Hi All,

What is the best way to take money to Nepal. I have heard that travelers check get good conversion rate in Kathmandu banks, better than actual cash. But there is 2% fee to make travelers check. There is redemption fee also I believe. How much do they charge for ATM withdral in Kathmandu? Do I get a good conversion rate as well?

Can anyone with recent experience of Nepal visit give me some advice. I will really appreciate your help. Thank you in advance.

The best way is to roll ur cash in a thin piece of cloth and tie the cloth by ur arsh. Make sure u tie it strong enuff so that it wouldnt fall but also no so tight that it would stop ur blood circulations. Thats how my grandpa use to bring money home from india long time ago. Hope this helped u. By the way how much money u got? I wish i had enuff money to tie it on my arsh and fly.

Sidster,

Thanks for sharing the wonderful history of your family. The method of carrying money you have described is not necessary in today's age. I just needed smarter way so that I dont waste money on fees and conversion. By the way you can carry up to 10k cash I believe inside US but I dont know about Nepal.

खोई हाम्रा बाऊबाजेले त पानी बढेको बेलाँ दोरगँदी तरदा लगौँटीवाट टुप्‍पीमा नोटको बीटा गाँसेर पार गर्थे।

त्‍योपनि एकदिन त पानीको भेलले सोहेरेर वगाएपछि वन्‍धकी लुटेको धन लौ गगाँमातालाई भयो भनिदियो 'रे ।

On a serious note, yes, there are many exchange counters these days in Kathmandu.
However, I would not take the risk of carrying dollar bills more than 500 on my body.

Who says Nepal needs foreign exchange more than they already have? They use it in most unwise way. Mostly to support the unproductive embassy staff abroad, and to fund the junket trips of the government officials abroad. And even worst, they use it to buy the guns and arms for the top heavy demorised loyal Nepal army that is used in killing the Nepalis. That is a subject of debate for another time.

The Nepali expatriates who bring in the money in Nepal in foreign exchange are not treated properly. A budget hiker who spends $7 a day gets more respect from the immigration than a Nepali who brings in thousands of dollar from working abroad.

Use hundi. It is reliable. No one keeps money in Nepal. Only the corrupt politicians, businessmen and karmacharis with disposable income keep money in Nepal. Sad but it is true.

I only hope the situation will change rapidly to a more favourable situation for Nepalis living/earning abroad.

U got me there, on the serious note, U can travel around with 10k in US. Nepal govt doesnt really care about how much cash u bringin. I have taken up to 15k in cash one time. Is anyone travelling with u? Otherwise u can just split the cash with them at the security check point. That is the only place where they may find out how much u got? But most likely they shouldnt make big deal out of it. just put lik 7k in ur one pocke and the other 7k in another one..im sure they will not sit there and count ur cash.