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← Flight route ☏
Flight route

Delhi to Nepal: Flight route

Written by The Trip Keeper team Content updated 30 Oct 2026 Facts last checked 30 Oct 2026
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The short answer

Three airlines fly nonstop from Delhi to Kathmandu - IndiGo, Air India and Nepal Airlines - in about 2 hours. It barely qualifies as international travel: Indians need no visa for Nepal (a passport or Election ID is enough), and Nepal is just 15 minutes ahead of India (UTC+5:45), so there is no jet lag. All flights land at Tribhuvan International (KTM), about 6 km from Thamel, Kathmandu's tourist quarter.

At a glance

Departure airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Nonstop flights
Yes[1]
Typical nonstop time
2 h[1]
Typical best one-stop time
5 h[1]
Time difference
15 min ahead of India[2]
Arrival airports
Indira Gandhi International, Delhi (Terminal 3 for international departures) (DEL)
Tribhuvan International, Kathmandu - about 6 km from Thamel; prepaid taxis and hotel pickups at arrivals (KTM)[1]

Airlines on this route

AirlineRoute
IndiGo Nonstop[1] · checked 30 Oct 2026
Air India Nonstop[1] · checked 30 Oct 2026
Nepal Airlines Nonstop[1] · checked 30 Oct 2026

We do not show fares, because we have no live prices. Ask the airline, or ask us: we book the flights together with the trip.

Layovers

At 2 hours nonstop, no layover ever makes sense on this route - the three direct airlines cover the day well. If you are combining Nepal with a longer Indian trip, remember the open land border: many families fly into Kathmandu and out from another city, or cross by road from Bihar or UP. For Pokhara, fly to Kathmandu and take the 25-minute domestic hop or the 6-7 hour tourist bus; there are no international flights into Pokhara from India.

When to book

Compare IndiGo, Air India and Nepal Airlines - fares move independently and this short route often prices like a domestic flight. Book early for the October-November peak (clear mountain skies, Dashain and Tihar) when Delhi-Kathmandu seats sell out, and remember every family member still needs a passport or Election ID even though there is no visa.

[1]

For parents and seniors

At 2 hours with almost no time difference, this is the gentlest international flight from India for parents. Ask for wheelchair assistance at booking - Tribhuvan is a small, older terminal with some walking - and pre-arrange the hotel pickup or use the prepaid taxi counter at arrivals; Thamel is 20-40 minutes depending on traffic.

Our editorial view

Everything about Nepal

Trips to Delhi to Nepal

We have no open trip to Delhi to Nepal right now. Tell us your dates and we will help you find one.

Quick questions

Which airlines fly nonstop from Delhi to Kathmandu?

Three: IndiGo, Air India and Nepal Airlines, all nonstop from Delhi to Tribhuvan International (KTM), taking about 2 hours.

How long is the flight from Delhi to Kathmandu?

About 2 hours nonstop - shorter than Delhi to Mumbai. There is no sensible one-stop routing; the three direct airlines cover the day.

Do Indian passports need a visa for Nepal?

No visa at all. Indian citizens enter Nepal freely under the open border: carry a valid passport or an Election ID (voter card). Children 15-18 can use a school identity certificate, and children under 15 and elders over 65 need only any photo ID. See our Nepal visa guide for the full document rules.

What is the time difference between India and Nepal?

Nepal is 15 minutes ahead of India (UTC+5:45) - one of the quirks of flying "ahead" into a country you can drive to. No jet lag; just set your watch forward a quarter hour.

How do I get from Kathmandu airport to Thamel?

Tribhuvan International is about 6 km from Thamel, Kathmandu's tourist quarter: 20 to 40 minutes by prepaid taxi (fixed-rate counter at arrivals) or a pre-arranged hotel pickup. Avoid unmetered taxis at the gate.

Can I fly directly to Pokhara or Lukla from India?

No - all international arrivals use Kathmandu. From there, Pokhara is a 25-minute domestic flight or a 6-7 hour tourist bus, and Lukla (the Everest trailhead) is a small mountain flight from Kathmandu or Ramechhap. Book domestic sectors ahead in October-November.

Sources

  1. FlightsFrom.com: Direct (non-stop) flights from Delhi to Kathmandu - schedules · checked 30 Oct 2026
  2. timeanddate.com: Time Zone & Clock Changes in Kathmandu, Nepal · checked 30 Oct 2026
  3. Department of Immigration, Nepal: Information for Indian Nationals · checked 30 Oct 2026
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