Istanbul – Kathmandu flights on monthly payments

When to visit Kathmandu

October and November are the best months: the monsoon is over, the air is clear, days are 20C to 25C and the Himalayan peaks are visible from the valley; the Dashain and Tihar festivals also fall in these weeks. March and April are the second good window, with rhododendrons in bloom but hazy afternoons. From December to February nights drop close to zero while days are sunny at around 18C, and hotels are rarely heated. June to September is the monsoon, with several hours of heavy rain a day and frequent cancellation of mountain flights.

Things to do in Kathmandu

Boudhanath Stupa

Eleven kilometres east of the city centre, Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world at 36 metres and, with the monasteries around it, the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The four faced Buddha eyes above the white dome have become the emblem of the city. Morning and evening, pilgrims circle the stupa clockwise turning the prayer wheels, and the rooftop cafes around it are the place to watch the circuit from above. The spire cracked in the 2015 earthquake and was rebuilt in 2016.

Swayambhunath

The stupa on the hill to the west of the city, popularly called the Monkey Temple, is one of the oldest holy sites in the valley and carries inscriptions dating to the 5th century. The stairway of 365 steps on the eastern slope climbs to the gilded spire and the Buddha eyes; around it are Hindu shrines, a Tibetan monastery and, genuinely, hundreds of monkeys. The terrace on the hilltop looks over the whole Kathmandu Valley and, in clear weather, the Himalayan peaks. Sunset is the most photographed hour.

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River is one of the most important Shiva temples in Hinduism and the holiest site in Nepal; only Hindus may enter the main temple, but the terraces on the far bank of the river are open to visitors. Cremations on the riverside ghats continue through the day and are watched from a respectful distance, with restraint about photographs. Sadhus, the temple deer and the evening aarti fire ceremony at five o'clock are the other parts of a visit. It lies a few kilometres from the airport.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

The old palace square of the Malla and Shah kings is the historic heart of the city, with carved timber temples, the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and the Kumari Ghar of 1757, home of the living goddess Kumari. The 2015 earthquake brought down part of the square; the Kasthamandap, which gave the city its name, reopened in 2022 rebuilt with original techniques, and restoration continues. The nearby Asan and Indra Chowk markets sell spices and cloth. The entry fee is a single ticket including the museum and the palace.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur, 13 kilometres east of Kathmandu, is the best preserved of the three royal cities; its brick streets closed to traffic, the 55 Window Palace and the Golden Gate carry the air of a medieval town. The five tiered Nyatapola Temple on nearby Taumadhi Square, built in 1702, is the tallest temple in the valley at 30 metres and came through the 2015 earthquake undamaged. Clay pots dry in the sun on Pottery Square, and the city's yoghurt, juju dhau, is famous. Set aside half a day and go early.

Nagarkot

Nagarkot, at 2,175 metres on the eastern rim of the valley, is an hour and a half by car from Kathmandu and the nearest point outside the city for seeing the Himalaya. On a clear morning the peaks from Langtang to Everest light up in turn at sunrise, and the clearest views come between October and March. The terraces of the hilltop hotels and the lookout tower face the range, and the walking trail down to the Changu Narayan temple takes four hours. Staying the night makes the dawn view easier to catch.

Istanbul – Kathmandu flight prices by month

The cheapest month on this route is August: return fares start at 45,069 TL (cheapest day: August 27). In the most expensive month the same route sits around 60,488 TL, so picking the right month is the decision that actually sets the price here. Data scanned as of 2026-09-21 and subject to change.

Istanbul → Kathmandu: search the cheapest day, August 27

Airlines on the Istanbul – Kathmandu route

Türk Hava Yolları flies Istanbul – Kathmandu direct. Suso pulls live flights through Google Flights; pick the best option and spread the cost over monthly payments.

About Kathmandu

Kathmandu is a popular route for Nepal (Asia). For more travel guidance, when to go and things to do, see our Kathmandu destination page.

Istanbul – Kathmandu FAQ