How To travel To Nepal From The UK: Do Not Skip This Country When You Backpack Asia
The Day We Left Everything Behind To Travel The World
On July 1st, 2024, we began our epic journey to travel the world together. The first country on our list was none other than Nepal, a nation so unique and rich in history that its national flag is the only one in the world that isn't rectangular. Nepal’s flag consists of two stacked triangles, symbolizing the Himalayas and representing the two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism. This is, hands down, our favourite flag of all the countries. Not sure if it’s a thing to have a favourite flag, but we have one now…
Our journey to Nepal also marks our first trip where we would carry everything we needed (or at least think we needed) for the next six months in massive backpacks. So, we can officially call ourselves backpackers now. The story of how we came to own our backpacking bags is actually pretty lucky. Back in the summer of 2022, Max was working a summer job as a real estate agency assistant in Oxford. One day, he had to check a property where the tenants had just moved out, and there he found two North Face backpacks left behind. He asked his manager if he could keep them, and to his surprise, his manager said, "Of course, the tenants left them behind on purpose, so they’re all yours." To add to the luck of getting these two brand-new, high-quality backpacks, one was a male fit of 75-litre, and the other was a smaller 45-litre female fit—the perfect sizes for each of us.
With our backpacks ready, we locked up all our belongings in a storage unit and drove a Zipcar to London St Pancras International, where our 34-minute train to Luton Airport awaited. Two one-way tickets to Luton Airport cost us only £28.80, and the journey was very smooth. We recommend purchasing your tickets on “Trainline” as it is very easy and efficient. Just one thing to be aware of when booking your train to Luton Airport: make sure you select “Luton Airport” when purchasing your tickets. When you arrive at the station, you will need to change to Luton’s own transfer train, which is included only if your final destination is set to Luton Airport. If not, you will have to purchase a separate ticket. It might sound silly, but we made this mistake in the past, so we’re sharing this tip to help you avoid it.
You’re probably wondering how we planned to get from Luton Airport to the other side of the world, Nepal! Like many backpackers, we’re on a budget. We quit our jobs to travel the world, which means we need to save money whenever we can. What better opportunity to save money than when booking flights? As you probably know, flights from the United Kingdom to Asia can be quite expensive, especially if you want to get there quickly.
Here’s a quick rundown: according to Booking.com, there are 33 airlines that fly from the UK to Nepal, and the average flight time is around 15 hours and 39 minutes. This is pretty good, considering you’ll need to connect somewhere since there are no direct flights to Nepal. However, the price tag for these "quicker" flights didn’t align with our budget. Spending around £1,000 to £1,500 per ticket would mean our trip would have to be shorter than 6 months, and that just wasn’t an option for us.
Cheap Way To Travel From The UK To Nepal
As most people know, London is a very expensive city. So, we wondered if it might be cheaper to fly to another city or even another country first and then travel to Nepal from there. And yes, it was! It might sound crazy, but we decided to embark on a 39-hour journey to reach Nepal, which ended up costing £607.96 in total for both of us. We saved a substantial amount of money by making our journey slightly longer and adding a few extra stops along the way. Let’s break down the trip into four parts, which will hopefully help you plan your journey and save a few bucks on your way to Nepal.
Part 1: Avoid Long-Haul Flights From London – Explore Other Cities And Countries
When we were researching tickets from London to Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, we found that the cheapest flights were no less than £1,500, with layovers in Istanbul or Dubai. So, we began searching for flights departing from nearby cities like Manchester and Bristol, but the prices were quite similar. However, when we checked flights from Dublin Airport in Ireland, we were shocked to see a one-way ticket priced at £293. This ticket was with an airline we had never heard of before, IndiGo, known as India’s most affordable airline.
Now, it’s very important to note that this flight was from Dublin to Kathmandu (with 2 stops), and we’ll explain why this is so crucial later in the blog. Make sure to read until the end, as this could save you a significant amount of money!
We knew we wouldn’t find a better price than this, but before getting too excited, we had to check if travelling from London to Dublin would be easy and affordable. Two one-way flights with Ryanair from London Luton Airport to Dublin Airport cost us only £101.96, and we also included a 20kg bag each in the price. The flight from London Luton to Dublin is just one hour, and there are plenty of hotels around. We stayed at the Radisson Blu Dublin Hotel, but if you prefer, you can also sleep at the airport, where there are plenty of comfortable chairs. We found a really helpful website called “Sleeping in Airports”, which provides everything you need to know about sleeping at various airports, not just Dublin.
