Planning a scan trip to Kathmandu

A checklist for people travelling from the UK and elsewhere, from your first conversation with your own doctor to flying home with your images.

Before you book flights

1. Speak to your doctor at home. Agree which scan you need and who will review the result when you get back.
2. Get a referral letter naming the test, body part and question to answer, plus copies of previous scans and reports. Why it matters.
3. Choose a centre and check its machine, price and report time. Compare centres.
4. Contact the centre to confirm the date, preparation and full price. PET-CT in particular depends on imported tracer, so confirm the day.

Entry and flights

• Visa on arrival: USD 30 (15 days), USD 50 (30 days) or USD 125 (90 days), per Nepal's embassy. You can apply online up to 15 days before arrival (FCDO).
• Passport: must be valid for at least six months after you enter Nepal.
• Flights from the UK: no regular direct service; connections via the Gulf, Istanbul or Delhi take roughly 13 to 15 hours. Nepali airlines are not permitted to fly to the UK.
• Insurance: standard travel insurance often excludes planned medical tests. Check yours.

When to go

The monsoon normally runs from 13/06 to 02/10 and can bring floods, landslides and travel delays (Department of Hydrology and Meteorology). Outside the monsoon, travel is usually easier. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before you book.

Money

Prices on this site are in Nepali rupees. At the time of writing, Nepal Rastra Bank selling rates, 22/10/2026. Carry rupees as a backup: some private hospitals accept cards, but many providers prefer cash.

On the day

• Passport, referral letter, previous scans and reports
• List of medicines, allergies and any implants (bring implant cards)
• Follow fasting instructions for contrast, abdominal and PET scans
• Ask when the report will be ready, and plan your flight home after that

Before you fly home

Collect the images on CD or USB in DICOM format and the signed report. What to ask for.