Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through banks or authorized foreign exchange dealers. The receipts from such transaction are to be obtained and retained. Visitors can exchange money at the foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival also. Indian currency of Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 bills are not allowed to be brought into Nepal. They will not be exchanged and will not be accepted for transaction of any kind.
Credit cards like the American Express, Visa and Master Card are accepted. Convertible currencies are as follows: Dollar (U.S., Australian, Hong Kong, Canadian, Singapore); Euro ( French, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy); Pound (U.K.); Yen (Japan); Swiss Frank, Yaun (China). Please retain your encashment for changing back local currency into foreign currency on departure at exit points or at Tribhuvan International Airport departure lounge.
Banks in Kathmandu Valley are open between 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday. They are closed on Saturdays, Sunday and other public holidays. In other places banks are open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and government holidays. ATM machines are located in a few banks in the capital. Money can be transferred from other parts of the world from the numerous transfer agencies in the capital.