Nepal Currency - Money & Currency Exchange in Nepal

14 September 2022 Last updated at 10:45

When you are traveling in Nepal, you'd better find a place to exchange some of your money into Nepal currency as you may need to pay for goods and services with Nepalese cash at many situations especially when you are doing some shopping at local streets. Since Nepalese Ruppe cannot be imported to your country, and your foreign currency must be declared on arrival, so you have to change the money in the airport, border port, bank, hotels or restaurants in Nepal, which is convenient and safe.

If carrying a lot of cashes is uncomfortable for you, you can use the Travellers' Checks which are accepted at many banks and major hotels, but have to be in USD or GBP. If you travel to big cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, your bank cards of American Express, MasterCard and Visa are also accepted by many shops, hotels, restaurants and agencies.

Nepalese Rupee

The official currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR or Rs) - the only official Nepal money. One rupee is divided into 100 paisa (p). Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees. While paper notes come in denominations of: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 (Rs 25/250 are also available but are rarely used). The issuing of Nepal Rupee is controled by The Nepal Rastra Bank. You can exchange your money into Nepal Rupee at banks, authorised hotels and stores, etc.

Nepal Rupee vs Indian Rupee

Nepal Rupee and Indian Rupee are two diffrent systems of currency. Though not as a legal tender for finacial currency, the Indian Ruppe is widely accepted in many places in Nepal, especially the border areas close to India. But travelers to Nepal are suggested to exchange money to Nepal Rupee instead of Indian Rupee.

Nepal Currency

Currency Exchange in Nepal: Easy & Safe

According to the laws of Nepal, only authorised dealers such as banks, hotels and licensed money changers can offer currency exchanging service. You'd better not to exchange currency with any one who is not authorised. It is not recommended to change a lot of Nepal Rupees, because only up to 10% of total of all receipts can be reconverted to foreign currency when you leave Nepal from the Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport.

When you exchanging currency, you will find there are three main exchange rates: the Rastra Bank rates (central bank of Nepal, the government’s official rate), the private banks’ rate (slightly more generous), and the black market rate (the most generous, set by carpet shops and travel agents). Official exchanges rates are set by the government's Nepal Rastra Bank and listed in the daily newspapers. Rates at the private banks vary, but are generally not far from the official rate.

Nepal Currency Exchange Rates

Following is the offical Exchange Rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank for July 9, 2020. You can check the accurate and real-time exchange rate on its offical website - https://archive.nrb.org.np/.

Exchange Currency in Banks

Exchanging currency in the banks is the most reliable way if you want to exchange money at the published rates. There are many banking companies in Nepal. You can easily find some in the main cities, such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan. These banks also offer ATM (Automated Teller Machines). The banks usually offer better rates than the currency changers but you might have to wait in line. There could also be some procedures involved. You are required to show your passport, and fill in some paper. A foreign exchange encashment receipt will be given to you, showing your identity and the amount of hard currency you have changed. The recommended commercial banks include Nepal Investment Bank, Nepal SBI Bank, Himalayan Bank Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, etc.

Nepal Rastra Bank

Exchanging Currency on ATMs

If you don't want to fill in too many forms when you exchanging Nepal currency at the encounters, you can go to get local Nepal Rupees from the ATMS which accept most Visa and Master credit cards and other bank cards issued by any of the major international banking networkds. These ATMs are accessible 24 hours a day. If you withdraw money at night, please make sure your surrounding is safe. Most of ATMs have a maximum withdrawal amount of 10,000Rs, but you can make repeated withdrawals with a service charge for each.

You can easily find some ATMS in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan to exchange Nepal currency. But not every ATM accept foreign cards. It seems only the ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara work well, and accept international cards. In many places the rest of the country, the ATMs only support National banks.

ATM in Kathmandu

Other Places in Nepal to Exchange Nepal Currency

You can also exchange money at Money Exchange offices which can be found in tourist areas easily. You can see the offices post their daily exchange rates on a board or screen. The exchange rate offered by these offices varies, usually a bit lower than the exchange rates in the banks.

You can also exchange currency in some hotels and major tourist merchants, but the rate offered is usually very lower compared to that offered by Banks and currency exchangers.

There are Nepal currency exchange counters at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, Banks and Moneychangers at the various border crossings like Gyirong in Tibet. Pokhara and the major border towns also have official moneychanging facilities. But if you are trekking, please take enough small-denomination cash Nepal rupees to last the whole trek.

Credit Cards

Major Credit Cards such as Visa, Master Card, JCB and American Express, are readily accepted at midrange and better hotels, restaurants, airlines, and major tourist merchants in the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara.

Cash in & out of Nepal

Major International currencies including USD, GBP, EURO, YEN, etc., are readily accepted. There are no customs charges or limitations of bringing your home currency into Nepal. It is not generally recommended to carry around large quantities of cash on your person.

Officially Nepalese Rupees cannot be taken out of the country, and notes cannot be exchanged at banks in your home country.

How to Plan a Nepal Tour

Tourists always start a Nepal tour from Kathmandu - the capital city and tourist distribution center. 4 days is enough to enjoy the world heritage sites and Himalayan views in Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and Nagarkot). For those travelers who won’t want to miss the most astonishing nature of Nepal, spend 1 or 2 more days visiting lakeside Pokhara. For more experience, Chitwan is a good choice to offer Nepal’s oldest wildlife (various mammal and birds species) as well as a variety of excursions in 2 days usually. If you are a Buddhist follower or fan, travel Lumbini and other Buddhist sites in 3~4 more days. If you are a trekking enthusiast, there is a bucket of trekking routes, like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit, Poon Hill, etc.

☞ 4 Days Classic Kathmandu Valley Tour
☞ 5 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Leisure Tour (by Flight)
☞ 8 Days Nepal Holiday Tour (Kathmandu - Pokhara - Chitwan)

Travel with Us

Traveling with Himalayas Discovery, you are assured to use our high-quality travel services, including vehicles, professional tour guide and experienced driver, well-organized itinerary, assistance of visa and permits application and other travel related services. We will settle all arrangements in advance to make sure you always enjoy a worry-free journey.

Adam's Family from USA visited Kathmandu with Himalayas Discovery

Most Recommended Nepal Tour Packages

Following are 3 most recommended Nepal tour packages that you may be interested in. All tour packages are customizable to meet your personal requirements. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want.

• 

  8 Days Kathmandu Pokhara Chitwan Highlights Tour

  Kathmandu / Nagarkot / Pokhara / Chitwan / Kathmandu

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• 

  5 Days Kathmandu to Pokhara Leisure Tour by Flight

  Kathmandu / Pokhara / Kathmandu

  Check Details

• 

  4 Days Kathmandu Nagarkot Himalayan Sunrise Tour

  Kathmandu / Nagarkot / Kathmandu

  Check Details