Dollars and Cents

All major banks in Nepal exchange convertible hard currencies into Nepalese rupees. There is an exchange counter in the Kathmandu airport where you can convert your money in to Nepalese Rupees. Remember to keep your Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transfering foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank therefore do not change more than you really need.

Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency. US dollar travellers checks can be purchased from American Express at Durbar Marg and other major banks in Kathmandu.

Besides banks, there are licensed money exchangers in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Sunauli. These money exchangers have rates marginally better than banks, but the commissions are higher. So check before you exchange your money. The advantage of having these money exchangers to banks are that they open for long hours, typically from 9am to 7pm.

It is important to retain your exchange receipts in order to apply for visa extension and re-conversion of left-over Nepalese rupees when you leave Nepal.

Exchange rates are published in English dailies such as The Rising Nepal and The Kathmandu Post. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa.

Please chek our online currency exchange tool [updated daily] to convert your currency into Nepalese Rupees.

Credit cards
Manybusinesses have started accepting payments in credit cards. It is, however, a fairly recent phenomenon, and cards other than Visa and Mastercard may not be accepted in most places. However, addtional3%-5% of the transaction cost is added on purchase made with credit cards.

ATM Machines
Commercial Banks such as Himalyan Bank and Grindlays bank have installed ATM machine's in Thamel, Kantipath and in Bishalbazaar.

Major Banks of Nepal