Money Matter in Nepal
Remember: Check your credit card expiration dates if you are leaving for an extended journey.
Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency. US dollar traveler's checks can be purchased from American Express at Durbar Marg and other major banks in Kathmandu . Banks typically charge 1% of the face value to cash traveler's checks.
When traveling around Nepal , change large bills whenever you can. Taxis, Bicycle Rickshaws and small shops seldom have small bills. Do not be afraid to ask local shops for change, but expect to ask three or four before someone can/will change your large bill.
ATMs
All major commercials banks of Nepal including Standard Charted Bank, Nabils Bank etc are offering ATM service in it's different branches in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can get cash advances on both Visa and Master card. These ATMs are accessible 24 hours a day. One is located down the drive to the Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, another one is next to the Roadhouse Cafe in Thamel.
Banks
Banks are open 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday, Nepal Bank Ltd. on New Road (Ph: 4221185) is open 7 am to 7 pm all days of the week. The Kantipath branch (Ph: 4227375) is open 9 am to 3.30 pm Monday through Friday, 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, and closed on Sunday. Rastriya Banijya Bank exchange counter at Bishal Bazaar (Ph: 4223776) is open 9 am to 3 pm daily except holidays.
Nepal Bangladesh Bank at Kathmandu Plaza (Ph: 4258308) is open 9 am to 3.30 pm , and its branch at New Road (Ph: 4256734) is open till 7 pm. Standard Charted Bank (used to be Grindlays Bank) on Kantipath (Ph: 4228474) is open 9.30 am to 3.30 pm . There is also an ATM here for Visa and Mastercard access. Counters of Himalayan Bank at Thamel (Ph: 4227749) open 9 am to 3.30 pm and New Road (Ph: 4243107) are open 9 am to 5.30 pm , closed on Saturdays. Other banks are Nepal Arab Bank, Kantipath (Ph: 4226786); Nepal SBI Bank, Durbar Marg (Ph: 4225326); Everest Bank, New Baneswar (Ph: 4482578); Nepal Indosuez Bank, Durbar Marg (Ph: 4228229); Nepal Sri Lanka Merchant Bank, Bagh Bazar (Ph: 4227555) and the Bank of Kathmandu, Thamel (Ph: 4430640). The counters of licensed money changers are open 12 hours a day.
Currency and Exchange rates
Exchange rates are published in English daily newspapers such as The Rising Nepal and The Kathmandu Post. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa.
Check the current Forex as set by the National Bank of Nepal.
