Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the largest city in a bowl-shaped valley ringed by green hills, with the snow peaks of the Himalaya visible on clear days. Temples, stupas and royal squares stand among busy lanes, and the city is the starting point for treks, mountain flights and journeys to Pokhara and Chitwan. Travellers from Malaysia fly here to visit family, to trek, or simply to see one of Asia's great heritage cities. Searching flights to Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Traveloka lets you compare fares from Kuala Lumpur and other departure points, with or without a stop.

About Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu

Tribhuvan International Airport (code KTM) is Nepal's main international gateway and the busiest airport in the country. It serves both international routes and a large network of domestic flights to towns across the mountains and plains.

Location

The airport lies on the eastern side of Kathmandu, close to the Pashupatinath temple area and the neighbourhood of Sinamangal. Thamel, the traveller district, and the old city centre are to the west, a short taxi ride away when traffic is light.

Terminals

International and domestic flights use separate terminal buildings that sit next to each other on the same site. If you are connecting to a domestic flight, for example to Pokhara or Lukla, you will need to collect your bags, exit and walk or ride across to the domestic terminal, so leave a generous gap between flights.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis are the most common way into Kathmandu. A prepaid taxi counter inside the arrival hall lets you fix the fare before you leave, and ride-hailing apps also operate in the city. Many accommodations in Thamel and elsewhere offer airport pick-ups on request. Public buses and microbuses pass along the main road outside, but they are crowded and hard to use with luggage.

Direct and connecting flights to Kathmandu

Kuala Lumpur has non-stop services to Kathmandu, and the route is popular with the large Nepali community living and working in Malaysia. From other Malaysian cities, you will usually connect through Kuala Lumpur or another regional hub. On the results page, use the direct-flight filter to show only non-stop options, and compare arrival times: landing in daylight makes the ride into town easier and gives you a chance to see the mountains on approach. Search from KUL to KTM and then compare nearby dates using the price chart on this page.

When to fly to Kathmandu

Autumn, roughly from October to November, is the classic season. The monsoon rains have cleared the air, skies are often sharp and blue, and the Himalayan views are at their best. It is also the time of Dashain and Tihar, Nepal's biggest festivals, when many Nepali workers in Malaysia fly home and seats fill fast.

Spring, from March to May, brings warm days and rhododendrons blooming on the hills, though haze can soften the mountain views. The monsoon, from about June to September, means heavy afternoon rain and landslides on some mountain roads, and winter mornings in the valley are cold and sometimes foggy. From Malaysia, school holidays, Hari Raya and the year-end break also add demand. Booking early and setting a Price Alert helps around festival periods.

Popular places in Kathmandu

Kathmandu Durbar Square

The old royal square in the heart of the city is filled with pagoda-roofed temples, carved wooden windows and the former palace. It is also home to the Kumari, the living goddess, whose carved courtyard visitors can step into.

Swayambhunath

Often called the Monkey Temple, this stupa sits on a hill west of the centre. A long flight of steps leads up to the whitewashed dome and its painted eyes, with wide views over the valley at the top.

Boudhanath

One of the largest stupas in the world, Boudhanath is the centre of Tibetan Buddhist life in Kathmandu. Pilgrims walk clockwise around it, spinning prayer wheels, while cafés on the surrounding rooftops look down on the scene.

Pashupatinath

This sacred Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River is one of the most important Shiva shrines in South Asia. Only Hindus may enter the main temple, but visitors can watch the riverside rituals from the opposite bank.

Bhaktapur and Patan

The valley's two other royal cities each have their own Durbar Square. Bhaktapur is known for pottery squares and quiet brick lanes, while Patan is famous for its metalwork and a fine museum of sacred art.

Where to stay in Kathmandu

Thamel is the busiest area for travellers, packed with guesthouses, trekking shops, restaurants and nightlife, and it is well placed for walking to Durbar Square. Lazimpat and the embassy district just north offer quieter streets with a mix of mid-range and upscale stays. Boudha suits those who want to wake up near the great stupa, and Patan, across the river in Lalitpur, gives a calmer, more local base with heritage courtyards. Families visiting relatives often choose areas close to their hosts, since Kathmandu traffic can make long cross-city journeys slow.

Food to try in Kathmandu

Momo

Nepal's much-loved dumplings, filled with buffalo, chicken or vegetables and served steamed, fried or in a spicy soup. Every street has a stall, and a plate is the classic afternoon snack.

Dal bhat

The national meal of lentil soup and rice, served with vegetable curry, pickles and often meat. Refills are usually offered, which is why trekkers call it fuel for the mountains.

Thukpa

A warming Tibetan-style noodle soup with vegetables or meat, especially welcome on cool winter evenings in the valley.

Yomari

A Newari sweet of steamed rice-flour dough shaped like a fig and filled with molasses and sesame. It is traditionally made in winter around the Yomari Punhi festival.

Sel roti

A ring-shaped, lightly sweet fried rice bread, eaten at breakfast and made in large batches during Tihar.

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