Nepal SIM card and eSIM for tourists: Ncell, Nepal Telecom and travel eSIMs compared

By the Farefika editorial team · Updated 29 October 2026 · 7 min read

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Staying connected in Nepal is cheap and easy once you know the options. You can buy a local SIM at Kathmandu airport, buy Ncell's tourist eSIM online, or install a travel eSIM before you leave home. Here is how they compare, with official prices from the operators checked October 2026.

The two networks: Ncell and Nepal Telecom

• Ncell is the private operator. It sells dedicated tourist plans to non-Nepali citizens, and it is the network most travel eSIMs use. Travellers generally find it fast in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan.
• Nepal Telecom (NT, also known as NTC or "Namaste") is state-owned and has a wide rural network. Trekkers often report that it keeps a signal in remote valleys where Ncell drops out, which is why some carry both.

Ncell tourist SIM and eSIM plans

Ncell's official tourist plans, as listed on its website:

• TouristPro Sprinter: 7 days, NPR 595
• TouristPro Explorer: 14 days, NPR 995
• TouristPro Voyager: 28 days, NPR 1,995

Each includes "unlimited" data and all-network calls plus 100 SMS, under a fair-usage policy: Ncell says data speed is throttled after 10 GB on the Sprinter plan and after 25 GB on the Explorer plan. Validity runs from the moment of activation, and while you are on a tourist plan you can only buy other tourist packs, so pick one that covers your whole stay. The plans are for non-Nepali citizens only.

Where to buy: at Ncell's counter at Tribhuvan International Airport, Ncell Centres and authorised shops, with your original passport. Ncell also sells tourist eSIMs online through its tourist eSIM platform, so you can set one up before you fly if your phone supports eSIM.

Nepal Telecom SIM and eSIM

Nepal Telecom's official prepaid tariff lists the SIM at NPR 90, including a small starter allowance (40 minutes, 20 SMS and 300 MB of data). After that you add a data package from its current list, or pay as you go at NPR 1 per MB, which is expensive, so always buy a pack. NT runs an online eSIM portal for new prepaid eSIMs and SIM-to-eSIM conversion (NPR 50 for an eSIM change). Whether a foreign passport can be used on the online portal isn't clearly stated, so the simplest route for visitors is an NT counter at the airport or in town.

Travel eSIMs (Airalo, Yesim and others)

A travel eSIM from an international provider is a data plan you buy and install at home, so you land already online. Airalo, for example, lists Ncell as the network for its Nepal eSIMs. The pros: no queue, no paperwork, and it works the moment you switch on roaming. The cons: it is usually data only, with no local number for calls or OTP codes, and it often costs more per GB than a local tourist pack. Our travel eSIM section explains what to check before you buy, and links to partners.

Which should you choose?

• Short city and Pokhara trip: an Ncell tourist plan (SIM or eSIM) is simple and cheap.
• Trekking in remote areas: consider a Nepal Telecom SIM as well, for the wider rural network.
• Late-night arrival or no time for queues: install a travel eSIM or Ncell's tourist eSIM before you fly, so you can book a ride app at the airport straight away.
• Need a Nepali number (for local bookings, ride apps or bank OTPs): take a local SIM or eSIM rather than a data-only travel eSIM.

Documents and the airport counters

SIM registration in Nepal is a legal identity check. Bring your original passport (a photo on your phone won't do). Recent 2026 traveller guides say counters may also ask for your visa page and a passport-size photo, though many now take your picture on the spot; carrying a spare photo saves time. Ncell and Nepal Telecom counters are in the arrivals hall after immigration and baggage. Some guides report that the counters don't keep 24-hour hours, so if you land very late, set up an eSIM in advance or buy your SIM in Thamel the next day.

Coverage on treks

On the Everest trail, mobile data works patchily as far as Namche and some villages beyond; higher up most trekkers rely on lodge Wi-Fi or an Everest Link Wi-Fi card bought in Namche. On Annapurna routes such as Poon Hill and ABC, many villages have a signal and most lodges offer Wi-Fi for a small fee. Download offline maps before you start and never rely on your phone alone for navigation or emergencies. See our Everest cost guide and Annapurna beginners' guide for the routes.

Handy tips

• Check that your phone is unlocked before you travel, and that it supports eSIM if you plan to use one.
• Turn off roaming on your home SIM to avoid surprise charges, but keep it in the phone (or as a second eSIM) for bank codes.
• A data connection makes the ride from the airport easier: see Kathmandu airport to Thamel for Pathao, inDrive and Uber tips.
• Keep a little cash. Top-ups and data packs can be bought with the Ncell or NT app, by USSD code, or from any shop with the operator's sign.

Plan the rest of your trip

Sort entry first with our Nepal visa guide, then pick your season with the best time to visit Nepal. The Nepal travel guide covers money, safety and culture, and our hotel search helps you find a first night in Kathmandu.

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Sources, checked October 2026: Ncell Tourist SIM and eSIM page (ncell.com.np); Nepal Telecom GSM prepaid tariff (ntc.net.np) and NT eSIM portal (esim.ntc.net.np); Airalo's Nepal eSIM page (network listed: Ncell); 2026 traveller guides (NepalPick, Amarnepal) for registration documents and counter hours. Prices and packages change often; check the operator's own site or counter before you buy. Partner and operator names belong to their owners.

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

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