Flights between Nepal and India are readily available, given their close proximity and frequent travel demand. There are several airlines that operate flights between Nepal and various cities in India. Some of the popular airlines that offer flights from Nepal to India include:
Nepal's national carrier, Nepal Airlines, operates flights between Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) and major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. They offer direct flights without any layovers.
Air India, India's national carrier, operates flights between Kathmandu and several Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Varanasi. They provide both direct flights and flights with layovers, depending on the route.
IndiGo is a low-cost carrier based in India and operates flights between Kathmandu and major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. They offer direct flights as well as flights with layovers.
Vistara offers a full-service experience to its passengers. Depending on the fare class, services may include complimentary meals, in-flight entertainment, spacious seating, and a range of other amenities
In 2026, the most popular and frequent route is Kathmandu to Delhi, with over 150 direct flights daily. Major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and Nepal Airlines dominate this path, offering nonstop flights that take about 1 hour and 45 minutes. For those traveling to other major cities, direct connections are also available to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, though these may have slightly fewer frequencies than the primary Delhi corridor.
The cheapest month to fly from Kathmandu to India is typically August, with one-way fares on nepalcheapflights.com starting as low as NPR 12,000 ($90–$100). To secure the best rates, aim to book your tickets 6 to 8 weeks in advance and try to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, as weekend fares often jump by 15–20%. Avoid peak festival seasons like Dashain/Tihar (October/November) and major wedding dates, when demand causes prices to skyrocket.
No, Nepali citizens do not require a visa to enter, live, or work in India due to the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship. You can simply travel with a valid Nepali Passport or a Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of Nepal. If you are a third-country national residing in Nepal, you must apply for an e-Tourist Visa or a regular paper visa at the Indian Visa Service Centre in Kathmandu at least four days before your journey.
For city travel in 2026, the Metro systems in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are the fastest and most reliable options, especially with the newly opened "Golden Line" in Delhi. For intercity travel, the Indian Railways remains the backbone of the country; booking "Vande Bharat" express trains offers a modern, high-speed experience between major hubs. For short distances or quick city hops, ridesharing apps like Uber and Ola are essential, but always ensure you have a local SIM card for data access.
India offers a wide range of costs, but a comfortable mid-range budget in 2026 is approximately INR 3,000–5,000 ($35–$60) per day. This covers a decent hotel, two restaurant meals, and local transport via metro or cabs. Budget travelers can easily manage on INR 1,500–2,000 per day by staying in guesthouses and eating at local dhabas. Remember that while digital payments (UPI) are everywhere, travelers from Nepal should carry Physical Cash (INR) as UPI can be difficult to set up without an Indian bank account.
Most first-timers stick to the "Golden Triangle," which includes the historic sites of Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra, and the "Pink City" of Jaipur. In 2026, other top destinations include the spiritual ghats of Varanasi, the serene backwaters of Kerala, and the beaches of Goa. If you are looking for a shorter trip from Nepal, the religious circuit of Ayodhya and the hill stations of Sikkim or Darjeeling are excellent choices that are culturally familiar yet offer a unique Indian experience.
