Best Tourist Sim Cards in Nepal in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Nepal across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you are planning a trip to Nepal, having a reliable SIM card is essential. Access to the internet while traveling can greatly enhance your experience by helping you navigate new cities, discover the best restaurants, find directions to your accommodation, book taxis, and share your adventures with loved ones through photos.
While roaming is an option, the costs can quickly accumulate, especially when traveling internationally. Therefore, we highly recommend getting either an eSIM or a local SIM card to access local phone rates. Luckily, obtaining either of these options in Nepal is incredibly straightforward, but it’s beneficial to know which one suits your needs best.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a SIM card in Nepal, including current pricing and the absolute best option for you to consider.
The best sim card in Nepal is the Ncell prepaid sim card. Fortunately, both Ncell and Nepal Telecom offer extremely cheap mobile data for travellers visiting Nepal.
Ncell’s package is a bit cheaper than Nepal Telecom and their coverage is typically better, especially in the mountains around Annapurna and Everest. This makes recommending Ncell an easy choice. That said, if you are heading into the mountains then you shouldn’t expect very good coverage with either mobile operator. If you’re travelling with a partner or friend, then consider picking up one of each and then you can hotspot each other when one network has connection.
If you prefer the convenience of an eSim and don’t require much data, Airalo’s Nepal eSim is an option as well. It uses the Ncell network. Bear in mind that it costs a lot more per GB than a local sim card.
A Tourist Sim Card in Nepal costs 1,000 NPR in January 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Nepal will cost $9.50 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Nepal which includes 1GB of data which is valid for 7 days and costs $9.50 USD.
There are only two sim card providers in Nepal: Ncell and Nepal Telecom. Both networks offer good coverage and data speeds across Nepal. They are basically equal, however, Ncell has the best internet coverage in the mountains.
Sim card prices are similar across both sim card providers in Nepal, however, Ncell is the cheaper option. On my last visit I found sim cards at Ncell around 300 NPR cheaper.
If you are travelling with a partner or friend then I also recommend trying to get a sim card from each provider. This is easy to do when you come through arrivals at the airport. This will maximize your able to access the internet – which can be a bit sketchy at times in Nepal.
Ncell is the best sim card company in Nepal. Their network is generally considered the best with overall better coverage, particularly in the mountains. Hikers have reported good internet access when hiking in both the Annapurna and Everest regions with Ncell.
They are also cheaper than Nepal telecom for the same amount of data. Their plans are quite affordable by Western standards and offer very generous data caps.
The service at their store is pretty good. At the official store just outside arrivals at the airport you’ll find sim cards available for a fair price.
I used their sim card extensively across Nepal and can honestly say, if you can only get one, then this is the one to get.
The price of a Ncell tourist sim card in Nepal is 1,000 NPR.
The plan offered by Ncell stores includes 50GB + 10GB data valid for 28 days.
Nepal Telecom is the largest telecommunications company in Nepal and offer very convenient sim cards for tourists. Their plans are affordable and offer loads of data.
I travelled throughout Nepal testing out this sim card and the network is roughly comparable to Ncell. Plus with prepaid sim packages being so cheap in Nepal you can’t really go wrong with Nepal Telecom.
That said, as Ncell is quite a bit cheaper, a little better and just as convenient to purchase, you should only choose Nepal telecom as a second sim card.
The price of a Nepal Telecom tourist sim card in Nepal is 1300 NPR.
The plan offered by Nepal Telecom stores offers 50GB data valid for 28 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Nepal: Ncell, Nepal Telecom and are your best options in Nepal.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Nepal. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Nepal to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Ncell, Nepal Telecom or staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Ncell that includes 50GB + 10GB data for 1,000 NPR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 1,000 NPR to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Nepal at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Nepal then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Nepal have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Ncell, Nepal Telecom and . Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Nepal are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Nepal with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Nepal. The Airalo Nepal eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $9.50 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Nepal without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Nepal is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Nepal and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Nepal eSim uses the Ncell network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Ncell networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Nepal.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Nepal eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $9.50 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 1GB data plan for $9.50 USD which is valid for 7 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Nepal eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Nepal eSim uses the Nepal Telecomnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Nepal
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Nepal eSim:
6GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is incorporated into the hardware of a device, like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, there is no need to physically insert or remove an eSIM.
Instead, the eSIM is built-in and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of swapping SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and user-friendliness, particularly for individuals who frequently change mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the necessity of purchasing and inserting physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users simply need to scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually input the activation details. Once activated, the device can access voice calls, data, and messaging services just like with a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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