Travel Guide

Nepal's 3 International Airports Compared: Kathmandu vs. Pokhara vs. Bhairahawa

4 June 2026

7 min read

Are you wondering which entry point will save you a full day of travel on your next Himalayan adventure?

Nepal now operates three international airports: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport (PHW), and Gautam Buddha International Airport (BWA) in Bhairahawa. Choosing the right one can shape your entire itinerary.

This guide compares all three options to help Singapore travellers book the perfect flight from the start.

Quick Comparison: Nepal's 3 International Airports

Airports in Nepal

	Kathmandu (KTM)	Pokhara (PHW)	Bhairahawa (BWA)
IATA Code	KTM	PHW	BWA
Opened (Intl)	1949	January 2023	May 2022
Runway Length	3,350 m	2,500 m	3,000 m
Key Airlines	Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia	Buddha Air, Yeti, charters	Buddha Air, Yeti, Nepal Airlines
Nearest Attraction	Everest, Kathmandu Valley	Annapurna, Phewa Lake	Lumbini (Buddha's birthplace)
Best For	First-time visitors, all treks	Annapurna Circuit, relaxation	Pilgrimage & cultural tours

Which Nepal Airport Should Singapore Travellers Use?

Visiting Nepal for the first time? Choose Kathmandu (KTM) — it has the most connections and flexibility.
Trekking the Annapurna Circuit? Fly into Pokhara (PHW) if a direct route is available.
Visiting Lumbini? Fly into Bhairahawa (BWA) — it's just 22 km from Buddha's birthplace.

Many Singapore visitors fly into one airport and out of another to cover more ground without backtracking.

Kathmandu (KTM) — Nepal's Main International Gateway

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) remains Nepal's primary aviation hub, handling over 9.5 million passengers annually. For most Singapore travellers, KTM is the default and most practical entry point. Kathmandu connects to virtually every domestic airstrip, including Lukla (the gateway to Everest) and the remote western regions. Its 3,350-metre runway accommodates wide-body aircraft, with major airlines like Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and AirAsia operating regular one-stop services from Singapore via Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, or Doha.

Beyond aviation, Kathmandu is a destination in itself — home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the bustling Thamel bazaar, and Newari culture. First-time visitors will find it the most practical and rewarding entry point.

The Catch: TIA can feel congested compared to Changi. Singapore passport holders qualify for a visa-on-arrival (15 days: SGD 40 / 30 days: SGD 70). Bring a passport photo and cash to speed up the process.
Singapore Traveller Tip: Complete your visa payment at the on-arrival kiosks before joining the main passport control line.

Pokhara (PHW) — Nepal's Newest International Airport

Pokhara International Airport

Launched in January 2023, Pokhara International Airport sits against the stunning backdrop of the Annapurna Mountain Range. While it initially crossed the 1-million passenger milestone, recent metrics show volumes hovering around 946,000 as some regional travellers shifted to upgraded road networks.

Pokhara is the ultimate base for the Annapurna Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp treks. Beyond trekking, the city offers a laid-back atmosphere along Phewa Lake, paragliding, and a thriving café culture. Its modern terminal is a significant upgrade from the old domestic strip, built specifically to handle international traffic.

While regular international routes are still developing—meaning Singaporeans will mostly connect via Kathmandu—securing a direct charter or regional flight eliminates a domestic leg, saving you a full day of travel.

Pros & Cons: A brand-new terminal with beautiful mountain views, but fewer scheduled international routes and limited onward domestic connectivity compared to Kathmandu.
Singapore Traveller Tip: Look out for seasonal charter flights direct from Southeast Asian hubs before defaulting to a Kathmandu transit.

Bhairahawa (BWA) — Gateway to Lumbini

Gautam Buddha International Airport

Gautam Buddha International Airport opened in May 2022, located just 22 kilometres from Lumbini—the UNESCO-listed birthplace of Gautama Buddha. Despite its immense cultural significance, BWA has faced operational hurdles. Due to temporary gaps in dedicated visa, labor, and technical facilities, regular international passenger services experienced a near-total halt. To fix this and activate its full potential, the government is transitioning the airport to a public-private partnership model.

Lumbini is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For Singapore travellers focused on Buddhist heritage, wellness retreats, or spiritual tourism, flying into Bhairahawa is incredibly efficient. It replaces a grueling 8-to-10-hour overland drive from Kathmandu with a seamless 30-minute taxi ride to Lumbini's sacred monastic zones.

Pros & Cons: Direct, uncrowded access to Nepal’s southern Terai plains and pilgrimage sites, though it offers a smaller range of passenger amenities and no direct trekking access.
Singapore Traveller Tip: Check for connecting flights to BWA via regional Indian transit hubs, which can drastically cut travel times compared to routing through Kathmandu.

Best Times to Visit

Kathmandu & Pokhara: October–November (clear skies for trekking) and March–May (spring blooms). Avoid the June–August monsoon.
Bhairahawa (Lumbini): October–March (pleasant and cool). Avoid April–June, when temperatures on the southern plains can skyrocket.

Which Airport Should You Choose?

Your entry point depends entirely on your itinerary. Kathmandu (KTM) offers the ultimate flexibility for first-time visitors and Everest trekkers. Pokhara (PHW) is unmatched for those heading straight to the Annapurna peaks. Bhairahawa (BWA) is the clear choice for cultural and spiritual pilgrims.

To maximize your holiday, consider booking an open-jaw ticket: fly into one airport and out of another to experience both the mountains and the plains without backtracking.

Written by

HSJ Editorial Team

The HSJ team brings you curated stories from Nepal's most breathtaking landscapes.

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