One of the first decisions you will make after landing in Kathmandu, often before you have even left the airport, is how to get online. The good news is that staying connected in Nepal is genuinely cheap and easy. For roughly the price of a coffee back home, you can have fast mobile data in your pocket, which matters more than you might think: for messaging your guide, navigating with maps, calling your hotel, or video-calling home from a teahouse in the mountains.
This is our honest, up-to-date guide to getting a SIM card in Nepal as a tourist: which network to choose, what it costs, what you need to buy one, and whether an eSIM is worth it. Prices are approximate and can change, so treat the figures as a guide rather than gospel.
The two networks: Ncell vs NTC
Nepal has two main mobile operators worth your attention: Ncell and Nepal Telecom (also called NTC or Namaste). There is also Smart Cell, but for most tourists the real choice is between the first two, and which one is “best” depends entirely on where you are going.
Ncell is the better choice if you are spending most of your time in cities and popular spots: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Bhaktapur, Chitwan. Its 4G is consistently faster in urban areas, its app is tourist-friendly (you can top up with an international Visa or Mastercard without visiting a shop), and its staff tend to speak good English. If you want smooth video calls and quick uploads from the city, Ncell is the winner.
Nepal Telecom (NTC) is the better choice if you are heading into the high mountains. On the Everest and Annapurna trails, and in remote areas above the treeline, NTC’s government-backed network reaches places where other signals simply fail. Its city speeds can be patchier than Ncell’s, but for serious trekking, coverage beats speed every time.
Our honest tip: because SIMs are so cheap, many serious trekkers simply buy both, an Ncell for fast data in the cities and an NTC for reliable coverage on the trail. For a major trek, spending a few extra dollars on a second SIM is genuinely worth the peace of mind.
Where to buy your SIM card
You have a few options, and the most convenient is right where you land.
At Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu). As you come through into the arrivals hall, you will see branded counters for Ncell (purple) and NTC (blue/green) sitting next to each other. They are staffed by English-speaking agents used to helping tourists, and they stay open for almost all international arrivals, including late-night and early-morning flights. This is the easiest place to get connected the moment you land.
In the city. Shops in Thamel (Kathmandu) and Lakeside (Pokhara) sell SIMs too, often with a wider choice of plans and slightly lower prices than the airport. If you are not in a rush to get online, buying in town can save you a little money.
Airport prices are usually a touch higher than city shops, but for the convenience of walking out already connected, especially if you rely on data to reach your hotel or guide, most travellers find it well worth the few extra rupees.
What you need to buy one
Buying a SIM in Nepal is straightforward, but not instant, because government rules require every SIM to be registered. Come prepared with:
Your original passport. This is mandatory; they record your details for registration.
One or two passport-sized photos. If you do not have any, do not worry, the shops near the airport and in Thamel can take one for you on the spot for around NPR 50 to 100.
A completed registration form, which the shop provides.
The whole process takes roughly 5 to 20 minutes. Your SIM is registered, activated, and ready to use before you leave the counter.
What it costs
This is the best part: Nepal is one of the cheapest countries in the world for mobile data. As a rough guide:
The SIM card itself costs very little, often around NPR 100 to 150 (roughly USD 1).
A decent tourist data and call package typically runs from around NPR 500 to 1,500 (roughly USD 5 to 15), depending on how much data and how many days you want.
Both operators sell tourist-specific bundles (Ncell markets these as TouristPro packs) that combine generous data with some local and international call minutes and a validity of 15 or 30 days, all in one payment. For most visitors, one of these tourist packs is the simplest, best-value choice. Whichever you pick, a Nepal SIM is one of the best-value purchases of your entire trip.
Should you get an eSIM instead?
If your phone supports eSIM and you would rather skip the airport queue entirely, this is now a genuinely good option. Both Ncell and NTC support eSIM, and you can request one at the airport booth if your phone is compatible.
Even easier, international eSIM providers such as Airalo, Airhub and GOHUB sell Nepal data plans you can buy and set up before you fly, with prices starting from around USD 5 for a few gigabytes. These are data-only (no local phone number), they run on Nepal’s existing networks, and they mean you step off the plane already online with no shop, no form, and no photo needed.
Our honest take: for travellers staying mainly in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan who just want hassle-free data, an eSIM is excellent. For serious trekkers heading into remote high-altitude areas, a physical NTC SIM remains the most reliable choice for coverage where it counts. If in doubt, an eSIM for convenience plus an NTC SIM for the trek covers all bases.
A note on Wi-Fi
You will not be relying on mobile data every minute. Almost all hotels and guesthouses in Kathmandu and Pokhara offer free Wi-Fi, and many cafes and restaurants do too, though quality varies. On the trekking trails, many teahouses offer Wi-Fi for a small charge, but it is often slow and unreliable at altitude, which is exactly why a local SIM (especially NTC) is worth having.
Quick summary
Get an Ncell SIM if you are mostly in the cities and want the fastest data. Get an NTC SIM if you are trekking into remote mountains. Buy both if you are doing a big trek, they are cheap enough. Bring your passport and a photo, expect to spend a few dollars, and you can be online within twenty minutes of landing. Or skip the queue entirely with an eSIM bought before you fly.
Let us handle the rest
Staying connected is one small piece of a smooth trip to Nepal. The bigger pieces, your trekking permits, domestic flights, accommodation, licensed guides, and an itinerary built around what you actually want to see, are where we come in. If you are planning a trip to Nepal and want it organised properly, get in touch for a free, no-obligation itinerary within 24 hours. You might also like our guides to the best time to visit Nepal and our Annapurna treks.
Prices, packages and network details are set by Nepal’s mobile operators and can change. Treat the figures here as an approximate guide and confirm current plans at the point of sale.