No visa, an open border and familiar food - Nepal is the easiest foreign trip for Indians. Here is what to carry, how money and phones work, and which border to use.
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For Indian travellers, Nepal is the easiest foreign holiday there is. There is no visa, the border is open, the food is familiar and Hindi is widely understood. A little preparation still makes the trip smoother - here is our practical checklist, based on the questions our guests ask most often.
Documents: What Indians Need
Indian citizens do not need a visa for Nepal. You do need a valid photo identity document, and the two that are accepted without question are:
- A valid Indian passport, or
- A Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of India.
The Aadhaar card is not accepted as a travel document for Nepal. Children and senior citizens have some relaxations, but rules are updated from time to time, so check the latest advisory from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu before you travel. Airlines in particular insist on a passport or Voter ID for every adult.
Crossing the Border by Road
The India - Nepal border is open, and Indian citizens do not receive an entry stamp. The most popular crossings are:
- Sunauli - Belahiya (Bhairahawa): about 95 km from Gorakhpur, the most convenient crossing for Lumbini, Pokhara and Kathmandu (see our Nepal tour package from Gorakhpur guide).
- Raxaul - Birgunj: the main crossing from Bihar towards Kathmandu.
- Rupaidiha - Nepalgunj and Banbasa - Mahendranagar: for western Nepal.
- Jogbani - Biratnagar and Panitanki - Kakarbhitta: for eastern Nepal.
If you drive your own Indian-registered vehicle, you must buy a Bhansar (customs) permit at the border, charged per day. Nepal drives on the left, just like India, though mountain roads call for patience.
Flying to Nepal
Kathmandu has direct flights from several Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa, close to the Sunauli border, is another gateway for the Lumbini region.
Money: Indian Rupees in Nepal
The Nepali rupee is pegged to the Indian rupee at a fixed rate of 1 INR = 1.6 NPR. Indian notes of ₹100 and smaller are accepted almost everywhere. Higher-denomination Indian notes have long been restricted in Nepal, so carry plenty of ₹100 notes or change money at a bank or licensed money changer. ATMs are common in Kathmandu and Pokhara, and cards work in larger hotels and shops.
Phones & Internet
Indian mobile roaming works but is expensive. A local SIM from Nepal Telecom (NTC) or Ncell costs little and can be bought at the airport or in town with your ID and a photo. Hotels and cafes in the cities offer free Wi-Fi.
Small Things That Help
Temple Etiquette
- Remove your shoes before entering temples and monasteries.
- Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels.
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
- Some shrines, including the inner courtyard of Pashupatinath, are open only to Hindus.
- Ask before photographing people, rituals or cremation ghats.
Planning your first trip? Our Short Kathmandu Getaway and Kathmandu - Pokhara Tour can start from Gorakhpur by road, with the border formalities handled by our team.
Nepal Trip Holiday Travel Desk
The same team that plans and operates our tours across Nepal, India and Bhutan. Questions about this guide? Call or WhatsApp us on +91 63071 02408 - we are happy to help.
