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Kathmandu Airport Passenger Reviews and Kathmandu Airport Traveller Reports
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KATHMANDU AIRPORT customer review : 10 January 2013 by MJ Wayatauaah (Nepal) |
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Rating : 0/10 |  |
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Without doubt, Kathmandu domestic airport is one of the disgusting places. Many who travel through this
place on route to trekking or climbing adventures. There is nothing dignified or organised about the place and
for regular travellers it twists a knot in your stomach every time you pass through. You have to avoid the
army of porters who want to carry your luggage the 15 metres from security to check in and will give you a
disgusted look if you pay less than a dollar. Then you need to check in. Queues don't exist- so it's a matter
of crowding the desks. Then through security again and then the endless wait. Don't expect to sit down as
seats are never enough. Do not expect to get any info about your flight.
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KATHMANDU AIRPORT customer review : 12 March 2012 by Vipul Reddy (Australia) |
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Rating : 5/10 |  |
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First time here, already had a visa. On arrival, from leaving the airplane to getting outside it took me at most
15 minutes. Very fast if you already have a visa on arrival. Staff seemed generally helpful, the customs a bit
moody with no response to greetings. Departure is a nightmare upon checking in. Long queues, check-in staff
seemed to be struggling to use their system. Security check was quick. There seemed to be quite a large
amount of seating space in the departure lounge. Boarding was usually performed by an official yelling out
the name of the airline in the lounge. TV's don't necessarily reflect which airline is boarding. Toilet inside the
departure lounge looked new and clean. However, outside the lounge, many of the cubicles were shut for
maintenance. Not too bad of an airport. Check-in could be vastly improved.
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KATHMANDU AIRPORT customer review : 1 February 2012 by Subrit Thapa (UK) |
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Rating : 6/10 |  |
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Recommended |  |
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Have been through the International 5 times. In the past the airport was rubbish, the toilets were dirty, the
floors weren't clean and their were only 2 or 3 departure gates. Now it has changed, the toilets are cleaner,
the floors are clean, with about 6 departure gates which is better than before and they announce for
passengers whose flights are ready to depart. The seats are comfortable, however some of the staff are rude.
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Kathmandu Airport customer review : 22 October 2011 by Don Szymiec (Canada) |
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Rating : 1/10 |  |
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Both international and domestic buildings are the dirtiest and most disorganized buildings. The bathrooms are
filthy. Floors are dirty and the seats are not meant for comfort in any way shape or form. There is no rhyme or
reason to the flow of passengers from the time you are dropped off at the front door till you exit the building to
your plane. Be prepared for sheer pandemonium at all levels. Entry visas line consisted of one booth open, with 3
people at it, handling 3 planes that landed all within 20 minutes of each other. It took us an hour to get through
it. I suggest get you visa before going to Nepal, as there were 5 booths open for visa holding passengers.
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Kathmandu Airport customer review : 31 May 2011 by M Adhikari (Nepal)
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |
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It seems that the airport is being renovated. However, they have constructed something awkward
looking entrance gate which doesn't match with any of Nepali tradition and culture. Increased
the number of Toilets in the departure hall but Cleanliness is the problem. Still the primitive
ways of information system. Have to ask people for the departure gates. Display screens are
neither sufficient nor easy to extract information about flights. Service in the immigration is
totally primitive. People don't even utter a single word or respond pleasantly to the
travellers. Information system in the immigration needs to be updated.
Kathmandu Airport customer review : 1 May 2011 by Kat Howe (UK)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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The domestic departure is fine. A couple of security checks and then if you are lucky a run
through the airport to get your plane whilst the weather is ok. The international airport is a
different story. Our flight was understandably called 2 hours late due to the weather but then
between the lounge and the plane we had 6 security checks. The man on xray was the most grumpy
I have ever come across in an airport. Apparently they could see something they didn't like in
my bag. They still couldn't work it out after passing it through the machine several times and
getting me around to the screen to point it out. He then told me that 'he didn't have time to
deal with all these stupid tourists that didn't know what to pack in their bags'!!! Luckily I
remembered that I was in an airport and it wasn't a good idea to answer back!!! As he couldn't
find what he was looking for they eventually let me carry on through to the gate. We had
another check at the gate and then another one before we got onto the plane. Not quite sure
where they think we would have picked anything up from! Fortunately 80 of us from the plane
were on the same flight to London so the plane from Delhi to LHR was kept waiting for over an
hour for us. The other passengers weren't so happy!
