Is cash still widely used?
Yes, widely. Nepal’s economy is predominantly cash-based. In Kathmandu’s tourist districts (Thamel, Patan) some restaurants and shops accept cards, but trekking routes, mountain villages, teahouses, and most local businesses are entirely cash-dependent.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs are available in Kathmandu and Pokhara but often have queues and run out of cash. Standard Chartered and Himalayan Bank ATMs are generally the most reliable for foreign cards.
- Fees are around 500 NPR per withdrawal for foreign cards
- Withdrawal limits are often low — around 10,000-35,000 NPR per transaction
- Withdraw plenty of cash in Kathmandu before starting any trek
Card acceptance
Limited. Some tourist-facing hotels, restaurants, and shops in Kathmandu and Pokhara accept Visa and Mastercard, often with a 3-4% surcharge. Everywhere else is cash-only.
Tips for travelers
- Carry enough rupees for your full trekking duration — no ATMs on most routes
- Indian rupees are also accepted in some border areas, but at poor rates
- Keep small denomination notes for teahouses and village shops
- Nepal rupees cannot be exchanged back to major currencies easily — don’t over-exchange