10 Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make in Kathmandu (and How to Avoid Them)
The ten most common first-timer mistakes in Kathmandu — from airport taxis to over-packing your itinerary — and how to sidestep each one.
Kathmandu is one of the most rewarding cities in Asia — and one of the easiest to get slightly wrong on a first visit. Here are the ten mistakes we see most often, and how to avoid them.
1. Not arranging airport pickup
Landing jet-lagged into a chaotic arrivals hall and haggling for a taxi is a rough start. Arrange a pickup or use the prepaid counter — see our airport transfer guide.
2. Drinking the tap water
It's not safe. Use filtered or boiled water, even for brushing teeth. Pack a reusable bottle and use refill stations.
3. Changing all their money at the airport
Airport rates are poor. Change just enough for the taxi, then use a city money changer or ATM. Our money guide has the details.
4. Assuming cards work everywhere
Nepal is a cash economy. Carry rupees for taxis, small restaurants and markets — cards only work at mid-range places and up, often with a surcharge.
5. Staying only in Thamel
Thamel is convenient but loud and touristy. Quieter neighbourhoods like Lazimpat, Jhamsikhel and Patan give you a calmer, more local base within easy reach of the sights — see where to stay by neighbourhood.
6. Over-packing the itinerary
The valley rewards a slower pace. Three or four sights done well beats ten rushed. Build in café time and a day trip. Our 3-day itinerary shows a realistic pace.
7. Underestimating the traffic and dust
Journeys take longer than the map suggests, and the dry-season air is dusty. Allow buffer time, carry a mask, and don't schedule tight back-to-back commitments across the city.
8. Not carrying small change
Taxis and small shops rarely break large notes. Keep a stash of small denominations for fares, tips and snacks.
9. Being careless about the platform-vs-direct booking gap
Booking direct with an apartment often costs less than the same place on a big platform (the platform fee comes out somewhere). It's worth a quick compare — we did the honest math here.
10. Forgetting a working phone plan
Maps, ride apps, calling drivers, translation — you'll want data from the moment you land. Sort a SIM or eSIM early.
None of these are disasters — but avoiding them turns a bumpy first day into a smooth one. Kathmandu is generous to travellers who arrive a little prepared.
Staying in Kathmandu? Our self-check-in serviced apartments in Lazimpat put you a short walk from the city's best cafés, restaurants and embassies — with fast Wi-Fi, a full kitchen and inverter backup power. See the apartments →