Part 2: Get Plenty Of Rest Before Your Long-Haul Trip, Or You Might Miss Your Flight
This part of the trip was filled with stress and tears. It might not be the case for everyone, but the night before our flight to Dublin, we barely got any sleep as we packed up and cleaned our entire flat in London to move out and store everything. Safe to say, we were absolutely exhausted.
We checked into our hotel, just two minutes away from Dublin Airport, and our flight was scheduled for 10:35 am the next day. To our surprise, Carol woke up at 9:15 am and started panicking (as she should), and chaos ensued. We both ran around frantically trying to pack everything, with Carol in tears. We caught a taxi and arrived at the airport at 9:40 am, and at this point, most people would have given up, convinced they were going to miss their flight.
However, when we reached the check-in desk, the staff told us we were lucky because they were experiencing technical issues that day, allowing us to check in our bags. What we didn’t expect was that our tickets were on “standby”, meaning we didn’t have confirmed seats on the plane. After about 35 minutes of anxiety, we received confirmation that seats were available—thank God! This flight, with Turkish Airlines (part of the booking with IndiGo, as they are partners), would take us to… you guessed it… Turkey.
As we approached the boarding gate, a Turkish Airlines staff member spotted us from afar and sprinted over in panic, asking, “TELL ME YOU HAVE A VISA FOR INDIA!” Of course, we started to share the panic, as we didn’t have one. Based on our research, this wasn’t required. After ten stressful minutes, the staff confirmed that we did not need a visa for India since we were flying with IndiGo for our last two flights (again, more about this later in this blog).
The flight to Istanbul was around three hours long, and we even had in-flight entertainment. We’re talking free food, though, unfortunately for Carol, they only offered vegetarian options. This was great for Max, who ended up eating lunch twice because Carol doesn’t eat veggies. Additionally, the plane had small screens with TV shows and the latest movies. We almost managed to watch Dune 2, but sadly, Max fell asleep within two minutes of it starting.
We finally arrived at Istanbul Airport at 5:10 pm. We know we said the flight was around three hours, so the timing might seem off. But remember, there’s a two-hour time difference between Dublin and Istanbul. Once we arrived, we proceeded to look for the IndiGo help desk as instructed by the ground staff in Dublin. When we found it, we realised it was going to be another close call for our next flight, as the staff were very slow in printing our boarding passes. At least they confirmed that our bags were being transferred to the next flight.
Before we could board our next flight, we quickly explored Istanbul Airport, which, by the way, has been one of the most beautiful airports we’ve ever visited. Carol spotted a McDonald’s in the food court and given that she hadn’t eaten any meat all day, her stomach was craving some chicken. Unfortunately, we didn’t have an internet connection, and the airport doesn’t offer open Wi-Fi, so we had to order food without knowing how much we were paying in our currency.
One thing we wish we’d discovered at this point is an app called “Converter.” It’s a currency exchange converter app that works offline and became our best friend during our travels. Make sure to download it before you travel to avoid spending £36 at McDonald’s (we’re on a budget, remember?).
The Wi-Fi issue was easily resolved when we realised that connecting required using kiosk machines placed around the airport. You need to scan your passport at one of these machines, and a unique code is generated, allowing you to connect to the Wi-Fi. I suppose it’s a good way to prevent people from doing anything questionable on the airport Wi-Fi, as they can track exactly who it was—awkward.
Part 3: Our Dreaded Flight To Delhi, India: The Fear Of Losing Our Drone At Indira Gandhi International Airport Security
The first time we boarded an IndiGo plane, we were impressed. The aircraft looked very new, and for a five-hour flight, we didn’t expect a massive Boeing-style plane. Interestingly, IndiGo Airlines did not offer free food like Turkish Airlines did. Instead, the flight attendants went around with a trolley and a card machine, as is common on many European flights. However, when the flight attendant reached us, she handed us each a tray with food. It turned out that our ticket included pre-booked food, though we hadn’t paid for it separately. Perhaps because we had booked all the tickets together, food was included. We can’t quite explain it.
The food was nice, and the plane was comfortable, but all we could manage to do was sleep. It felt like we were possessed—constantly falling asleep yet feeling restless throughout the journey.
The reason we were dreading the flight to Delhi was that, a few weeks before our trip, we started seeing numerous Instagram reels about the strictness of Delhi Airport (Indira Gandhi International Airport). We read stories about people having their drones confiscated, which gave us significant anxiety. A trick we learned from travellers who had lost their drones at Delhi Airport was to carry the drone’s body in checked baggage while keeping the remote and the RC controller in carry-on bags.
After a slightly turbulent flight, we landed at New Delhi Airport, and the moment of truth arrived: testing out the drone theory. We made our way to security, and as mentioned by other travellers, the thorough search of our cabin bags began. The security guards removed everything from our bags, opening every pocket and case they could find. When they reached the drone bag at the bottom of Max’s backpack, the guard slowly opened it, removed all the items, and turned to his colleague to say, “No drone.” We can’t emphasise enough how disappointed he looked when he said that—almost as if he was angry. At that moment, we were incredibly relieved that we had learned this trick before our flight, as previously, we had always carried the drone and all other items in our cabin bags.
If you have any experiences to share about connecting at New Delhi Airport, please leave a comment so we can all learn from them. Everything was fine, and we moved on to our next and final connection, flying to Kathmandu.
Part 4: The Final Flight In Our 39-Hour Journey - Nepal Here We Come
Having travelled through three time zones on this journey, it was now the 3rd of July at seven in the morning, and we were finally about to arrive in Nepal. Our excitement was slightly overshadowed by how tired we were, which was unusual since we had slept on every single flight. To our surprise, the flight from New Delhi to Kathmandu was quite empty. The only notable moment was when the flight attendant delivered our bag filled with snacks and a sandwich. Once again, we were told that our meal had been pre-booked. If you’re like Carol and don’t eat veggies, make sure to bring some snacks for a journey like this, as every meal we were served was vegetarian.
At 10:30 am (Nepal time), we touched down in Kathmandu and successfully retrieved both of our bags at the baggage claim. Overall, it was an extremely lucky journey, though hopping between time zones was challenging and left us feeling pretty exhausted. Just make sure not to make any plans for your first day in Kathmandu, because you’ll likely want to head straight to a comfortable bed as soon as you arrive—just as we did.
Top Tips For Those Taking A Connecting Flight Through Delhi, India To Nepal
Tip number one: Don’t do it! Just kidding. While flying through India was an absolute pain for us, it doesn’t mean it has to be for you. If you do choose to fly through India to reach your final destination, here’s what we learned from our personal experience and from stories shared by other travellers we’ve met.
Check the visa requirements
As mentioned earlier in the blog, we had a scare related to not having a visa for India. Remember, we were flying with IndiGo for the last two flights, and this was what saved us. Connecting through India without a visa was only possible because our flights into and out of India were with the same airline, IndiGo. This meant we didn’t have to leave the international transit area and go through customs to retrieve our bags. We went straight through the transfer gate, and our bags were handled by the ground staff at the airport.
This concept applies to any flight connecting through India. You must buy your ticket from one airline, which will issue you a Passenger Name Record (PNR), and you must transit within 24 hours of arrival. Unfortunately, we were caught out when flying from Nepal, transiting through India to get to Vietnam. We were denied boarding and lost over £400. Despite doing our research and meeting the criteria of a connection within 24 hours with proof of onward travel, the airline refused to let us board because our next flight was not with a partner airline. We would therefore have to leave the international transit area and re-check our bags, which was not allowed without a visa.
You can watch the full video below and let us know your thoughts. We’re not trying to shift blame, but while other airlines informed us of visa requirements, we found that Vistara specifically had very poor customer service and a lack of support.
Transit Visa Required for India? Apply at Least 2-4 Weeks in Advance
The processing time for an Indian transit visa can vary depending on your country of residence and the time of year (e.g., during peak travel seasons, processing might take longer). Typically, it takes anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
Check Your Airline’s Luggage Policy
Confirm whether your luggage will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight. If not, you may need to collect and re-check your luggage, which could require passing through customs and immigration (for which you would need a visa).
Plan for Your Layover Time
If your ticket gives you only one hour to connect flights, look for another option, as it is too risky. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is large and busy, so allow sufficient time between flights—ideally at least 2-3 hours for international connections.
Consider Possible Delays
Factor in potential delays, especially if you need to clear security or customs. We spent at least 40 minutes getting through security, even though there was no queue.
Do NOT Carry the Body of Your Drone in Your Cabin Bag
It will very likely be confiscated, even if you are just transiting. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but it’s best to avoid the stress and potential loss by placing it in your checked baggage. You must carry the batteries in your cabin bag, as lithium batteries are not allowed in checked luggage. The RC controller and other accessories can be carried in your cabin bag, and they should pass through without issues.
Wi-Fi at Delhi Airport
The Wi-Fi process at Delhi Airport is similar to Istanbul’s and is free but for a limited time. For long layovers, consider getting an e-SIM or paying to access one of the lounges.
Remember: No Visa, No Exit
If you do not have a visa for India, stay within the international transit area. Leaving the transit area requires a visa.
Is IndiGo Airline Any Good?
Before buying a ticket with IndiGo Airlines, we did extensive research since we hadn’t heard of the airline before. Initially, we thought it might be a third party offering very cheap flights. However, we discovered that IndiGo is a major Indian low-cost airline, one of the largest and most popular in the country. Having booked our journey from Dublin to Kathmandu with IndiGo, here are our ratings and opinions:
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Our rating: 4/5
We rated customer service 4 out of 5 because, while the ground staff at the check-in counters were not very friendly, the main issue was their slow processing of our boarding tickets. This delay forced us to rush to our next flight.
On the other hand, at other times, we encountered no issues and were generally satisfied with the service.
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The seats were pretty comfortable and looked quite new. It feels good to get on a plane that doesn’t look like it’s falling apart. However, the fact that all the food on the flights was only vegetarian was a massive letdown for us, as we are used to consuming meat every day.
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Our rating: 1/5
We gave it a score of one because we could view our booking information on the IndiGo app. However, being an Indian airline, it’s impossible to create an account without an Indian phone number. We tried multiple times to create an account, but the one-time passcode sent to our UK phone number never arrived, preventing us from checking-in in advance.
Additionally, we didn’t realize that we needed to check-in for the first flight on the Turkish Airlines website using the PNR. So, if your booking includes flights with different airlines, make sure to check-in through each airline’s website if you can't do it through IndiGo.
What Documents Should You Prepare For Your Trip To Nepal?
Travelling to new countries can sometimes be extremely stressful, especially when figuring out all the requirements and documentation. For those who love to be organised and prepared for any scenario, we’ve prepared a checklist for your trip to Nepal. You can download it for free at the end of this blog post.
Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, we were relieved that we had opted for the e-visa in advance, instead of the visa on arrival. There were long queues of people filling out their information on the screens, and given how tired we were, we just wanted to get to our hotel as quickly as possible. All we had to do was present our printed e-visa at the cashier's desk and pay the visa fee.
We initially thought Nepal was primarily a trekking destination (which turned out to be a misconception, we will dive into this in future blogs), so we only planned to stay for 15 days. The 15-day visa cost us $30 each, but there are also options for 30-day and 90-day visas.
We applied for the e-visa a couple of weeks in advance. To be honest, we found the application process slightly confusing. When applying for Carol’s tourist visa, who holds both Portuguese and Brazilian passports, the system automatically requested her phone number and residential address in Portugal. The problem was that Carol had never lived in Portugal; she only has the passport due to family descent. So, Carol had to choose the United Kingdom, where we actually live. Long story short, when passing through passport control in Kathmandu, the officer gave her an earful, and she couldn’t explain why because the officer didn’t understand. From this experience, if you have a passport from a country you don’t reside in, you should enter details according to the passport’s origin, even if it means putting your UK number with the Portuguese country code.
At passport control, we had to pass through one at a time. The only things they requested were the visa and our passports. However, we still recommend preparing as many documents from the checklist as possible. Although immigration police may not always ask for additional paperwork, if you’re the one they do question and you’re missing documents, you might face a very stressful and lengthy process at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Our Final Thoughts On Our Journey To Nepal From The UK
Navigating a 39-hour journey across multiple time zones and airports can be a daunting task, but with careful planning and a few insider tips, you can make the experience smoother and less stressful. From avoiding long-haul flights from London to exploring alternative cities for better prices, we hope our journey through Delhi and our final flight to Kathmandu has provided valuable insights.
Remember to check visa requirements from official sources in advance and understand the unique rules of the airlines and airports you’ll be transiting through. Whether it's dealing with the challenge of flying with a drone or managing unexpected travel delays, being well-prepared can save you from unnecessary stress and expenses.
Lastly, always have a backup plan for your layovers and ensure you rest up before your trip. A well-prepared traveller is a happy traveller. If you have any personal experiences or additional tips about travelling to Nepal or navigating international airports, feel free to share them in the comments. Safe travels from Carma Adventures! 🌍✨
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