Kathmandu Airport customer review : 22 April 2011 by Monica Howard (Canada)
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |
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Terrible for departures. Luggage was x-rayed twice, 4 total pat-downs, and twice everyone's
bags were opened and searched. I don't see how anything could get in someone's bag from the
gate to the airplane that would require two physical checks. Our plane left 2 hours late,
partly due to all of these checks.
Kathmandu Airport customer review : 9 January 2011 by Alexander Hill (Hong Kong)
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |
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This airport was quite basic, but one shouldn't expect something like HKG. Arrival was ok, it
is not a congested airport, so there are no giant immigration queues or long wiats for
baggage. However, departure was a bit less swift. Check in seemed to take a long time, and the
queue overflowed onto the pavement outside the terminal (not pleasant in the cold weather).
Once inside the terminal, things were fine, toilets were clean, staff were friendly as well,
they spoke good English. There is limited shopping, but for a small airport, it was to be
expected. Flight left on time, with a beautiful view of the Himalayas when ascending!
Kathmandu Airport customer review : 1 July 2010 by J Gray
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
This has to be the worst airport I've ever visited. Arrival was OK - I was one of the first
off the plane, so I quickly got my visa (make sure you have the exact money - USD25 - as some
people had to forgo their change). But departure was a nightmare. Regardless of which class
you fly, everyone has to queue to get inside the airport, where their tickets are checked
(check #1). In the age of e-tickets, this was difficult, as the security guard couldn't read
the tickets, and so made a show of going over every single word. Those who didn't have their
e-tickets printed out had to argue their way in. I understand this policy, as it keeps well-
wishes out of the airport - but seriously, they could make it a lot easier and friendly. Then
you have to scan your bag (security check #2). Check-in on Thai with a Gold Card was fast but
unfriendly. Make sure you have a baggage tag for your hand luggage, as you will need to show
this before going up the escalator (check #3). Passport formalities were quick, but then you
have to go and get your hand luggage scanned and searched (check #4), and your hand luggage
tag stamped (check #5), before getting your ticket stamped (check #6) to show you had
undergone this process. Finally, just before leaving the departure lounge, you get a body-
search (check #7). A true nightmare, all done in the most unfriendly manner. Horrible airport.
Kathmandu Airport customer review : 12 January 2010 by John Chambers
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Everybody hates this airport (I'm talking the International Airport here) but I don't see why.
I have been through over 40 times in the last 10 years and have had no problem. OK - its not
(thank goodness) LHR or JFK but they do their best. My tips for an easy arrival. Either get a
visa in advance (a multiple one if you intend to travel on/back to Tibet or Bhutan so you can
g2et in and out of Nepal) or get off the plane sharpish and get to the front of the "visa on
arrival" queue on the far lest as you enter. The latter can actually be quicker if the airport
is not frantic with incoming flights. Be polite and don't make a show of presents or flashy
kit in your baggage. Playing it low profile, being quiet and reserved, I have never, ever,
been stopped or searched by anybody in this airport and have never had any fuss with Customs
or immigration. On departure - get there early and fly business class if you can possibly
afford it - there are absolutely no queues at the J class check in desks. Otherwise try to get
an airline loyalty card and use this to check in at the J Counter. If even one party in a
group has a J ticket, the J class man will check Y passengers in with him as well. Departure
immigration is slow as in most airports in this region but they seldom make a fuss. Last time
my wifes visa on arrival had been stamped in my passport by mistake (and vice versa) and that
didn't phase them at all - remember, be polite and friendly - they get really miffed with
surly people! J Class Departure Lounge is actually now very good - really! The old one was
rubbish but the new one is a haven in an otherwise pretty stark departures area. C'est la vie.
The final police check to go to the gate can be trying. They want to confiscate mainly
lighters, matches and batteries (and some even look for illegally exports of cash) by I find
that being pleasant with a light banter usually lets me keep most things but keep money in a
secure, non obvious place in your bag or even in your pockets rather than in your bag, just in
case you fall foul of any real or imaginary currency export regulations. I have never had any
problem and I always take over the limit out in Nepali Rupees so I have cash for my next trip.
