South Asia
Is Nepal safe?
L2Exercise increased caution
Is Nepal safe?
Low crime and friendly people; the real dangers are mountain roads, altitude and weather. Protests and strikes (bandhs) can shut cities, as in September 2025.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-03-30.
- Homicide rate: 2.1 per 100,000 people (2020, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 16.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 100 · Ambulance 102 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1144.
- Solo women: Generally safe for solo women, including on treks; choose licensed agencies and guides carefully. Dress modestly outside Thamel and Lakeside.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Altitude sickness on treks above 3,000 m
- Landslides and road crashes on mountain highways, worst in monsoon
- Domestic flight cancellations and a poor air safety record
- Earthquakes; the Kathmandu Valley is high-risk
Common scams
- Cut-price trekking agencies without licences or staff insurance
- Helicopter rescue fraud: unnecessary evacuations billed to insurers
- Orphanage visits and donations that support fake orphanages
Laws visitors break by accident
- Killing or harming cows is a serious crime; buffalo meat is what you'll find.
- Flying a drone needs permission; heritage sites and the Kathmandu Valley restrict them.
- Trekking without the required permits or guide brings fines at checkpoints.
Safety by place in Nepal
Quick answers
Is Nepal safe for tourists?
Low crime and friendly people; the real dangers are mountain roads, altitude and weather. Protests and strikes (bandhs) can shut cities, as in September 2025.
Is Nepal safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe for solo women, including on treks; choose licensed agencies and guides carefully. Dress modestly outside Thamel and Lakeside.
What is the emergency number in Nepal?
Police 100 · Ambulance 102 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1144.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- Nepal Tourism Board: Tourist Visa
- Nepal Tourism Board: TIMS Card and guide rule
- Department of Immigration online services
- Ncell Tourist SIM
- Speedtest Global Index: Nepal
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.