ATM Fees in Nepal
Nepalese Rupee (NPR) • Updated April 2026
Nepal is largely cash-based. Card acceptance is limited to tourist hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Cash essential for trekking. ATMs available in cities but not on treks.
Tips for Nepal
- • Cash essential for trekking
- • Cards only at tourist hotels in cities
- • Withdraw enough before heading to mountains
- • ATMs often have low withdrawal limits (10,000-35,000 NPR), requiring multiple transactions
- • Nabil Bank and Standard Chartered reliable
- • Carry enough for entire trek duration
- • QR Code payments (Fonepay) are popular but often require local bank apps, not foreign wallets
Airport tips
- • Kathmandu airport has ATMs
- • Get cash immediately for taxis
- • Airport exchange rates are poor
Don't forget your home bank fees
The fees shown above are charged by local ATMs. Your home bank may also charge additional fees for international withdrawals (typically 1-3% + a flat fee). Check with your bank before traveling.
Estimated daily expenses
How much cash you might need per day in Nepal, per person.
Backpacker
Hostels, street food, public transport
NPR/day
≈ $13.51-35.81 USD
Mid-range
Hotels, restaurants, mix of transport
NPR/day
≈ $56.09-122 USD
Luxury
Premium hotels, fine dining, private transport
NPR/day
≈ $182-446 USD
Cash vs card acceptance
Where you'll need cash and where cards work in Nepal.
Credit card acceptance
LowCash-based economy. Cards only at upscale hotels in main cities. QR payments (Fonepay) require local bank apps.
You'll need cash for
- • Trekking (all)
- • Local restaurants
- • Transport
- • Markets
- • Most hotels
Cards usually accepted
- • Upscale hotels in Kathmandu/Pokhara
- • Some tourist restaurants
- • Trekking agencies (some)
💰 Cheapest banks for foreign cards
These banks charge the lowest fees for withdrawals with foreign cards.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nabil Bank | 500-800 NPR | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~4.00 USD | 80 | Reliable for foreigners, low limits (10,000-35,000 NPR) |
| Standard Chartered | 500-800 NPR | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~4.00 USD | 20 | Reliable, low withdrawal limits |
| Himalayan Bank | 500-800 NPR | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~4.00 USD | 60 | Good option |
📍 Most widely available ATMs
Sorted by number of ATM locations. More branches means easier access, but fees may be higher.
| Bank | ATM Fee | Est. Cost | Branches | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nabil Bank | 500-800 NPR | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~4.00 USD | 80 | Best coverage |
| Himalayan Bank | 500-800 NPR | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~4.00 USD | 60 | Good network |
| Standard Chartered | 500-800 NPR | 0% | Visa/MC rate | ~4.00 USD | 20 | Kathmandu focus |