On the other hand, the domestic airport is, quite simply, a dirty, smelly disorganised hell
hole and a disgrace to Nepal. If you are a lone traveller or do not have a guide it can be
intimidating so my only comment is don't travel without a local, guide or otherwise, who knows his way around.
KATHMANDU AIRPORT review : 26 November 2009 by J Jensen
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Possibly the worst airport I've ever visited. The domestic terminal was total chaos. A
worthless overhead monitor had incorrect and incomplete flight information. Flights were
announced by a man standing at the gate ("Buddha Air 605!"), so passengers on all flights were
in a crush by the gate, attempting to hear him over the noise. Arrive at least an hour
before domestic flights, as the check-in and security queues can get very long. The
international terminal has terribly scuffed and grubby marble floors. The Thai business
lounge was at least clean and modern, and offered pastries and beverages. It had no rest
room, however so was directed to the appalling airport rest room, which had flooded, and
smelled horrible. Several security checks. A security agent pawed through my belongings for
so very long, the agent next to him finally barked at him to let me through. Many stupid
questions, for example: "What is this?" Jewelry. "Is it yours?" Men go through one door
("Gents"), and women through another at security areas. All are frisked.
KATHMANDU AIRPORT review : 12 May 2009 : by Pieter van Buul
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
It is all very old fashioned but also very relaxed. For Nepal standards they do their best.
Customs are always friendly especially if you can greet them in their native language! On
arrival it goes always very quick if you have your visa already. Baggage claim can be a bit
disorganised, but most of the times you can leave the airport within half an hour after
leaving the plane. On departure just make sure you are in time or even better make sure you
are a little bit early. You'll be one of the first in line for a fast check in. The next two
hours you can spend reading or so in the very good restaurant (upstairs) with view on the
platform. Quiet and with clean toilets!
KATHMANDU AIRPORT review : 14 April 2009 : by Simon Robinson
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Probably one of the most disorganised airports in the world. Get a visa before you travel to
Nepal. I queued for 2 1/2 hours on arrival. Departure is an endless game of body searches and
silly questions. A very bad reflection on a wonderful country
KATHMANDU AIRPORT review : 22 February 2009 : by John Lynn
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Just returned from Nepal again - superb country - awful airport - nothing has changed in the
last four years - dont think the toilets have been cleaned since my last visit!, ancient bus
for all of the 50 metres to plane - then another body search before being allowed on plane -
this airport needs to get its act together.
KATHMANDU AIRPORT review : 19 February 2009 : by R Pritchard
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Used the airport twice for short says in Nepal on the way too and from Kathmandu. The main
problem is the lack of departure boards. Every now and then some people would start going
through a departure gate, and everybody else would follow them in case it was their flight.
Arrival was a lot easier though, and the baggage appeared quire promptly. The airport staff
were about the most friendly and helpful I have encountered anywhere, once you manage to find
somebody.
KATHMANDU AIRPORT review : 26 January
2009 : by S Pathirana
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
What a shame that this airport serves this wonderful country. I had some Indian Rupees on me
but managed not to be detected. Departure was a nightmare. Extremely rude men at immigration,
asking questions which they had no right to ask. I have a complicated passport history with
many visas - but their right is to stamp me out and not to inquire whether or not I had the
right paperwork to board the plane - that check was done at check-in! Flight was delayed 10
hours as inbound flight could not land (bad weather). This is fairly out of my control, but we
were not allowed to leave back into the terminal to stretch our legs, instead having to wait
in a crowded waiting room served by one atrocious toilet. Food was given after a few hours;
thanks go to Air Arabia's handling of the situation.
KATHMANDU AIRPORT review : 10 December 2008 : by E Baylis
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Our visit to Nepal was soured by my experience at Kathmandu Airport. We were leaving to return to
Delhi, I had checked all our luggage though and went through for a personal security check. While in
the cubicle the guard checked my pockets and asked me if I had any money, I said I did not have any
Nepal money as we were requested not to take any out of the country. I had 100 Indian rupee notes,
he stated ranting "give me money" "give me money" "200 200" . In shock I handed over 200 Indian
rupee and he pushed me out of the cubicle. I just felt so intimidated, this is assault and robbery.
We had intended going back to this beautiful country, but we will give it a miss now and tell others
of our experience.
