City in Bagmati Province, Nepal
Patan
Kathmandu Valley's old Newar city, with a stunning Durbar Square, craft workshops and quieter cafés than Thamel. Cheap and culturally rich; air pollution, dust and chaotic traffic are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$649–1,040Comfortable, one person · Rs100,000–160,000Details
- Value for money88/100Better value than 87% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–Apr, Oct–NovWarmest: May, 29°CDetails
- Air quality37 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · Severely pollutedDetails
- Internet89 MbpsFixed broadband, Nepal medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDon't drink tap water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$6–39Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundPathaoWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCash rules in markets, buses and taxis; cards at hotels and a few cafés.Details
Where to stay in Patan
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Patan Durbar Square and Mangal Bazaar | Old city, temples and traditional guesthouses |
| Jhamsikhel | Cafés, restaurants and expats; easiest for long stays |
| Pulchowk | Student area with cheaper eateries and bus links |
| Sanepa | Quiet residential lanes with NGOs and apartments |
Apps that work in Patan
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Foodmandu | Wide restaurant choice across Patan |
| Pathao Food | Same app as rides; frequent promos |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, Viber
- Maps.me: Offline trekking trail maps
- Taxis: Taxis rarely use meters; agree the fare first. App rides are cheaper and clearer for most visitors.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Nepal.
- Mostly cash Cash rules in markets, buses and taxis; cards at hotels and a few cafés. ATMs cap withdrawals and charge fees.
- Currency: Rupee (NPR). US$1 ≈ Rs154.20 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs often charge foreign cards about NPR 500 per withdrawal and cap withdrawals at NPR 10,000–35,000.
- Tipping: Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge plus 13% VAT. Tip trekking guides and porters about 10–15% of the trek cost.
- Paying by phone: Fonepay and eSewa QR codes are everywhere but need a Nepali account; Indian visitors can pay them by UPI.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa on arrival at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Bhairahawa airports and main land borders: US$30, 50 or 125 for 15, 30 or 90 days.
- Fill the online arrival form at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np before landing to shorten the airport queue.
- Since 2023 most trekking routes in protected areas, including Everest and Annapurna, require a licensed guide and a TIMS card.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 102 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1144
Plugs
Type C, D, M · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Ncell and Nepal Telecom counters at Kathmandu airport; bring your passport. Ncell tourist plans cost NPR 595–1,995 for 7–28 days. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Nepal
Going to Patan solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.