Sleeping in Airports

Kathmandu Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Kathmandu Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Kudos go to the night shift security guys who brought us the one and only rug from first class check-in and a blue tarp to cover the dust because they couldn’t believe two women were willing to sleep on the floor at the airport in the middle of the night. – a traveller

KTM Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Kathmandu Airport (code: KTM).

What to Expect

Don’t expect much from the two chaotic terminals at Kathmandu Airport. Travellers have reported slow, repetitive security queues, airport staff seeking handouts or bribes, and dirty bathrooms (bring tissues and hand sanitizer). Facilities are basic, with a snack bar, restaurant, and a duty-free shop, though recent reviews warn against eating here. WiFi is supposedly free on the airside, but it can be tricky to access. For added comfort while you wait, economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.

Kathmandu Airport Guide
(Photo courtesy of a Guest traveller / 16Jan2010)

Sleeping in Kathmandu Airport

Sleeping overnight here is not permitted as the airport closes from 12:30 AM until 6:30 AM. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer a shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations, or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information.  For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore our Kathmandu Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is closed from 12:30 AM – 6:30 AM.

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in Kathmandu airport sounds like a nightmare, several hotels are within walking distance from the terminal.

We’ve only listed the hotels with Tripadvisor reviews at this update’s time.  For more options in the $14-30/night range, here is a list of hotels near Kathmandu Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Executive Lounge – Location: International Terminal, Landside, 2nd Floor. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership program.

Airline Lounges

If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.

  • Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge – Location: International Terminal, Landside.

Related Pages: Kathmandu Airport Lounges

rest zonesRest & Relaxation Zones

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

airport infoMore Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: unknown.

Currency Exchange – Two currency exchange counters are available in the Arrivals lounge, and one full-service banking branch is in the Departures lounge.

Duty-Free & Shopping – One duty-free shop in the International Terminal. At the time of this update, it is unknown if any other shops are available.

Family Services – Nursing rooms are available should you wish to breastfeed in privacy. Location: Airside (Departures) and Landside (Arrivals).

Food & Drinks – A snack shop is available on the ground floor, and a restaurant is open on the first floor. Hours: unknown.

Information Desk – An Information Desk can be found Landside, near the Check-in Counter. Hours: unknown. A tourist information booth is also available on the ground level (English available).

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Luggage Trolleys – Would you like a hand with your luggage? Luggage trolleys are available free of charge and can be found on the upper and lower levels before check-in and also in the baggage claim area.

Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags by getting them covered in plastic wrap. Location: In front of Check-in Counter A.

Medical Services – Two medical clinics are available – Kathmandu Medical College and Norvic. Location and hours: unknown.

Mobile Charging – Charging hubs are provided Landside and Airside. Each box charges up to 4 devices at once.

Parking – Parking spots are available in front of both the International and Domestic Terminal buildings.

Post Office – Location: International Terminal, Landside, Ground Floor.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

WiFi / Internet – Free WiFi is available at Kathmandu Airport in the International Terminal.  Connect to the “Free_TIA_WorldLink_WIFI” or “TIA-Wifi-Departure” networks.

Airlines
Kathmandu airport is served by the following airlines: Air Arabia • Air China • Air India • Bhutan Airlines • Biman Bangladesh Airlines • Buddha Air • Cathay Dragon • China Eastern Airlines • China Southern Airlines • Druk Air • Etihad Airways • flydubai • Himalaya Airlines • IndiGo • Korean Air • Malaysia Airlines • Malindo Air • Nepal Airlines • Oman Air • Qatar Airways • Regent Airways • SalamAir • Saurya Airlines • Shree Airlines • Sichuan Airlines • SilkAir • Simrik Airlines • Sita Air • Summit Air • Tara Air • Thai Airways • Thai Lion Air • Tibet Airlines • Turkish Airlines • Yeti Airlines.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Buses

If you’re travelling light and on a tight budget, you can take one of the local buses that stop at the airport’s front gate. Buses run infrequently and are often very crowded, so this should be your last option.

Hotel Shuttles

At the time of this update, there were no hotels that provided an airport shuttle.  See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Prepaid taxis are available in the Arrivals Hall. Stop at the taxi booth to pay for your ride. You will receive a ticket to give to your driver before boarding the taxi.  Outside of the terminal, more taxis are available; these cars have no meters, so you will need to negotiate a fare with the driver before starting your journey.

Last updated: 2024-01-30

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.