Nepal, a country nestled in the Himalayas, is a paradise for adventurers and culture enthusiasts alike. It boasts a remarkable combination of breathtaking mountain ranges like Mount Everest and Annapurna, alongside the rich cultural heritage of Kathmandu’s historic temples and the tranquil beauty of Pokhara. Having a grasp of the local cash, cash and ATMs in Nepal and payment options is essential for successfully navigating this diverse and rugged terrain. This guide offers valuable financial insights to help you navigate Nepal’s stunning landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage with ease and confidence.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to travel on a budget in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Nepal?
Nepal has a network of over 4,800 ATMs. These are operated by a variety of commercial and specialised banks. There are many options available in big cities but limited to no options in smaller towns.
You can find ATMs at:
- Large airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Popular streets in large cities that attract many tourists,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Branches of banks.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Smaller airports,
- Mountain-adjacent towns,
- Bus stops in the region,
- Village interiors,
- Hidden away in small towns, tucked off the main streets,
- Remote resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Nepal for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Nepal are those owned by popular banks such as:
Nepal SBI Bank,
NIC Asia,
Prabhu Bank,
Citizens Bank,
Laxmi Sunrise Bank,
Everest Bank,
Global IME Bank, and
Siddhartha Bank.
There are other bank ATMs that accept international cards, albeit with higher fees.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Nepal, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in NPR).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Nepal, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in NPR’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Nepal?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Nepal. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept American Express, Diners, Discover cards. Others like CUP, JCB, Maestro or Rupay cards are usually not accepted.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Nepal.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Nepal?
The term ‘ATM’ is typically used to display the presence of an ATM.
PIN type
Length of ATM PINs in Nepal: Usually, 4-digit PINs are accepted.
Merchant Card Requirements: Both magnetic stripe cards and chip-and-PIN cards are commonly used and accepted.
Languages at ATMs in Nepal
ATMs in Nepal come with two language options as default – Nepalese and English. If you’re not familiar with these languages, you can use the camera function on Google Translate to instantly translate the options on your phone. Please note that these translations may not always be completely accurate, so it is important to take your time and avoid rushing through the transaction.
If you’re not familiar with these languages, that’s totally fine. Try out Google Translate’s camera feature to instantly translate the text on your phone! Just a heads up – these translations might not always be 100% accurate, so it’s best to take your time and not rush through the transaction.”
Do ATMs in Nepal work similarly as other countries?
Yes, they are quite similar to ATMs in other countries. The ATMs operate with the same efficiency as those found in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and India. Make sure to retrieve your card after withdrawing cash from ATMs that fully take your card inside during the transaction.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Asia.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Nepal?
ATMs in Nepal dispense only the official currency Nepalese Rupee (NPR).
ATM withdrawal limits in Nepal?
ATMs in Nepal have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of NPR 20,000 to NPR 35,000 (Nepalese Rupee), with the most common being NPR 25,000. One bank ATM allows to withdraw as much as the card’s withdrawal limit in one transaction.
ATM Fees in Nepal?
There are no fee-free ATMs in Nepal. Bank ATMs in Nepal typically charge between NPK 500 to NPK 700 per transaction as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders. so there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Nepal as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Nepal – something every traveller handling cash in Nepal should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Nepal?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Nepal?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Nepal. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Nepal.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Nepal ATMs?
Generally speaking, yes.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Nepal takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
No, its not possible. There are no fee-free ATMs in Nepal. Bank ATMs in Nepal typically charge between NPK 500 to NPK 700 per transaction as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders. so there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Nepal as a foreign cardholder!
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Nepal?
Definitely. Cards from various countries, including the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and others, are generally accepted at ATMs in Nepal.
Bitcoin ATMs?
Currently, there are no Bitcoin ATMs available in Nepal.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Nepal
Bank of America: Bank of America ATMs are not available in Nepal.
Citibank: None.
Barclays: Nepal does not have any Barclays ATMs available.
HSBC: Nepal does not have any HSBC ATMs available.
Standard Chartered: Standard Chartered ATMs are not available in Nepal.
