From Pashupatinath offerings to supermarket tills, Indian tourists go cashless in Nepal
Summary
Indian tourists are increasingly paying cashless in Nepal using UPI and QR codes, from offerings at Pashupatinath to shopping, dining and nightlife in Kathmandu. The payment network is expanding beyond Kathmandu to Pokhara and other tourist cities, while a new remittance service is also being rolled out between India and Nepal.
Key Points
- Indian visitors to Nepal are using UPI and QR payments at temples, restaurants, malls, hotels and entertainment venues, making cross-border travel more convenient.
- UPI transaction patterns show strong spending at Pashupatinath, Chandragiri Hills, Thamel nightlife spots and major retailers across Nepal.
- NPCI International says the QR payment network is expanding to Pokhara and other tourist cities, with a second phase planned for Nepali users in India.
- A new UPI-Nepal NPI remittance service has also been launched to enable instant formal transfers between the two countries.
