A week-long Nepal trip from India costs between INR 15,000 and INR 45,000 per person, depending on your travel style. Nepal is one of the most affordable international destinations for Indian travellers — no visa required, the border is open, and the 1 INR = 1.6 NPR exchange rate works strongly in your favour. This guide breaks down every cost category in Indian Rupees so you can plan your budget with confidence.
How Much Does a Nepal Trip Cost Per Day?
Here is a realistic daily budget breakdown for three travel styles:
| Category | Backpacker (INR) | Mid-Range (INR) | Comfort (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 500–900 | 1,500–3,500 | 4,000–8,000 |
| Food (3 meals) | 400–600 | 800–1,500 | 1,500–3,000 |
| Local transport | 100–300 | 300–600 | 600–1,500 |
| Activities | 200–500 | 500–1,500 | 1,500–3,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 100–200 | 200–400 | 400–800 |
| Daily total | 1,300–2,500 | 3,300–7,500 | 8,000–16,300 |
These are per-person costs assuming double occupancy for accommodation. Solo travellers should add 30-50% for the accommodation category.
How Much Does Accommodation Cost in Nepal?
Accommodation is where your budget stretches the most. Nepal's hotel scene ranges from NPR 500 dormitory beds to NPR 50,000 luxury suites.
Budget (INR 500–900/night)
- What you get: Clean private room with attached bathroom, hot shower, WiFi, and often a rooftop
- Where: Thamel (Kathmandu), Lakeside (Pokhara), Sauraha (Chitwan)
- Examples: Guesthouses, backpacker lodges, family-run hotels
- Tip: Walk-in rates at budget guesthouses are often negotiable, especially for 3+ night stays
Mid-Range (INR 1,500–3,500/night)
- What you get: Modern room, air conditioning (in Terai), TV, restaurant, helpful travel desk
- Where: All major tourist areas
- Examples: 2-3 star hotels, boutique properties
- Tip: This is the sweet spot for most Indian tourists. You get genuine comfort without overpaying.
Comfort (INR 4,000–8,000/night)
- What you get: 4-star amenities, swimming pool (sometimes), spa, mountain/lake views, excellent restaurants
- Where: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Dhulikhel
- Tip: Off-season (June–August) rates drop by 40-60% at comfort-level hotels
Search Nepal hotels by budget on BookGarum →
How Much Does Food Cost in Nepal?
Nepal is a food lover's paradise on a budget:
Street Food & Local Eateries (INR 100–200/meal)
- Momos (steamed dumplings): NPR 100–200 for a plate of 10 — Nepal's national snack
- Dal Bhat (lentil soup, rice, vegetables, pickle): NPR 200–350 for unlimited refills at local restaurants
- Thukpa (noodle soup): NPR 150–250 — perfect for cold evenings
- Chowmein: NPR 100–200 — available everywhere
Tourist Restaurants (INR 300–600/meal)
- Western food (pizza, pasta, burgers) in Thamel and Lakeside: NPR 400–800
- Indian food (thali, paneer, biryani): NPR 300–600 — widely available in tourist areas
- Coffee shop culture is thriving: NPR 150–300 for a proper espresso
Fine Dining (INR 800–1,500/meal)
- Upscale restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara serve Nepali, Indian, and continental cuisine
- A full dinner with drinks at a top restaurant: NPR 2,000–3,000
Money-saving tip: Eat dal bhat for lunch. It is filling (unlimited refills are standard), nutritious, and authentic. Save restaurant meals for dinner.
How Much Does Transport Cost Within Nepal?
Long-Distance Transport
| Route | Tourist Bus (INR) | Local Bus (INR) | Domestic Flight (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu → Pokhara | 500–750 | 300–400 | 3,000–6,000 |
| Kathmandu → Chitwan | 500–750 | 300–400 | 3,000–5,000 |
| Pokhara → Chitwan | 450–600 | 250–350 | — |
| Kathmandu → Lumbini | 600–800 | 350–450 | — |
Tourist buses are the best value for comfort. They depart early morning, have reclining seats, and include a lunch stop. Book through your hotel or any travel agency.
Local buses are half the price but significantly less comfortable — crowded, no AC, and they stop frequently. Only recommended for adventurous budget travellers.
Domestic flights are worth the splurge for Kathmandu–Pokhara (25 minutes versus 7 hours by bus), especially if you are short on time. The mountain views from the plane are spectacular.
Local Transport in Cities
- Taxi (Kathmandu): NPR 300–500 for most trips within the city. Always agree on the fare before getting in, or insist on the metre.
- Pathao/InDrive (ride-hailing apps): Cheaper and more transparent than taxis. Available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Local buses: NPR 15–30 per ride. Extremely cheap but confusing for tourists — routes are not well marked.
- Bicycle rental (Pokhara): NPR 300–500/day. The best way to explore Lakeside at your own pace.
