Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is Nepal's only international airport, about 6 km east of the city centre. Direct connections run from major hubs in South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and China; European visitors typically transit through Doha, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi. E-visas must be obtained before arrival or on arrival at the terminal kiosk — do this in advance to avoid queues. Immigration at Tribhuvan can be extremely slow.
Taxis from the airport to Thamel take 20–30 minutes and cost around NPR 700–900 (roughly $5–7) if booked through the pre-paid desk inside arrivals — ignore the touts outside. The ride takes you through the eastern suburbs of Kathmandu and can give a first visceral impression of the city's traffic.
Overland entry is possible from India at several border crossings in the Terai; the most-used crossing for travellers heading to Kathmandu is Sunauli/Belahiya, with bus connections taking 8–10 hours. Entry from Tibet is possible when the border is open, which depends on permit availability and political conditions.