These days, Nepal has extended newfangled amenities along with the connection of some multinational banks. With the institution of the central Nepal Rastra Bank, Nepal began to gain control of its foreign exchange reserves, which until 1960, were channeled through the Central Bank of India. All foreign currencies and credit cards such as Visa, Master Card, Maestro, Diners Card, Cirrus, and American Express are accepted here. Not only in the banks are credit cards accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls too. However, while trekking in the Himalayas, you need cash.
Regarding the currency, the official currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR of RS). One rupee is alienated into 100 paise. You can see the coins of Rs. 1, 2, 5, and 10 but are rarely used. Paper notes denominate NPR: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 although Rs. 25 and 250 are barely available.
The counting of money also differs here. The amount of 100,000 is said One Lakh instead of a hundred thousand. One million is calculated as Ten Lakhs. Likewise, 10,000,000 is pronounced as One Core despite ten million. Then a billion is? Yes, it is called the Ten Core.
All the travelers are recommended to exchange their cash via the banks of authorized counters accredited counters only. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, banks and money exchange counters are found widely. Some of the hotels also provide such facilities.
As the transaction of money is quick and convenient, you would better ask receipt after exchanging the cash. You can exchange it at Tribhuvan International Airport if you have stuff money, charging a certain proportion (around 15%). Don’t forget to have around Rs 1000 or so for the airport tax while departing.
In trekking destinations, it is almost impossible to exchange foreign currency. Therefore, carrying the required changed money from Kathmandu or Pokhara is advisable before starting the trek. You are recommended to have a small amount of money as vendors, hotel receptionists, and teashops always ask for small denominations (fives, tens, the twenties, fifties, and hundreds; sometimes five hundred or thousands). Beware of damaged or torn notes. Locals may reject them.
Concerning the foreign exchange rates, you would better visit the official website of Nepal Rastra Bank, which performs the currency exchange rates every day. For that, you can click here. The transaction rate of 2020-11-26 is presented.
| Currency | Unit | Buy | Sell |
| INR (Indian Rupee) | 100 | 160.00 | 160.15 |
| USD (U.S. Dollar) | 1 | 117.96 | 118.56 |
| EUR (European Euro) | 1 | 140.40 | 141.12 |
| GBP (UK Pound Sterling) | 1 | 157.38 | 158.18 |
| CHF (Swiss Franc) | 1 | 129.29 | 129.95 |
| AUD (Australian Dollar) | 1 | 86.70 | 87.14 |
| CAD (Canadian Dollar) | 1 | 90.71 | 91.17 |
| SGD (Singapore Dollar) | 1 | 87.85 | 88.30 |
| JPY (Japanese Yen) | 10 | 11.30 | 11.36 |
| CNY (Chinese Yuan) | 1 | 17.94 | 18.03 |
| SAR (Saudi Arabian Riyal) | 1 | 31.45 | 31.61 |
| QAR (Qatari Riyal | 1 | 32.39 | 32.55 |
| THB (Thai Baht) | 1 | 3.89 | 3.91 |
| AED (UAE Dirham) | 1 | 32.11 | 32.28 |
| MYR (Malaysian Ringgit) | 1 | 28.87 | 29.01 |
| KRW (South Korean Won) | 100 | 10.66 | 10.71 |
| SEK (Swedish Kroner) | 1 | 13.83 | 13.90 |
| DKK (Danish Kroner) | 1 | 18.87 | 18.96 |
| HKD (Hong Kong Dollar) | 1 | 15.22 | 15.30 |
| KWD (Kuwaiti Dinar) | 1 | 386.10 | 388.06 |
| BHD (Bahrain Dinar) | 1 | 312.87 | 314.46 |