KATHMANDU AIRPORT review : 22 September 2008 : by Alex Thomas
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Second time flying through this airport. Large improvement since I was there in 2005, even with the
notable increase in traffic. Toilets seem cleaner, and immigration more efficient. In general staff
seem more professional. The range of duty free shopping is still disappointing.
Kathmandu Airport by G Small
18 June 2008 Customer Rating : 
I flew out of Kathmandu airport - on one of the final security checks I was asked to empty my
pockets. I had some amounts of Euro and Sterling (about 50 of each) and about 100 euro worth of
Indian money. I had Indian money as I had been in India prior to Nepal and was returning for
another week. When the security checker saw the Indian money began ranting and raving about it. I
did check later what I had was well below what can be legally taken out. This guy wanted the lot -
all 3 currencies - I asked for his supervisor which made him worse. I kept the Euro and Sterling
but he pocketed the Indian money. I heard other similar stories of money being taken off, left a
bad feeling after what had been 4 great days
Kathmandu Airport by Christian Kracht
23 April 2008 Customer Rating : 
A quick update on KTM; the Thai-Star Alliance lounge has been significantly improved (purple "thai"
design, flat screen television sets, sandwiches and vol-au-vent pastries, departures are called) and
while customs procedures upon departure still hover between the sublime and the absurd, check-in has
certainly become faster and more efficient.
Kathmandu Airport by Kathy Wood
24 December 2007 Customer Rating : 
I arrived from India so I found the airport an improvement on what I had seen previously. On
arrival, the staff were very helpful. However, beware of corrupt security staff. They threatened
to confiscate all the gifts I had bought in India unless I paid them. Fortunately a senior member
of staff was nearby and must have sensed what was going on and let us through. They did confiscate
my camera batteries, though.
Kathmandu Airport by Oliver Spencer
11 December 2007 Customer Rating :
I was quite impressed with the airport. Many things were manual, however, airport staff were helpful
and courteous. It was simple and easy to clear get the immigration clearance, customs, baggage
claim, and get out of the airport. Overall, given the economic standard of the country the Kathmandu
airport is a good airport!
Kathmandu Airport by Melanie Ling
19 January 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
Not a great airport really. Firstly long queues to pay your departure tax, then long queues to check in. Ambiguous information
at check in that you could not take cameras and video cameras in your hand luggage which turned out
not to be true. Getting through immigration was not too bad but security queues were enormous. The only saving grace
was there was a much shorter women only queue. Hand baggage was hand searched as well as scanned
and one of my group was asked for baksheesh (bribe) to let her take toiletries on board. (she
refused). After security there are just 2 departure lounges with no shops or cafes and uncomfortable seats
and very smelly toilets. There were no departure boards and fuzzy announcements so it was difficult
to know if it was your flight was going and everyone was asking everyone else!
Nepal is lovely but Kathmandu airport is hard work.
Kathmandu Airport by John Lynn
17 November 2006
Surely Christian Kracht is refering to a different airport! The airport
at Kathmandu is anything but clean or efficient - one queues on entering
to have baggage screened - then security taped - then humps bag to the
departure tax window to pay - tip - dont go to the long check in queues
for gulf air before doing this - they wont accept your checkin without
the required receipt. After check in there is the dire immigration queue
upstairs - takes about 15 mins each and god help you if you pass the red
line before being called. Then the further x ray screening and full bag
search - again god help you if you dont get a stamp on boarding card
when they have pulled everything out of rucksack - then a dire waiting
area with screwed down plastic chairs. Before final security check is a
waiting area which has two duty free shops - a " hatch where one can buy
tea, coffee and a snack - this is an International Airport - and Toilets
are dire!
Kathmandu Airport by Christian Kracht
15 November 2006
I have always found KTM airport to be efficient, well-run &
architecturally impressive. Check-in is on the ground floor after
passing security (Check-in is much faster & friendlier than, say, HKG or
BKK), then customs and passport check (which are a breeze), plus a
swanky, well stocked business lounge, which may be used by Qatar, Thai &
Austrian business class passengers (though not Gulf or Jet Airways),
with free wi-fi and free domestic telephone calls. Sure, the airport is
a little dated.
