Tribhuvan International Airport(TIA), Kathmandu

Tribhuvan International Airport (IATA: KTM) is the main and only international airport in Nepal, located in Kathmandu, the capital city. It serves as the entry and exit point for almost all international visitors, including trekkers, tourists, diplomats, and business travelers.

  • Distance from city center (Thamel): ~6 km (20-30 min by car)
  • Permits Required:TIMS card + National Park permits
  • Altitude: ~1,338 meters above sea level

Terminals

Terminal Use Facilities
International Terminal For all foreign flights Immigration, duty-free shops, currency exchange, lounges
Domestic Terminal For internal flights Local check-ins, smaller airlines, baggage claim
VIP Terminal For official delegates Private lounges and reception areas

Airlines & Destinations

International airlines operating from TIA include:

  • Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, FlyDubai, Air India, China Southern, Thai Airways, Korean Air, and more
  • Direct flights to: Doha, Dubai, Delhi, Bangkok, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Seoul, and more

Domestic carriers:

  • Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines, Guna Airlines
  • Connects to: Pokhara, Lukla, Bharatpur, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar, etc.

Facilities & Services

  • Visa on Arrival for most countries
  • ATMs & Currency Exchange booths
  • SIM Card Counters (Nepal Telecom, Ncell)
  • Free Wi-Fi in waiting lounges
  • Food & Beverage Outlets (basic but functional)
  • Taxis, ride-hailing (Pathao/InDrive) outside arrival zone
  • Prepaid Taxi Counter available

Travel Tips

  • Prepaid Taxi Counter available
  • Departure: Arrive at least 3 hours early for international flights
  • Luggage scanning happens at both entry and boarding points
  • Bring printed visa approval letters if applying on arrival
  • Currency exchange rates at the airport may be lower than in the city

Future Plans (for context)

Nepal is currently building two additional international airports:

  • Gautam Buddha International Airport (Bhairahawa) - Already operational
  • Pokhara International Airport - Also operational, but limited international flights

However, Tribhuvan remains the busiest and most reliable hub