APPS YOU MUST HAVE BEFORE LANDING IN KATHMANDU

Welcome to Kathmandu. Chaotic, charming, often-smoky, always full of surprises. If it’s your first time here, the little practical wins will make your trip so much smoother. Below are essential things to do right after you land. I’ll include local apps and services you’ll actually use SIMs, wallets, maps, transport and more.

 

Just Landed in Kathmandu? Do This in Order

 

Buy a SIM card + Data Pack

Buy a prepaid SIM at Tribhuvan International Airport (there are official counters right after arrivals) or at any official NTC / Ncell shop in town. Staff will register the SIM for you (bring passport and visa). If you want to skip queueing for a physical SIM, eSIM options exist too — but having a physical SIM is simple and cheap.

 

• • NTC: Website | NTC App – Android | iOS
    
  • Ncell: Website | Ncell App – Android | iOS
    💡 Tip: Choose a pack (5–10GB is safe for city stays + travel apps).

 

 

Install & Top-Up a Digital Wallet (for QR payment, bookings)

Nepal is thriving on digital wallets, eSewa and Khalti are the biggest, and both let you top up, pay via QR, book flights, and buy tourist-bus tickets. These apps can save you time by allowing you to pay for restaurants, hotels, movie tickets, or book flights/buses directly within the app.

 

• • eSewa: Website | Android | iOS
    
  • Khalti: Website | Android | iOS
    💡 Tip: Unverified (non-KYC) wallet accounts have transaction/balance limits, and regulators have tightened rules — it’s best to complete the quick KYC (ID + selfie) to unlock higher limits.

 

 

Download Navigation Apps (Better for Nepal)

Google/Apple Maps are okay, but Nepal-centric apps are better for alleyways, local “gallis” and house IDs. Baato focuses on landmark-based navigation and Nepali routes; Galli Maps is great for finding lanes and house numbers inside Kathmandu Valley. Maps.me is a strong offline fallback if you’ll be trekking or going off-grid. Download at least two so you always have navigation.

 

• • Baato: Website | Android | iOS
    
  • Galli Maps: Website | Android | iOS
    
  • Maps.me: Website | Android | iOS
    💡 Tip: Download offline maps before leaving the airport Wi-Fi.

 

 

Add HamroPatro for Nepali Calendar & Holidays

HamroPatro shows the Nepali calendar (tithi, festivals), news, forex rates and event info — handy if you want to know local holidays, puja dates, or plan around major closures.

 

• • Website | Android | iOS
    

 

 

Set Up Food Delivery for Convenience

Foodmandu is Nepal’s original food-delivery service and covers Kathmandu and other cities — useful when you land tired or need food late. Other local apps (Pathao food, Bhoj) also exist; wallets like eSewa/Khalti often integrate food and delivery payments.

 

• • Foodmandu: Website | Android | iOS
  • Pathao: Website | Android | iOS
  • Bhoj: Website | Android | iOS

 

 

Get a Ride App for Airport → Hotel

Tootle (bike), Pathao (bike & car) and inDrive are popular for navigating Kathmandu’s traffic and narrow streets. They’re cheaper and safer than random street taxis. You can choose a bike or a car depending on the luggage. Most apps accept wallet/QR or card payment.

 

• • Pathao: Website | Android | iOS
    
  • inDrive: Website | Android | iOS
  • Tootle: Android (no iOS)
    💡 Tip: Airport taxi counters are prepaid — safer if you’re not using ride-hailing.

 

 

Withdraw or Exchange Some NPR Cash

 

• • ATMs are in the arrival hall.
  • Licensed exchange counters are available. Compare rates before exchanging large amounts.