Money
and Banking in Nepal:
General information
Payment in hotels, travel agencies,
and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Nepal has
modern banking facilities and some of the International
Banks have their own offices in Kathmandu. Almost all
foreign currencies along with credit cards such as American
Express, Visa and Master Card, etc. are accepted in
Nepal at major hotels, shops and restaurants.
Remember: Check your credit card expiration
dates if you are leaving for an extended journey.
All visitors are required
to exchange their money through the bank or authorized
agents. In Kathmandu banks have money exchange counters.
These facilities to change money are quick and convenient.
We are told it is necessary to ask for receipts when
money is changed. On the return journey, if you are
left with Nepalese rupees, they can exchange 10% against
exchange receipts to about 10 or 12 different kinds
of foreign currency at the Tribhuvan International Airport
Kathmandu.
Note: Retain Rs. 1100 for airport tax
when departing Nepal by air.
Major banks, hotels, and
the exchange counters at Tribhuvan Airport provide services
for exchanging foreign currency. US dollar traveler's
checks can be purchased from American Express at Durbar
Marg and other major banks in Kathmandu. Banks typically
charge 1% of the face value to cash traveler's checks.When
traveling around Nepal, change large bills whenever
you can. Taxis, Bicycle Rickshaws and small shops seldom
have small bills. Do not be afraid to ask local shops
for change, but expect to ask three or four before someone
can/will change your large bill.
Atm
Standard Charted Bank (used to be
Grindlays Bank) is offering ATM service in it's different
branches in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can get cash
advances on both Visa and Master card. These ATMs are
accessible 24 hours a day. One is located down the drive
to the Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, another one
is next to the Roadhouse Cafe in Thamel, another one
is located in the bank's head office - New Baneshwor
and one at the branch on Kantipath.
Banks
Banks are open 9 am to 3 pm Monday
through Friday, Nepal Bank Ltd. on New Road (Ph:
4221185) is open 7 am to 7 pm all days of the
week. The Kantipath branch (Ph: 4227375)
is open 9 am to 3.30 pm Monday through Friday, 9 am
to 1 pm on Saturday, and closed on Sunday. Rastriya
Banijya Bank exchange counter at Bishal Bazaar (Ph:
4223776) is open 9 am to 3 pm daily except
holidays.
Nepal Bangladesh Bank at Kathmandu Plaza (Ph:
4258308) is open 9 am to 3.30 pm, and its branch
at New Road (Ph: 4256734) is open till
7 pm. Standard Charted Bank (used to be Grindlays Bank)
on Kantipath (Ph: 4228474) is open 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.
There is also an ATM here for Visa and Mastercard access.
Counters of Himalayan Bank at Thamel (Ph: 4227749)
open 9 am to 3.30 pm and New Road (Ph: 4243107)
are open 9 am to 5.30 pm, closed on Saturdays. Other
banks are Nepal Arab Bank, Kantipath (Ph: 4226786).
Nepal SBI Bank, Durbar Marg (Ph: 4225326);
Everest Bank, New Baneswar (Ph: 4482578),
Nepal Indosuez Bank, Durbar Marg (Ph: 4228229),
Nepal Sri Lanka Merchant Bank, Bagh Bazar (Ph:
4227555) and the Bank of Kathmandu, Thamel
(Ph: 4430640). The counters of licensed money changers
are open 12 hours a day.
|
