Kathmandu, officially Kathmandu Metropolitan City, is the capital and the most populous city of Nepal. It’s a home to multi-ethnic populations, where Hindu and Buddhists are the majority. Most of them speak Nepali–their mother tongue, followed by Newari, Tamang, Maithili, Bhojpuri, and many more.

Kathmandu has been the center of Nepal’s history, art, culture, and economy. Various religious and cultural festivities are a part of the Nepali identity; this is why it’s ranked as the third among top ten upcoming travel destinations in the world. Its popularity of religious artworks and the city’s landscapes are what attracts both domestic and global tourists.

Flying to Kathmandu isn’t only a means of transportation, but also a fascinating experience of viewing the cityscape from above. When you approach Kathmandu, you’ll be welcomed by the majestic Himalayas, the towering peaks of Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. Getting close to Tribhuvan Airport, you’ll view lush greenery and hills dotted with ancient temples, pagodas, and other historical architecture. Below are some guidelines for you to plan flights to Kathmandu.

Aviation Facilities in Kathmandu

There are 2 aviation facilities serving Kathmandu, they are:

• Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)

Tribhuvan International Airport is the country’s main international airport, connecting Nepal to over 40 destinations in 17 countries. This airport is a hub for 2 international airlines: Nepal and Himalaya Airlines, operating both domestic and international terminals. It’s also considered as a starting point for Mount Everest international tourists. That’s why some airlines offer Mount Everest sightseeing flights from Kathmandu. A lounge, baby feeding room, restaurants and cafeteria, shuttle services, tea and confectionery shop, etc are amenities available in Tribhuvan Airport.

• Pokhara Airport (PKR)

Located 5 km away from Pokhara, Pokhara Airport is a domestic airport in Nepal. From this airport, you can already obtain picturesque views of mountain ranges, lakes, hills, and other landscapes. Because of its relatively small apron, it can only hold 8 propeller planes at once. This is also a diversion airport for Tribhuvan Airport in times of problems, like fog. Sita, Summit, and Tara Air are the airlines serving Pokhara to Jomsom.

Ideal Seasons to Explore Kathmandu

The ideal time to visit Kathmandu is during late September to December due to the view of pristine glaciers and the occurrence of local festivals. The dry weather during these months is suitable for exploration and trekking. Besides, you can explore Kathmandu in March and April as the temperature rises and the spring comes in. It’s when rhododendrons bloom across the valley, creating beautiful and breathtaking looks of the city.

Hotels near Kathmandu Airport Facilities

When you land for either Tribhuvan or Pokhara Airport, check out some hotels below for your stop-off:

1. Airport Hotel

Address: Airport Main Gate, Sinamangal, MadhyapurThimiN.P., Bhaktapur, Bāgmatī Zone, Nepal, 1059

Check-in and check-out times: from 2pm to 12am, before 12pm

Just a 2 minute walk from Tribhuvan Airport, Airport Hotel offers modern and functional 60 rooms and suites. They also have their own bakery shop, a cafe serving multiple cuisines for breakfast buffet and quick meals, and a rooftop restaurant accommodating 360-degree views of Kathmandu valleys and majestic Himalayas. Some historical landmarks are the main attractions around the area.

2. Apex Business Hotel

Address: Ring Road, Chakrapath, Sinamangal, MadhyapurThimiN.P., Bhaktapur, Bāgmatī Zone, Nepal, 44600

Check-in and check-out times: from 2pm before 12pm

Located only 100 meters away from Tribhuvan Airport, Apex Business Hotel prioritized luxury and unmatched hospitality to the guests by providing well-furnished rooms with ultra-modern amenities. They also offer tours, sightseeing, and transfers from the hotel. Sunny Dining and The Timmur Food and Drinks are the hotel culinary delights, serving a variety of cuisines, cocktails, and mocktails. As the name implies, Apex Business Hotel also provides a board room and event hall for high profile meetings, gatherings, parties, rituals, and weddings.

