International Flights to Nepal: Best Airlines and Travel Route

The only international airport of Nepal, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, serves as the entry point through which people from diverse nations can explore the nation, which features Himalayan scenery and cultural richness. The primary connection point of TIA offers direct routes between Nepal and major cities of Asia and the Middle East as well as worldwide destinations for adventurous travelers, religious visitors, and business personnel.

Many international airlines run both straight and connection services to Nepal through their flights with Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air India, and Nepal Airlines. Kathmandu flight routes at Doha, Istanbul, Dubai, Delhi, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur provide residents of North America, Europe, and Australia with flight connections through one or two stopovers.

The cost of flights together with the number of available seats differs throughout the year due to seasonal changes because trekking and tourism demand increases from March to May and September to November. Travelers must book their flights in advance when visiting during peak times because ticket supply gets limited. Visitors need to check all necessary visa specifications as well as baggage guidelines and standard airport protocols for arrival.

Additional development projects need to be carried out to enhance the international travel infrastructure of Nepal resulting in occasional delays or congestion at the airport for local and international travelers. Tourists should endure the lengthy journey to Nepal since its stunning landscapes and various attractions in the distance make it an adventure worth trying.

Entering Nepal

The Himalayan country of Nepal has advanced its global aviation network to deliver better international travel options along with its renowned mountains pleasant local customs and generous welcoming practices. Three international airports serve visitors to enter Nepal:

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) – Kathmandu

The main international airport of Nepal known as Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) operates as the foremost gateway for international travelers in the center of Kathmandu. Tourists along with trekkers and business visitors depend on this location as their primary access point since it handles most flights that arrive from abroad through Nepal.

Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu)

Key Features:

Major international carriers such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air India, Emirates, Nepal Airlines, and Singapore Airlines utilize TIA Airport to provide passenger connections between their flights and Doha, Dubai, Delhi, Bangkok, Istanbul, and Kuala Lumpur.
Nepal offers a Visa on Arrival service to visitors coming from most foreign countries who can get their permits upon entering the country.
This airport functions as the primary point for domestic aviation serving the needs of visitors heading to trekking destinations including Everest Base Camp, Annapurna, and Mustang.
The airport possesses currency exchange counters alongside lounges and duty-free shopping areas and restaurants alongside continuous construction efforts to enhance passenger comfort levels.
Delay risks at baggage claim areas usually escalate when travel occurs during peak trekking seasons that span spring and autumn months thus requiring visitors to be patient.
Travelers should select TIA because the airport provides the broadest selection of worldwide flights and simple access to major cultural sites together with historical landmarks and adventure attractions in Nepal.

Pokhara International Airport (PIA)

In 2023 Nepal established its second international airport Pokhara International Airport (PIA) within the country's premier tourist destination. Tourists consider Pokhara their entry point to the Annapurna region because it provides broad access to trekking trails along with breathtaking Himalayan mountain vistas.

Pokhara International Airport - Pokhara

Key Features:

Tourists now reach Pokhara city center from the adventure activities and trekking and leisure destinations in 11 km short distance.
This airport primarily serves direct international flights from South and Southeast Asia territories yet its international services remain under development.
Pokhara International Airport serves as a suitable airport choice because it eases heavy traffic congestion at Tribhuvan International Airport and provides alternative access to travelers who wish to steer clear of Kathmandu's traffic jams.
The site sits near highly regarded local attractions such as Phewa Lake as well as adventure venues including World Peace Pagoda and paragliding and ultra-light flying services at Sarangkot.
The development of international connectivity at Pokhara International Airport shows promise for industry efficiency improvements that benefit travelers visiting the Annapurna Base Camp Trek along with Mardi Himal Trek and Upper Mustang.

Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) – Lumbini

Located 19 km from Lumbini in Bhairahawa, Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) serves as the second fully operational international airport of Nepal which mainly supports Buddhist pilgrims alongside those traveling to western Nepal. The birthplace of Lord Buddha which is Lumbini functions as a UNESCO World Heritage Site welcoming people from throughout the world.

Gautam Buddha International Airport - Bhairahawa

Key Features:

The facility meets the needs of long-distance international routes by serving direct flights toward Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan and Myanmar which have Buddhist majorities.
The new international airport serves to lower dependence on Tribhuvan International Airport thus opening an additional access point for foreign travelers.
The facility adopts a dual purpose to support both religious tourist groups who want to access Lumbini's shrines and meditation facilities.
Travelers can conveniently reach this airport because it stands close to the Nepal-India border.
The Greater Buddha International Airport will serve as a significant tourism driver for Nepal by increasing pilgrims and cultural and environmental tourists in western Nepal.

Choosing the Right Entry Point

The international airports of Nepal classify visitors through distinct travel categories. This step-by-step process helps identify which airport entry point in Nepal will work best for your visit:

The choice of airport for trekking and sightseeing tourism and general visitors should be Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu since it offers a wide range of flights with domestic connections.
The Pokhara International Airport (PIA) stands as the easiest choice for visitors traveling to both the Annapurna region and Pokhara yet it offers restricted international flight services.
The Gautam Buddha International Airport delivers the most expedient travel experience from international departure points to religious sites at Lumbini.

The expanding number of operating airports creates novel transportation connections for Nepal that allow guests to experience exceptional sites and traditional values with local hospitality through enhanced accessibility.

Air Routes to Enter Nepal

The air traffic network of Nepal continues to grow progressively because multiple international carriers perform scheduled flights at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu.

The following information covers several airlines and their standard Nepal flight routes together with their usual flight frequencies. Flight schedules for Nepal can be found through airlines directly but seasonal variations and demand levels may affect the timetables.

Qatar Airways

Route: Doha (DOH) to Kathmandu (KTM)

Frequency: Operates daily flights between Doha and Kathmandu.

Nepal Airlines

Routes: Kathmandu (KTM) to various international destinations, including:

Delhi (DEL)
Mumbai (BOM)
Bangalore (BLR)
Kolkata (CCU)
Bangkok (BKK)
Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Dubai (DXB)
Doha (DOH)

Frequency: Varies by destination; multiple flights per week to major cities.

Thai Smile

Route: Bangkok (BKK) to Kathmandu (KTM)

Frequency: Operates several flights weekly; check the airline's schedule for exact days.

Turkish Airlines

Route: Istanbul (IST) to Kathmandu (KTM)

Frequency: Offers three flights per week between Istanbul and Kathmandu.

Flydubai

Route: Dubai (DXB) to Kathmandu (KTM)

Frequency: Provides regular flights; frequency may vary.

Air India

Routes: Delhi (DEL) to Kathmandu (KTM)

Frequency: Operates daily flights on this route.

Vistara Airlines

Route: Delhi (DEL) to Kathmandu (KTM)

Frequency: Offers multiple flights per week; check the airline's schedule for details.

IndiGo

Routes: Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), and other Indian cities to Kathmandu (KTM)

Frequency: Operates daily flights from major Indian cities.

Himalaya Airlines

Routes: Kathmandu (KTM) to various international destinations, including:

Doha (DOH)
Dammam (DMM)
Dubai (DXB)
Kuala Lumpur (KUL)

Frequency: Multiple flights per week to these destinations.

Buddha Air

Route: Kathmandu (KTM) to Varanasi (VNS)

Frequency: Increased to three times a week during the festival season.