How Much Do Entry Fees and Activities Cost?
| Activity | Cost (NPR) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Chitwan National Park entry (SAARC) | 200 | 125 |
| Chitwan jeep safari | 3,000–5,000 | 1,875–3,125 |
| Paragliding in Pokhara | 7,000–9,000 | 4,375–5,625 |
| Phewa Lake boating (1 hour) | 500–800 | 310–500 |
| Bungee jumping (The Last Resort) | 10,000 | 6,250 |
| Everest scenic flight | 15,000–20,000 | 9,375–12,500 |
| Kathmandu Durbar Square entry | 200 (SAARC) | 125 |
| Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) | 200 | 125 |
| Davis Falls, Pokhara | 50 | 30 |
SAARC discount: Indian nationals pay the SAARC rate at national parks and many monuments — significantly cheaper than the full foreign national rate. Always carry your Indian ID.
What Are the Best Money-Saving Tips for Nepal?
- Travel overland, not by air: The Kathmandu–Pokhara bus ride is scenic and costs INR 500 versus INR 4,000+ for a flight
- Eat dal bhat for lunch: Unlimited refills, NPR 200–350, and you will not be hungry until dinner
- Negotiate guesthouse rates: Walk-in rates for 3+ nights are often 20-30% cheaper
- Use Pathao for city transport: Cheaper and more transparent than taxis
- Travel in shoulder season: March and November offer good weather with lower prices than peak October
- Carry smaller INR notes: Rs. 100, 200, and 500 (old) notes. Rs. 500 (new) and Rs. 2,000 notes are not accepted in Nepal
- Buy trekking gear in Thamel: Cheap (often counterfeit but functional) trekking gear — do not bring expensive gear from India
- Share jeep safaris in Chitwan: Shared jeeps cost NPR 3,000 versus NPR 15,000+ for private
- Drink water from filtered stations: Many tourist areas have purified water refill stations for NPR 20–30. Avoid buying plastic bottles.
- Book online for guaranteed rates: Peak season walk-in rates can be inflated. Book on BookGarum for verified tariffs.
What Does a 5-Day Nepal Trip Look Like?
Itinerary 1: Classic Nepal (Budget — INR 12,000–15,000)
| Day | Activity | Estimated Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Kathmandu (bus from border). Explore Thamel, Durbar Square. | Hotel: 600, Food: 500, Entry: 125 |
| Day 2 | Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath. Night bus to Pokhara. | Hotel: —, Food: 500, Entry: 200, Bus: 500 |
| Day 3 | Pokhara: Phewa Lake boating, Davis Falls, Peace Pagoda. | Hotel: 700, Food: 500, Boat: 350 |
| Day 4 | Pokhara: Sarangkot sunrise, free day in Lakeside. | Hotel: 700, Food: 500, Taxi: 200 |
| Day 5 | Return to Kathmandu (tourist bus). Departure. | Food: 400, Bus: 500 |
| Total | ~INR 13,000 |
Itinerary 2: Nepal Triangle (Mid-Range — INR 30,000–35,000)
| Day | Activity | Estimated Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly to Kathmandu. Explore Thamel and Durbar Square. | Hotel: 2,000, Food: 1,000, Entry: 125 |
| Day 2 | Boudhanath, Pashupatinath. Fly to Pokhara (evening). | Hotel: 2,500, Food: 1,000, Flight: 4,000 |
| Day 3 | Paragliding, Phewa Lake sunset boating. | Hotel: 2,500, Food: 1,000, Paragliding: 5,000 |
| Day 4 | Bus to Chitwan. Afternoon canoe ride and Tharu cultural show. | Hotel: 2,000, Food: 800, Bus: 500, Activities: 1,000 |
| Day 5 | Morning jeep safari. Return to Kathmandu (tourist bus). | Food: 600, Safari: 2,500, Bus: 600 |
| Total | ~INR 32,000 |
Tips for Indian Tourists / भारतीय पर्यटकों के लिए टिप्स
- No visa, no passport needed: Aadhaar, Voter ID, or PAN is enough for Indian nationals
- Currency exchange: Get NPR at the border — money changers offer better rates than Kathmandu. Carry INR 100 and 200 notes.
- SIM card: Nepal Telecom and NCell tourist SIMs cost NPR 500 with 10 GB data. Buy at the airport or border.
- UPI in Nepal: Not directly accepted, but you can pay in INR via BookGarum's Razorpay gateway for hotels
- Insurance: Consider basic travel insurance even though Nepal does not require it for Indians. Medical emergencies in remote areas can be expensive.
- बजट यात्रियों के लिए नेपाल सबसे सस्ता अंतरराष्ट्रीय डेस्टिनेशन है
- दाल भात खाएं — सस्ता, स्वादिष्ट, और अनलिमिटेड रिफिल मिलता है
- नए 500 और 2000 के नोट नेपाल में नहीं चलते — छोटे नोट लेकर जाएं
Plan Your Budget Nepal Trip
Nepal rewards the budget-conscious traveller more than almost any country in the world. With careful planning, you can experience ancient temples, Himalayan mountains, jungle safaris, and warm hospitality — all for less than a weekend trip to Goa.
Search affordable Nepal hotels on BookGarum →
Related reads: