---
title: "Staying Connected in Nepal: SIM Cards, Wifi and Power"
canonical: "https://lokoon.com/guides/sim-cards-internet-power"
author: "Lokoon"
published: "2026-11-15T04:42:19.467401+00:00"
modified: "2026-11-15T04:42:19.467559+00:00"
kind: "guide"
---

# Staying Connected in Nepal: SIM Cards, Wifi and Power

> How to get mobile data, what coverage to expect in cities and mountains, and how to keep devices charged on the road.

Staying online in Nepal is easier and cheaper than many visitors expect. Mobile data is inexpensive, wifi is nearly universal in tourist accommodation, and signal reaches a surprising distance into the mountains. The main things to sort out are which SIM to buy and how to keep your phone alive when sockets are scarce.
Buying a local SIM
Two operators dominate: Nepal Telecom, the state-owned company, often called NTC, and Ncell, a private network. Both sell prepaid tourist SIMs.
Where to buy. Counters for both operators are in the arrivals area of Kathmandu's international airport, and this is the simplest place to do it. You can also buy at the operators' own shops and authorised dealers in Thamel, Pokhara's Lakeside and other towns.
What you need. Your passport, a copy of its photo page and visa, and usually a passport-sized photograph. Staff will register the SIM in your name and activate it. Ask them to set up a data pack and check that it works before you walk away.
Cost. The SIM itself is cheap or free, and data bundles are very affordable. Packs are sold by volume and validity, for example a set number of gigabytes over seven, fifteen or thirty days. Top-ups are available at any small shop displaying the operator's logo, or through the operators' apps.
eSIMs. If your phone supports them, local operators and international travel-eSIM providers both offer options. An international eSIM can be set up before you land, though it usually costs more per gigabyte than a local SIM.
Which network?
- In cities and along highways, both are fast and reliable, with 4G widely available.

- In the hills and mountains, coverage varies valley by valley. Nepal Telecom generally reaches more remote areas, while Ncell is strong on some popular trekking routes. Guides know which works where.

- Serious trekkers sometimes carry both, since SIMs are so inexpensive.

No network covers everything. Expect gaps on trails between villages and in deep gorges.
Wifi
Hotels, guesthouses, cafés and restaurants in tourist areas almost all offer free wifi. Speeds are adequate for messaging, maps and calls, and less dependable for large uploads or video meetings. Power cuts and weather occasionally interrupt service.
On treks, many lodges sell wifi access by the hour or the day, at prices that rise with altitude. In some regions it is provided through prepaid cards that work at participating lodges along the route. Connections are slow, shared among many users and affected by cloud and snow. Treat any connectivity above the tree line as a bonus.
Offline preparation
Before leaving a city:
- Download offline maps of the areas you will visit.

- Save copies of your passport, visa, permits, insurance policy and tickets to your phone and to cloud storage.

- Download a translation pack for Nepali.

- Note emergency numbers, your embassy's contact details and your insurer's assistance line.

Electricity
Voltage and frequency. 230 volts, 50 hertz.
Sockets. A mixture. The commonest take two or three round pins, of the kinds used in continental Europe and in India. Many hotel rooms have multi-standard sockets that accept several plug shapes. A universal adapter covers all cases.
Supply. The long daily power cuts that once defined life in Kathmandu ended several years ago. Brief outages still occur, more so in the dry season and in rural areas, and most hotels have backup systems.
Surges. Voltage can fluctuate. A small surge protector is a sensible precaution for laptops and camera chargers.
Charging on the trail
Mountain lodges run on solar panels or small hydroelectric plants.
- In lower villages, rooms may have a socket and charging is free.

- Higher up, charging is done at a shared power strip in the dining room for a fee per device or per hour.

- Supply is limited on cloudy days, and queues form in the evening.

Bring a power bank large enough to recharge your phone several times, and top it up whenever you find cheap or free electricity. In cold conditions batteries drain quickly, so keep your phone and power bank inside your jacket by day and in your sleeping bag at night. A small solar panel strapped to a rucksack helps on long treks. Switch to flight mode while walking to save power.
Checklist
Buy a SIM at the airport, download offline maps, pack a universal adapter and a good power bank, and you will be as connected as you need to be almost anywhere in the country.

Source: https://lokoon.com/guides/sim-cards-internet-power