
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, Nepal offers tourists the option to purchase SIM cards on arrival. Several retailers are located inside the terminal near the arrival exits, including Nepal Telecom and Ncell. Tourists can obtain a free SIM card from Nepal Telecom, but it does not include any credit. It is recommended to bring your passport, Nepali rupees or an international credit card, and a photo for registration. Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are inexpensive in Nepal, and they can also be purchased online or in Kathmandu city center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport | Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) |
| Location of SIM card shops | Inside the terminal near arrival exits |
| Shops timings | 9 am-5:30 pm |
| SIM card cost | 100-150 Nepali rupees |
| Accepted payment methods | Nepali rupees, Visa, Mastercard |
| Documents required | Passport, photocopies of passport, passport photos |
| Carriers | Nepal Telecom, Ncell, NepalSim, SmartCell, Airalo |
| Online options | Nepal eSIM, Amazon, SimOptions, Holafly, Airalo |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- SIM card shops at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) are not open 24 hours
- Tourists can get a free SIM card from Nepal Telecom at KTM airport, but it comes without credit
- To buy a SIM card at the airport, you need a passport, Nepali rupees, and a photo
- SIM cards at KTM airport cost 100-150 Nepali rupees
- Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are cheap in Nepal

SIM card shops at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) are not open 24 hours
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Nepal offers a convenient way for tourists to purchase a SIM card upon arrival. Several retailers are located inside the terminal, including the two main operators, Ncell and Nepal Telecom, who have counters near the exits. However, it is important to note that the SIM card shops at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) are not open 24 hours.
The Ncell store at the airport typically operates from 9 am to 5:30 pm daily, and other carriers follow a similar schedule. Therefore, if you arrive late at night, you may need to wait until the next morning to purchase a SIM card at the airport. Alternatively, you can consider ordering a SIM card online before your flight or signing up for a Nepal eSIM plan.
To purchase a SIM card at Tribhuvan Airport, you will need to provide a few documents for registration. Firstly, you must present your passport for identity verification. Secondly, SIM cards must be paid for in Nepali rupees, so ensure you have the local currency or an international credit card, such as Visa or Mastercard, as these are accepted. Additionally, having a photo ready is advisable, although a quick photo can be taken at the kiosk for a small fee if needed.
The cost of a SIM card at Tribhuvan Airport is approximately 100 to 150 Nepali rupees. Tourists can obtain a free SIM card from Nepal Telecom, but it does not include any credit. Various data plans are available for purchase, such as 1GB of data and 60 minutes of talk time valid for one day, costing around 100 Nepali rupees, or $0.74 USD.
Soups and Airport Security: What's Allowed?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Tourists can get a free SIM card from Nepal Telecom at KTM airport, but it comes without credit
Tourists can get a free SIM card from Nepal Telecom at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, Nepal. However, it's important to note that this SIM card does not come with any credit, so you will need to purchase a data plan separately. The process of acquiring a SIM card at KTM Airport is straightforward, and there are several retailers located inside the terminal near the arrival exits.
To register for a SIM card at the airport, you will need to provide your passport for identity verification. It is also recommended to have a photocopy of your passport and a couple of passport-size photos, although some SIM card stalls may be able to take a quick photo for a small fee. Additionally, make sure to carry Nepali rupees or an international credit card, such as Visa or Mastercard, as payment methods like euros or USD are not accepted.
If you want to avoid the hassle of purchasing a SIM card at the airport, there are other options available. You can order a SIM card online in advance from large carriers like Nepal Telecom and Ncell, and then simply pick it up at the airport kiosks when you arrive. Alternatively, you can opt for a digital eSIM or Nepal eSIM before your flight, which offers convenience and connectivity as soon as you land.
While the free SIM card from Nepal Telecom is a good option, it is worth noting that data plans in Nepal are relatively affordable. For example, a 1GB data plan with 60 minutes of talk time, valid for one day, costs approximately 100 Nepali rupees, which is equivalent to $0.74 USD. This flexibility in options ensures that tourists can stay connected throughout their trip to Nepal, whether they choose to purchase a SIM card at the airport or explore other alternatives.
Airport Security and Cigarettes: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products

To buy a SIM card at the airport, you need a passport, Nepali rupees, and a photo
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) has several retailers inside the terminal that sell SIM cards. Nepal Telecom and Ncell are two of the major carriers that sell SIM cards inside the airport terminal.
To buy a SIM card at the airport, you need a few things:
- Passport: The airport SIM stores need to see your passport to verify your identity. You will need to provide a photocopy of your passport, which you can get from the same outlet.
- Nepali rupees: SIMs must be paid for in Nepali rupees. Euros or USD are not accepted. You can also use an international credit card (Visa or Mastercard) in addition to cash.
- Photo: They might ask for a picture of you for the registration. If you forget to bring one, they can take a photo for a small cost.
You will also need to fill out a registration form and submit some documents, including your arrival visa. It is recommended that you decide how much internet and calling you think you'll need before you go so you can pick the right SIM package.
Laptop Purchase: Atlanta Airport Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$8.99

SIM cards at KTM airport cost 100-150 Nepali rupees
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) makes it easy for visitors to purchase a SIM card upon landing, with several retailers inside the terminal. SIM cards at KTM Airport cost around 100–150 Nepali rupees.
You can also order a SIM card online in advance from large carriers such as Nepal Telecom and Ncell, and simply pick it up when you arrive at the airport. Alternatively, you can register for a Nepal eSIM before your flight, which will be downloaded straight to your phone.
If you choose to buy a SIM card on arrival, you can find SIM card stalls near the arrival exits inside the terminal. Here, you can purchase a SIM card and pay for activation. You will need to provide a passport for identification, and SIM cards must be paid for in Nepali rupees, so make sure to exchange currency before arriving. Euros and USD are not accepted, but you can also pay using Visa or Mastercard.
Tourists can get a free SIM card from Nepal Telecom at Tribhuvan Airport (KTM), but it does not come with any credit. You will need to purchase a data plan, such as 1GB of data and 60 minutes of calls for 100 rupees.
Liquor Shopping at PHL Airport: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also

Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are cheap in Nepal
Prepaid SIM cards for tourists are cheap and readily available in Nepal. Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) has several retailers inside the terminal that sell SIM cards. These include Nepal Telecom and Ncell, which also allow you to order a SIM card online before your flight for pickup at the airport. Tourists can get a free SIM card from Nepal Telecom at KTM, but it does not come with any credit. You will need to purchase a data plan, such as 1GB for NPR 100 (USD $0.74). Ncell SIM cards cost NPR 110 (USD $0.90) and come with 30NPR ($0.20) credit and 1GB of data for the first three days.
If you are arriving late at night, it is better to wait until morning to get a SIM card, as the stores are usually only open from 9 am to 5:30 pm. You can also check other options in Kathmandu city centre the next day, where you will find cheaper SIM cards.
To buy a SIM card in Nepal, you will need your passport, Nepali rupees, and a photo. An international credit card can also be used to pay for the SIM card.
Prepaid eSIM cards are another option for tourists with eSIM-compatible devices. These can be purchased online before your trip or through apps such as Airalo and Holafly, which offer seamless access to data.
Bangalore Airport: Where to Get a SIM Card?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy a SIM card at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).
You can buy a SIM card from SIM card stalls located near the arrival exits inside the terminals.
You will need your passport, Nepali Rupees (as Euros or USD are not accepted), and a photo.
You can buy a SIM card from Nepal Telecom or Ncell. Tourists can get a free SIM card from Nepal Telecom, but it does not come with any credit. You can also order a SIM card online in advance from these providers and pick it up at the airport.























