Nepal eSIM

Staying connected in Nepal

Install a travel eSIM at home and switch it on when you land in Kathmandu. AirOva sells Nepal plans from $2.99, with a fixed amount of data or unlimited, all data only, with no call minutes, SMS or local phone number. GB plans run on Ncell and Nepal Telecom, and unlimited plans on Ncell; each plan card lists its network and whether it is listed as 4G or 5G, and NT Mobile on a card means Nepal Telecom.

Which Nepal plan to choose

GB plans suit city days in Kathmandu and Pokhara, since maps, messaging and booking apps take little data. Unlimited plans give unlimited data with no data cap and no fair-usage limit; you only choose the number of days, which suits long stays, video calls and remote work. Not sure? See how much data you need before you choose.

Nepal Telecom and Ncell

Nepal Telecom is the state-owned operator and the largest by subscribers; it launched Nepal's first 4G service on 1 January 2017. Ncell, founded in 2004, was the country's first private mobile operator and began 4G in the Kathmandu Valley in June 2017. Nepal Telecom has tested 5G in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Birgunj, but we found no commercial 5G launch in Nepal, so plan on 4G.

Arriving in Kathmandu and Pokhara

Tribhuvan International (KTM), Nepal's main international airport, is about 6 km east of central Kathmandu and Thamel. Most visitors can get a visa on arrival or an online tourist visa. Pokhara, about 200 km west of Kathmandu and a base for the Annapurna Circuit, has had its own international airport (PHH) since January 2023, used mainly for domestic flights. After landing, switch the eSIM line on, choose it for mobile data and enable Data Roaming for that line; the plan is prepaid, so roaming adds no charge.

Lukla, Everest and the Annapurna trails

The Everest Base Camp trek usually starts at Tenzing–Hillary Airport (LUA) in Lukla, at about 2,845 m. Flights from Kathmandu or Ramechhap run only in daylight and good weather, and wind or cloud often delays them or closes the airport. We cannot promise signal on the trails: we found no current coverage map from either operator for the Everest or Annapurna treks.

Tip: before a trek, download offline maps, permits and bookings in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and carry a power bank. Travelling on to India? Check which countries each plan covers and install the next plan over Wi-Fi before you cross. Keep your home SIM in for bank codes, with its roaming off.