Best Places to Exchange Money in Kathmandu

Nepali Rupee (NPR) is the official currency in Nepal. One rupee is equivalent to 100 paisa. Banknotes are issued in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 NPR bills. Coins are available in 1, 2, 5, and 10 NPR, but the 5 and 10 NPR coins are rarely used.

Like the way it is in many Asian cities, money changers are the best places to buy local currency in Kathmandu – best in the exchange rates and in the accessibility. They are favored by visitors that prefer bringing cash along than withdrawing local Rupees from ATMs to avoid cross-country transaction charges.

Find those government-certified money changers on Thamel Marg street, Chaksibari Marg street, and near Durbar Square. They, not all but most of them, accept all major currencies and serve customers 7 days a week, so no need to rush for the service on weekdays.

Read on to know more about the top recommended money changers in Kathmandu.

Thamel District, the top tourist neighborhood in Kathmandu, is where travelers (mostly mountaineers) gather and prepare for their Himalayan adventures. As the result, hotels, restaurants, and shops line Thamel Marg, the main street of the area, to cater for various interests and needs.

Money changers also call Thamel Marg home, offering service everyday of the week, usually from 8AM to 8PM. They are located in close proximity to one another so you can easily drop by a few to look for the most favorable rates if you find it necessary to do so. Most major currencies are accepted in this area.

RECOMMENDED MONEY CHANGERS
1) Annapurna Money Exchange

• This shop is situated right beside Om Tara Guest House
• Address: Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4218091
• Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 21:00

2) Laxmi Money Exchange

• It is located near Hotel Travelers
• Address: Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4263094
• Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 20:00

3) North Point Money Exchange

• This store is located near Hotel Great Wall, Backyard Hotel, and Hotel Pokhara Peace
• Address: Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4212851
• Opening hours: Daily 07:00 – 20:00

4) Lotus Money Exchange

• It is just a 1-minute walk from Thamel Chowk
• Address: Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4410841
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday 10:00 – 18:00

5) Eco Money Exchange

• This shop is situated near Best Shopping Center
• Address: Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4417368
• Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00*

6) Dolphin Money Exchange

• This store is located beside Kuberya Mahal Hotel
• Address: Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4414980
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday 09:00 – 19:30

7) Alpine Money Exchange

• It is just a 1-minute walk from Thamel Chowk
• Address: Narsingh Chowk Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4215979
• Opening hours: Daily 09:00 – 18:00*

*Opening hours may vary. Call first before visiting.

Chaksibari Marg, a street parallel to Thamel Marg, is another place in Thamel to check out for money changers with good rates. Those forex shops sit close to one another and are even in walking distance from their counterparts on Thamel Marg.

RECOMMENDED MONEY CHANGERS
1) East & West Money Exchange

• This shop is located near Casa de Koffee and V-Tex fashion shop
• Address: Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4700676
• Opening hours: Daily 09:30 – 18:30

2) A One Money Changer

• This store is situated near Hotel Holiday House and Holy Lodge
• Address: Saat Ghumti Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4700690
• Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 18:00

3) Kanchanjungha Money Exchange

• It is located beside Acme Guest House
• Address: Seven Corner, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu 44601, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4700206
• Opening hours: Daily 07:00 – 20:00

4) Himalaya Money Exchange

• This shop sits beside Zen Spa
• Address: Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4701149
• Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 21:00

5) Universal Money Exchange

• This store is situated beside KC’s Restaurant & Bar
• Address: Paryatan Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4700147
• Opening hours: Daily 07:30 – 20:30

Aside from Thamel Marg and Chaksibari Marg, the streets surrounding Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are also home to reliable money changers. Those whose accommodation is near to this most popular attraction of Nepal should check out the forex shops on Freak Street, Sukra Path, and Dharma Path.

RECOMMENDED MONEY CHANGERS
1) Basantapur Money Exchange

• This shop is located near Annapurna Hotel, a 2-minute walk from Durbar Square
• Address: Freak St., Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4215471
• Opening hours: Daily 08:00 – 20:00

2) Continental Money Exchange

• This store is located inside Bishal Bazar shopping mall, a 4-minute walk from Durbar Square
• Address: Bishal Bazar, Sukra Path, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4223693
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday 10:00 – 18:00

3) NBL Satahi

• This branch is located near Juddha Samsher statue and Bhugol Park
• Address: Dharma Path, New Rd, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1- 4247999
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday 10:00 – 16:00

Banks are the closest alternative to forex shops when it comes to buying Nepali Rupees in Kathmandu, though their rates are always lower. Those prefer bank’s service can find branches of the top Nepal’s banks near major tourist sites of Kathmandu.

Note that banking hours are limited and transactions may take longer time. Don’t forget to bring your passport or other IDs for a successful transaction.

RECOMMENDED BANK BRANCHES
1) Himalayan Bank @ Thamel branch

• This branch is just a 1-minute walk from the Garden of Dreams
• Address: Karmachari Sanchaya Kosh Building, Tridevi Sadak, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4250202
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00
• Exchange rates

2) Everest Bank @ Thamel branch

• This branch is nestled at A1 Business Complex
• Address: A1 Business Complex, Thamel Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4443377
• Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 10:00 – 15:00; Friday 10:00 – 13:00
• Exchange rates

3) Siddhartha Bank @ Thamel branch

• This branch sits near Kathamndu Resort Hotel
• Address: Mandala Deep Complex, Thamel, Kathmandu 13806, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4701340
• Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 10:00 – 17:00; Friday 10:00 – 14:00
• Exchange rates

4) Nepal Investment Bank @ Kathmandu Durbar Square branch

• This branch is a 1-minute walk from Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Address: Layaku Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-4227032
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday 09:30 – 18:00; Saturday 15:00 – 18:00

5) SBI Bank @ Pashupatinath branch

• Its location is at the entrance of Pashupatinath Temple
• Address: Pashupatinath Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
• Phone: +977 1-2095020
• Opening hours: Sunday to Friday 10:00 – 15:00, closed on Saturday