Kathmandu Airport by Stephen Ryden
2 November 2006
Ghastly airport, horrid dirty, cramped conditions with simply abominable
lavatories. When you arrive for the first time on an international
flight it's very confusing with poor signage, you exit the immigration
hall almost in the same place you enter, but you'd only know that by
guessing. Once you've checked in you can't go anywhere but the dingy
departures 'lounge'. The security is slow and the troops miserable,
there's no guidance on procedure and for example you have to have a
luggage tab stamped by the screeners. If you don't have one they don't
tell you, then you get to the gate and are turned back by further
security who check for the stamp on hand baggage! As an important city,
they really should get to grips with the facilities and the impression
it makes on entering India.
Kathmandu Airport by Kath Hardy
17 October 2006
Considering that this calls itself an International airport it is really
poor, it looks as if no money has been spent on facilities for many
years. The worst problem though was the toilets which are dreadful, very
dirty, water all over the floor and lots of people standing around doing
nothing about it. I did make a complaint but doubt if anyone really
cares.
Kathmandu Airport by Jon Hooper
3 June 2006
Domestic terminal is basically a hanger with a few facilities. Check in
is chaotic, with baggage check somewhat erratic. There is a secondary
body search before going through to the departure area, although if you
are foreign the security staff often seem more interested in finding out
about your marital status than checking for knives etc. Buses for
boarding the aircraft are outdated and rickety, would be on the
scrapheap in most countries.
Kathmandu
Airport by Gareth Duhig
1
January 2005
If you're a nervous flyer don't look out the windows on landing as you'll see dogs, chickens &
sometimes people wandering across the tarmac. Even though the planes park a very short walk from the
terminal you are bused which takes 10 times longer than if they just made people walk the short
distance! The immigration people are the friendliest I've come across. The arrivals baggage area
is a bit chaotic with bags strewn everywhere. The touts outside can be pretty
annoying too. The domestic side is much smaller, you're frisked about 4 times between entering the terminal & getting
on the plane. I had no trouble with my camera & was even taking pics on the runway while
queuing to board. On entering the terminal you're luggage HAS to get a security sticker on it otherwise it
won't be accepted at check in & you'll have to go out & come back in again. The departure lounge is
large but unfortunately smells like a public toilet.
Kathmandu
Airport by Chris Carre
1
November 2004
I travelled through KTM in Sept/Oct on Gulf Air. Considering it is basically a third world country
the security is good - searched on entering the terminal, again on proceeding to the lounge and a
final frisk at the foot of the aircraft steps. One point to mention security don't like camera
batteries for some reason. Ordinary AA size were overlooked, but a small camera 123 size was
confiscated as forbidden. Of course it is a bit chaotic , but just go with the flow and you'll be
fine. The domestic terminal is complete chaos. My luggage was "lost " in the x ray machine for
about five minutes despite a constant flow of other bags that went in after mine . I went
through the
security three times in as many days and not once did they find the swiss army style tool I had in
my hand luggage. It was only at international security that it was spotted straight away and
confiscated ( I had forgotten it was there - very embarrassed). Overall considering where it is the
airport does a good job and I was impressed.
Kathmandu
Airport by James Sarni
11
March 2004
The airport is undergoing some fairly substantial (in relative terms anyway) redevelopment which has
made the departure areas larger and more pleasant. The same old gripes about catering and toilet
facilities exist but at least there are plenty of seats and room to walk about. The old, frankly
ridiculous, final departure lounge is being replaced by a larger one, which will lack the stuff of
travellers tales but will certainly be less packed. Depending on where your plane is parked you may
still walk across the tarmac. However, the airport has acquired two big shiny transit buses normally
seen at much larger and richer airports. And having bought them they are determined to use them.
Thus a 1 minute walk may well be replaced by a 10 minute loading of the bus followed by a 20 second
bus ride to the plane!
In arrivals the system for buying on arrivals visas seems to change every week. No alternative but to
go with the flow. But the area is, as with departures, larger than a few years ago. The baggage
reclaim features many more carousels than can ever be needed with current flight schedules. Most of
the time , bags tend to come pleasantly quickly.
The touts outside are still there. But a redesigned exit and police presence means that they are
kept well back and it is possible to get well out of the airport before being approached.
Kathmandu
Airport by Morgan Woods
8
October 2003
Went to Katmandhu about 10 yrs ago - the airport was pretty basic - walking directly across the
tarmac was a quaint touch - far too many touts at the exit for my liking.
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