Where to Buy an eSIM for Nepal
Where to buy an eSIM for Nepal
You have two good options: buy a travel eSIM online before you fly (convenient, more expensive) or buy a local tourist SIM at Kathmandu airport (cheap, requires passport, possible queue).
Before your trip (convenient but pricier)
Travel eSIM apps
Download the app, buy a plan, scan the QR code. Your eSIM activates when you hit a Nepali network.
Nomad — From US$6 for 1 GB. Best value among travel eSIM apps for Nepal. Runs on Ncell.
Holafly — Unlimited data from €24.90. Expensive for Nepal, but zero data management.
Saily — From US$9.99 for 1 GB. Works fine, but Nomad is cheaper.
Airalo — From ~US$5. Pricing is inconsistent, check carefully at checkout.
Ncell Tourist eSIM (online)
Ncell — Ncell says their tourist eSIM is available online. This is the best option if you can get it working before departure: local pricing (from NPR 595), local number, voice calls included. You’ll need your passport details.
If you can order the Ncell tourist eSIM online before your flight, do it. You get local pricing (a fraction of what travel apps charge) with the convenience of pre-arrival setup.
At the airport (cheapest option)
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
The Ncell tourist SIM counter is right after customs in the arrivals area. This is where most travelers get their SIM. Bring your original passport (required, no copies).
The process is fast but the line can be long during peak arrival times (multiple international flights landing within the same hour).
| Plan | Price | Data | Calls | SMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | NPR 595 (~US$4.50) | Unlimited (FUP) | All-net | 100 |
| 14 days | NPR 995 (~US$7.50) | Unlimited (FUP) | All-net | 100 |
| 28 days | NPR 1,995 (~US$15) | Unlimited (FUP) | All-net | 100 |
Nepal requires your original passport to buy a SIM card. No passport, no SIM. This is a government regulation, not a carrier policy. Copies and photos of your passport won't work.
Nepal Telecom at the airport
NTC also has a presence at the airport, but their tourist setup is less streamlined than Ncell’s. If you specifically need NTC for mountain coverage, you can try here, but expect a more confusing process.
In Kathmandu
Ncell Centres and authorized retailers
Ncell has shops in Thamel (the main tourist district) and throughout Kathmandu. Authorized retailers are everywhere. Same tourist packs, same passport requirement.
Nepal Telecom offices
NTC has offices in Kathmandu where you can get a SIM. The eSIM process goes through their online portal, which is clunky but functional. If you want NTC specifically for trekking coverage, getting set up in Kathmandu before heading to the mountains is smart.
Get both Ncell and NTC. Ncell at the airport (5 minutes), NTC from a shop in Thamel (30 minutes). Total cost: under US$15 for two networks. In the mountains, one often works where the other doesn't.
Bottom line
| When | How | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before trip (online) | Nomad or Ncell eSIM online | 5 minutes | US$6+ or NPR 595+ |
| At airport | Ncell tourist SIM counter | 10-30 minutes | NPR 595+ |
| In Kathmandu | Ncell/NTC shop in Thamel | 20-30 minutes | NPR 595+ |
Not sure which provider? Read the full comparison. Not sure how to set it up? Read the activation guide.