Is Kathmandu safe?

Is Kathmandu safe to visit in November 2026?

Kathmandu carries real risks, and governments currently advise caution, so we can’t call it safe overall. Read your own government’s advice, because your insurance may depend on it.

We read each source below on 5 November 2026. The advice changes, so treat these as dated snapshots.

We read the US position through the press, because the State Department site refused our automated request. Ratopati gives 4 September 2026 as the issue date, and Nepal News reported an update on 31 August, so the exact date is unclear. The Kathmandu Post reports that the US lowered Nepal from Level 3 to Level 2 on or about 31 March 2026.

Check your government’s page before you travel. Its current wording overrides anything here.

What happened in September 2025?

Nationwide protests in September 2025 killed at least 76 people and brought down the government. The unrest ran from 8 to 13 September. It followed a government order shutting down 26 social media platforms, and anger over corruption.

• Deaths: figures differ. Wikipedia cites a Nepali Army report for 76 deaths, and a government figure of 2,660 injured. Al Jazeera wrote “at least 77” in March 2026.
• Buildings: parts of Singha Durbar and the Supreme Court, the parliament building, the prime minister’s and president’s residences and a Hilton hotel were burned or damaged.
• Curfew: imposed in Kathmandu and other cities on 8 September, and lifted in the Kathmandu area on 13 September.
• Airport: the army closed Tribhuvan International Airport on 9 September, and it reopened after the closure was briefly extended on 10 September.
• Politics: Sushila Karki became interim prime minister on 12 September 2025. An election was held on 5 March 2026.

The US advisory, as reported by the Kathmandu Post in April 2026, says the nationwide protests have ended and security is stable, but local unrest can still occur.

What has happened in Nepal in 2026?

Protests and local violence have continued in 2026, along with serious flooding. These are the main events we found in reputable reports. It isn’t a complete list.

• March 2026: the election took place, and the US lowered its advisory at the end of the month.
• July 2026, Kathmandu: hundreds marched after a ride-sharing driver died following a dispute with municipal police. The Federal reported demands for an investigation, plus protests over evictions from riverside settlements and dozens of arrests.
• Late July 2026, south-east Nepal: clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups left three dead, with curfews in Sunsari and nearby districts, according to Al Jazeera. The article doesn’t mention Kathmandu.
• 26 August 2026, Rasuwa: flash flooding caused severe damage in Rasuwa and the Nepal-China border area, according to the UK. This is why Canada and the US single out that area.

We found no reports of a curfew or major incident in Kathmandu in October 2026. That only means our search found none, so check local news.

How dangerous are the roads in Kathmandu?

Road crashes are a leading danger for visitors, and the UK calls road accidents a major cause of death and injury in Nepal. It blames overloaded vehicles, speeding, mechanical failure and unregulated private vehicles.

• Buses: Canada and the UK warn that accidents are common and advise against night travel by bus.
• Motorbikes: the US CDC advises avoiding motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis.
• After dark: Canada advises against driving after dark and suggests hiring a driver. The CDC notes that street lighting may be poor.
• Walking: traffic drives on the left, so look right first.

Prices for cars and app rides are in the Kathmandu taxi fare guide.

Is altitude a problem in Kathmandu?

Altitude isn’t usually the concern in Kathmandu itself, which sits at about 1,324 to 1,400 metres. The US CDC gives 1,324 m, and Wikipedia gives about 1,400 m. The CDC says altitude illness risk begins at a sleeping altitude of about 2,450 m, and sometimes lower.

Air quality is often the bigger issue. The CDC says air pollution in the valley is frequent, and that people with heart or lung conditions can have flare-ups. Children and older adults are most vulnerable.

Is the water safe to drink in Kathmandu?

Don’t drink the tap water. The US CDC says tap water in Nepal isn’t considered safe, and travellers should drink only boiled or bottled water. In 2022, Nepal’s Epidemiology and Disease Control Division found nearly 70 percent of drinking water samples contaminated, in samples taken from valley areas with cholera cases. Those samples included bottled jar water, so choose sealed bottles.

The CDC also says typhoid risk among visitors to Nepal is among the highest in the world. It recommends the vaccine for most travellers, and hepatitis A for unvaccinated travellers. Speak to a travel clinic before you go. Food advice is on the local food in Kathmandu page.

What should you know about earthquakes?

Nepal has common earth tremors, and a large earthquake can strike without warning. The 2015 earthquake killed more than 9,000 people, according to the US CDC. The UK warns that a lack of emergency equipment and poorly resourced medical facilities would likely worsen the impact of another.

No one can predict the next one. Ask your hotel about its emergency plan, and agree a meeting point with your group. The UK also says that transport, accommodation and basic services would likely be disrupted.

What scams and crime should you watch for?

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are the crimes you’re most likely to meet, especially at the airport, on buses and in tourist areas. Canada says crime rises in the September to November festival season.

• Touts: The Longest Way Home warns of unofficial guides near Kathmandu Durbar Square’s entrances. It also says some sadhus (Hindu holy men) ask for money after photos.
• Drinks: the UK warns of drink spiking and methanol poisoning, which you can’t detect by taste or smell. Canada also advises against food or drinks from new acquaintances.
• Rescue fraud: Canada and the UK warn of helicopter rescue and insurance scams on treks.
• Photos: Canada says photographing military sites, checkpoints or personnel is prohibited.
• After dark: the UK says robberies are more likely after dark in poorly lit areas, so don’t walk alone at night.

Strikes known as bandhs can start at short notice, and Canada advises avoiding public transport during them.

Is Kathmandu safe for solo women?

Solo women should take extra care after dark, especially in Thamel. Canada says women travelling alone face a higher risk of harassment. The UK says women have been sexually assaulted in tourist areas, including Thamel and Sanepa. More detail is on our page for solo women.

What are the emergency numbers in Nepal?

The main emergency numbers are 100 for police, 101 for fire, 102 for ambulance and 1144 for the tourist police. The UK and Canadian governments both list these. Save them in your phone before you travel.

The ambulance number has limits. The UK says there is no central public ambulance service, and advises calling the nearest hospital in an emergency. The CDC says CIWEC Hospitals in Kathmandu and Pokhara specialise in foreign travellers, and warns that patients are occasionally taken to another hospital without consent. Carry the names of the hospitals you’d prefer.

The tourist police office line in Kathmandu is +977 1 5347041, according to Nepal Police and the UK. Canada lists a different number, +977 1 424 7041. Use 1144 first. Your insurance should cover evacuation, since Canada says serious cases often go to Bangkok, New Delhi or Singapore.

Before you fly, register with your embassy if your country offers it, then reread your government’s advice the day before you leave.