Payment in
hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Nepal has
modern banking facilities and some of the International Banks have their own
offices in Kathmandu. Almost all foreign currencies along with credit cards such
as American Express, Visa and Master Card, etc. are accepted in Nepal at major
hotels, shops and restaurants.
Remember: Check your credit card expiration dates if you are leaving for an
extended journey.
All visitors are required to exchange their money through the bank or authorized
agents. In Kathmandu banks have money exchange counters. These facilities to
change money are quick and convenient. We are told it is necessary to ask for
receipts when money is changed. On the return journey, if you are left with
Nepalese rupees, they can exchange 10% against exchange receipts to about 10 or 12
different kinds of foreign currency at the Tribhuvan International Airport
Kathmandu.
Note: Retain Rs. 1000 for airport tax when departing Nepal by air.
Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency. US dollar traveler's checks can be purchased from American Express at Durbar Marg and other major banks in
Kathmandu. Banks typically charge 1% of the face value to cash traveler's checks.
When traveling around Nepal, change large bills whenever you can. Taxis, Bicycle Rickshaws and small shops seldom have small bills. Do not be afraid to ask local shops for change, but expect to ask three or four before someone can/will change your large bill.
ATM
There are no international ATM's in Nepal as of Oct 7, 1999.
Banks
Banks are open 10 am to 2:30 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 10 am to 12 pm on Friday. Nepal Bank Ltd. on New Road (Ph: 221185) is open 7 am to 7 pm all days of the week. The Kantipath branch (Ph: 227375) is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, and closed on Sunday. Rastriya Banijya Bank exchange counter at Bishal Bazaar (Ph: 228335) is open 10 am to 3 pm daily except holidays.
Nepal Bangladesh Bank at Ramshah Path (Ph: 419297) is open 10 am to 3 pm, and its branch at New Road (Ph: 217541) is open till 7 pm. Nepal Grindlays Bank branch at Thamel (Ph: 233128) is open 10 am to 4:15 pm for credit card services. Counters of Himalayan Bank at Thamel (Ph: 227749) and Bishal Bazaar (Ph: 224787) are open 8 am to 8 pm, closed on Saturdays. Other banks are Nepal Arab Bank, Kantipath (Ph: 227181); Nepal SBI Bank, Durbar Marg (Ph: 225326); Everest Bank, New Baneswar (Ph: 214878); Nepal Indosuez Bank, Durbar Marg (Ph: 228229); Nepal Sri Lanka Merchant Bank, Bagh Bazar (Ph: 227555) and the Bank of
Kathmandu, Kamaladi (Ph: 418068). The counters of licensed money changers are open 12 hours a day.
Currency and Exchange Rates
Exchange rates are published in English daily newspapers such as The Rising Nepal and The Kathmandu Post. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100
paisa.
Note: Indian rupees are excepted and freely convertible in Nepal. 100 Indian Rupees = 160 Nepali Rupees. Do not worry about exchanging your Indian currency when traveling north into Nepal.
Wiring Money
Money can be wired through Western Union (costly, but efficiently), Money Gram (cheaper) or through banks (very tedious and sometimes timely). Major Nepal banks use the SWIFT system, in place of the older telex systems, to negotiate wire transfers. The major banks also have accounts in New York and other world banking centers to expedite transfers.
