fly here directly — worth checking if you’re a Buddhist pilgrim or specifically visiting Lumbini.

Domestic airports tourists actually use

Tenzing-Hillary Airport — Lukla (LUA)

This is the airport. The one you’ve seen on YouTube. Named after Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, it’s considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world — a 527-meter runway carved into the mountainside at 2,860 meters elevation.

Why you’d use it: It’s the standard starting point for the Everest Base Camp trek.

Tourist tip: Flights are frequently cancelled due to weather. Build at least 2 buffer days into your trip on both sides. From October to May, most flights now depart from Ramechhap Airport (RHP) instead of Kathmandu — a 4-hour drive from Kathmandu, usually starting at 2 a.m. Check with your trekking company.

Bharatpur Airport (BHR)

Why you’d use it: Quick 25-minute flight from Kathmandu to reach Chitwan National Park for jungle safaris, rhino spotting, and elephant encounters. Alternative to a 5-hour bumpy drive.

Jomsom Airport (JMO)

Why you’d use it: Gateway to Mustang, the high-altitude desert region, and a starting/ending point for sections of the Annapurna Circuit. Flights operate from Pokhara, typically only in the morning due to strong afternoon winds.

Tourist tip: Flights are weather-dependent. The runway is at 2,700 meters — windy, dramatic, and short.

Other useful domestic airports

• Biratnagar (BIR) — Regional hub for east Nepal, connects to Janakpur, Taplejung, Tumlingtar
• Nepalgunj (KEP) — Regional hub for west Nepal, jumping-off point for Bardia National Park and remote treks in Humla, Dolpa, Jumla
• Janakpur (JKR) — Hindu pilgrimage site, birthplace of Sita
• Bhadrapur / Chandragadhi (BDP) — For visiting the Ilam tea-growing region in east Nepal
• Simikot (IMK) — Remote, the only way to reach Humla for treks to Mount Kailash via Nepal
• Dolpa / Juphal (DOP) — For Upper Dolpo trekking
• Tumlingtar (TMI) — For Makalu region trekking
• Phaplu (PPL) — Alternative starting point for Everest region

What to expect flying domestic in Nepal

Domestic flights in Nepal are an experience. Here’s the honest version:

• Small aircraft: Most domestic flights use 14–72 seat turboprops
• Hand luggage limits are strict: Usually 5 kg checked + 5 kg hand. Pack light
• Cancellations are common: Weather, especially in monsoon (June–September) and winter (December–February)
• Both sides of the plane have great views: For Lukla and Jomsom, the right side of the aircraft (going from Kathmandu) gives you Everest and the Annapurnas
• No frills: Don’t expect snacks or entertainment. Flights are short — most are under 45 minutes
• Airlines: Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Tara Air (for remote routes)

Airports under construction or planned

• Nijgadh International Airport — Planned as Nepal’s largest airport, located in Bara district. Construction has been delayed for years due to environmental concerns. Not yet operational.

Practical tips for tourists

1. Always have small bills for taxis at the airport — drivers rarely have change for big notes.
2. Buy your SIM at the airport — Ncell or NTC have counters right after baggage claim. NPR 800–1,500 gets you 30 days with data.
3. Use the prepaid taxi counter at Tribhuvan to avoid haggling when you’re tired from a long flight.
4. Domestic transfers are not automatic at Tribhuvan — you must exit international, walk to the domestic terminal, and re-check in.
5. Pokhara now has direct international options — worth checking if you want to skip Kathmandu’s traffic on arrival.
6. Always carry your passport for domestic flights too — it’s required for ID.
7. Departure tax is now included in your ticket. You don’t pay it separately anymore.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is there a direct flight from the US or Europe to Nepal? No direct flights as of 2026. You’ll connect through Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok.

Q: Which airport for Mount Everest? Tribhuvan (KTM) for international, then Lukla (LUA) or Ramechhap (RHP) for the trek start.

Q: Which airport for Annapurna trekking? Pokhara International (PKR) is ideal. Otherwise, fly to Kathmandu (KTM) and take a 25-minute domestic hop to Pokhara.

Q: Which airport for Lumbini? Gautam Buddha International (BWA) — only 22 km away.

Q: How safe are Nepal’s domestic flights? Major carriers (Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines) have good safety records, but Nepal’s mountain airports are genuinely challenging. Choose reputable airlines and accept weather delays without pressuring pilots to fly.

Found this useful? Share it with anyone planning a trip to Nepal. Have a question I didn’t cover? Email me at info@nepalfacts.com — I update this guide whenever airport rules change.