The distances in Kathmandu are short. The prices are low by international standards. The variation between what you could pay and what you should pay is surprisingly wide.
To Thamel (7 km)
Thamel is where most tourists stay and the most common destination from the airport.
- Negotiated taxi: NPR 500-800 (USD 3.50-6)
- Prepaid taxi counter: NPR 700-1000 (USD 5-7.50)
- Pre-booked transfer: NPR 1500-3000 (USD 10-22)
- Hotel car: NPR 1000-2500 (USD 7.50-18), sometimes free at upscale hotels
To Patan / Lalitpur (8 km)
- Negotiated taxi: NPR 600-900
- Prepaid taxi: NPR 800-1100
- Pre-booked transfer: NPR 1500-3000
To Bhaktapur (13 km)
- Negotiated taxi: NPR 1000-1500
- Prepaid taxi: NPR 1200-1800
- Pre-booked transfer: NPR 2500-4000
To Boudhanath area (4 km)
- Negotiated taxi: NPR 400-600
- Prepaid taxi: NPR 500-800
- Pre-booked transfer: NPR 1200-2000
To Nagarkot (32 km)
- Negotiated taxi: NPR 2500-4000
- Pre-booked transfer: NPR 4000-7000
Why the price range is so wide
Your negotiation skills determine the taxi price more than anything else. Drivers at Kathmandu airport routinely quote tourists two to three times the local rate. If you accept the first offer, you pay the top of the range. If you counter firmly, you pay the bottom. This is standard practice, not a scam, but it favors experienced travelers.
Traffic does not affect the price of negotiated or prepaid taxis since they quote flat rates. However, it affects the value you get from a pre-booked transfer, which costs the same whether the trip takes 15 minutes or an hour.
Vehicle type accounts for the range in transfer prices. A micro-taxi (the small blue Suzukis) costs the least. A proper sedan costs more. A minivan or SUV for groups or heavy luggage costs the most.
Time of day has minimal effect on pricing at Kathmandu airport. There is no official night surcharge for taxis, though individual drivers may try to charge more after midnight when alternatives are scarce.
Currency notes
All prices above are in Nepalese Rupees. At the time of writing, USD 1 equals roughly NPR 135. The rupee fluctuates, so check the current rate. Taxis accept NPR cash only. Pre-booked transfers can usually be paid online in advance in dollars or euros.
Is the cheapest option good enough?
A NPR 500 taxi ride to Thamel gets you there. The vehicle will be old, small, and without functioning air conditioning. The driver may or may not find your hotel easily. A NPR 2000 pre-booked transfer gets you there in a better vehicle with a driver who has your hotel details. The absolute cost difference is about USD 10. Whether that matters depends entirely on your budget and how much you value a smooth arrival after what is often a long journey to Nepal.