Currency and Exchange Service

Nepal’s official currency is the Nepalese rupee (currency code: NPR). Travelers can expect to see prices in the country denoted by the symbols ₨ or NRs. Nepal’s banknotes are available in values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 500, and 1,000, varying in size according to their value. Rarely-used rupee notes of 1, 2, 25, and 250 also exist, but you may not come across these. Rupee coins are valued at 1, 2, 5, or 10 rupees, though the 5- and 10-rupee coins are also uncommon. One rupee can be divided into 100 paisa (p), represented by coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 paisa.

Places for exchanging Foreign Currency

The capital city of Kathmandu has many places from where you can get your foreign currencies traded. These include banks, authorized forex dealers, hotels, and the Tribhuvan International Airport. These places accept almost all of the major and minor currencies of the world. Well-known banks in the city include Everest Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal, Himalayan Bank, Nepal SBI Bank, East-West Money Exchange, Universal Money Exchange, and many others. Most banks are open between 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Fridays, and closed on Saturdays. There can be some fluctuations branch-wise.

ATM & CREDIT CARD

All major credit cards are generally accepted in leading hotels, restaurants, and department stores. The most accepted credit cards are Visa, and Master cards. Be aware that you might be charged up to 5 % extra bank fees. If you withdraw from the ATM machine, remember that the amount will usually be subject to a 3 - 10 % surcharge by the bank. Do not let your credit card out of your sight and never leave your card as a guarantee or security, to avoid any kind of fraud. If your credit card is lost or stolen, please contact your credit card company to cancel it immediately. Debit and ATM cards issued by a bank in your country can be used at ATM machines around Nepal to withdraw cash directly from your account back home.