3. Mountain Glory Forest Resort

Address: Dovilla, Nirmal Pokhari, Kāskī, Gandakī Zone, Nepal, 33700

Check-in and check-out times: from 2pm before 12pm

As one of the luxurious resorts in Pokhara, Mountain Glory Forest Resort is like a small and peaceful kingdom surrounded by emerald hills and a winding river. In the middle of those beautiful and relaxing surroundings, you can take a dip in the resort’s expansive pool and jacuzzi. You’ll also be spoiled by other recreational facilities, such as a fitness center, table tennis, and pool table. If you want to complete your rejuvenating sessions, try to stroll along the nearby garden and biking trails.

Must-See Sights in Kathmandu

You won’t complete your Kathmandu’s trips if you don’t visit the city’s several top attractions below:

• Garden of Dreams

Address: P877+MR2, Tridevi Sadak, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Business hours: 9am to 9pm daily

Garden of Dreams is a neoclassical garden in Kaiser Mahal Kathmandu, Nepal. It’s a wide-ranging garden with 3 pavilions, an amphitheater, ponds, pergolas, and urns. However, it’s not only a typical European-style garden, but also a historically-connected architecture and landscape, making it a unique and great monument in South Asia. Stroll around and discover the garden’s treasures from many different viewpoints!

• Kopan Monastery

Address: P9V7+3X7 Ward 11, Budhanilkantha 44600, Nepal

Business hours: 10am to 4pm daily

Kopan Monastery was once a home of the astrologer to the king of Nepal, yet nowadays more than 300 monks, lamas, teachers, and workers from all areas of Nepal and Tibet are here. It’s one of the most-visited sites for tourists because it provides spiritual courses and retreats to help develop people’s full potential, infinite wisdom, and compassion. It’s the perfect environment for study and meditations.

• Boudhanath Stupa

Address: Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Business hours: 24 hours

Listed in UNESCO World’s Heritage, Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most popular attractions in Kathmandu. The stupa’s structure symbolizes 5 elements: earth, air, water, fire, and space; with the eyes of Buddha painted on the stupa signifying inscrutability, impassiveness, empathy, and shrewdness. Although it’s a holy place for Buddhists, many visitors come and pray in the stupa.

Necessary Arrangements for Visiting Kathmandu

There are certainly several things to keep in mind before planning trips to other places. In Kathmandu, you need to consider some things below:

• Avoid solo trekking–this is one of the city’s most crucial safety tips; if you travel alone, make sure to find guides or visit websites/platforms for fellow trekkers to be safe.
• Beware of the taxi scammers–always ask the drivers to charge you based on the taximeter, or make deals before you start the journey.
• Carry cash–depending on debit/credit cards alone is not feasible, especially in rural areas where the ATM machines are still scarce. It’s advisable to always have local currency on hand to ensure smooth transactions.
• Wear masks–Kathmandu is one of the most polluted cities in the world, so wearing masks while exploring the city is a must.
• Travel wisely–Kathmandu doesn’t really have efficient public transports, so you can roam around the city by taking taxis, but learn how to haggle and don’t forget to ask the drivers to turn on the taximeter before departing.
• Get on the Nepali times–Nepalis aren’t very strict about punctuality, so adapt yourself to it and always leave a little buffer time in between times.

Approaches to Booking Economical Flights to Kathmandu

Cost-effective travels are many people’s dreams. Starting from booking the flight tickets, here are several tips to find the economical ones:

• Flex your travel dates–since the flight prices change occasionally, flexibility of your travel dates enhance a bigger opportunity to find out economical flights.
• Set up price alerts–Traveloka will notify you through emails as the rates go down if you sign up for the price alerts.
• Find the low-cost carriers from your departing points
• Avoid peak seasons–try to travel during off-peak months to spend more reasonable expenses, since peak seasons create increase in flights, accommodations, and attractions rates.
• Include nearby airports–widen your search for Kathmandu flights by including nearby airports. From there, take ground transports to help you save more.

Now that you already know how to snag cheaper flight tickets to Kathmandu, the next step is open your Traveloka, look for the tickets, and book them right away! Don’t forget to secure your accommodations, too!