Bhaktapur Durbar Square Entry Fee (2026)
The fee covers Bhaktapur's entire walled old city — not just one courtyard. Here's exactly what you pay, what it includes, and how to extend your ticket for free.
| Visitor category | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| Foreign nationals | NPR 1,800 |
| SAARC nationals | NPR 500 |
| Chinese nationals | NPR 500 |
| Children under 10 | Free |
| Group tour leader | Free |
Source: Nepal Tourism Board official rates. Contact: 01-6612249.
One ticket
What Does the Ticket Cover?
The Bhaktapur entry ticket covers the entire walled ancient city — not a single square or monument. Once you pay and pass through the western checkpoint near the bus park, you have access to all four of Bhaktapur's famous squares: Durbar Square with the 55 Windows Palace and Golden Gate, Taumadhi Square with Nyatapola Temple, Dattatreya Square with the Peacock Window, and Pottery Square (Bolachhen).
No additional fees are charged at any of these squares or monuments as you walk between them. Some active shrines request that you remove your shoes before entering the inner sanctum, but this is a sign of respect, not a paid entry.
The ticket is checked at the main western entrance gate only. Once inside, you are free to walk the entire medieval city without further checkpoints.
Four squares
Durbar, Taumadhi, Dattatreya, and Pottery Square — all included.
All day access
Monuments open 7am–6pm. The old city streets are accessible earlier for sunrise walks.
All nationalities
Ticket required for all foreign visitors. Nepali citizens enter free.
Multi-Day Ticket Extension — The Tip Most Visitors Miss
If you're staying overnight in Bhaktapur or want to return the following day, you can get your existing ticket stamped for a free extension. There is no additional charge.
Go to the main ticket counter at the western entrance gate with your original ticket and your passport. Ask the staff for a multi-day stamp. They will mark your ticket as valid for the next day.
This is official Nepal Tourism Board policy — it exists to encourage overnight stays in Bhaktapur rather than single-day rush visits. Most day-trippers from Kathmandu are unaware it exists because it is not advertised at the gate. If you are spending the night in Bhaktapur, it is worth doing before 5pm when the counter closes.
Practical info
Where to Buy the Ticket
The main ticket booth is at the western entrance gate, near the trolleybus terminal and bus park on the edge of the old city. This is where most visitors arriving from Kathmandu will enter. There are also checkpoints at other entry points around the old city perimeter.
The booth opens from early morning. Pay in Nepali Rupees cash — this is the easiest option. Some booths will accept US dollars at the official rate (US$18 per foreigner), but change is always given in NPR. ATMs are available near the main square if you need cash. Card payment is not accepted at the gate.
There is no online booking system for the Bhaktapur entry ticket. You purchase on arrival only.
SAARC Nationals — What You Need to Show
Citizens of SAARC member states pay NPR 500 rather than the foreigner rate of NPR 1,800. At the ticket booth, show your passport or national identity card confirming your country of origin.
SAARC member countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan. Chinese nationals also pay the NPR 500 rate under a separate bilateral arrangement.
Indian nationals holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card should check at the booth — the policy on OCI holders has varied. Bring your passport as well as the OCI card for clarity.
Is the Bhaktapur Entry Fee Worth It?
Yes — unambiguously. Bhaktapur is the best-preserved medieval city in Nepal. Unlike Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is bisected by a busy road with motorbikes and vendors, or Patan, which sits on the edge of a dense urban neighbourhood, Bhaktapur's entire old city centre is pedestrianised. No motorbikes. No cars. The brick-paved lanes between the four squares feel like a working medieval town, because much of it still is.
The NPR 1,800 fee is higher than the other Durbar Squares because it covers the whole city, not a single square. That's four distinct historic areas — five hours of walking minimum for someone who takes their time. The entry fee directly funds ongoing conservation work at a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was significantly damaged in the 2015 earthquake.
Kathmandu Valley Heritage Site Entry Fees Compared
| Site | Foreigner | SAARC |
|---|---|---|
| Bhaktapur Durbar Square | NPR 1,800 | NPR 500 |
| Kathmandu Durbar Square | NPR 1,000 | NPR 500 |
| Patan Durbar Square | NPR 1,000 | NPR 500 |
| Changu Narayan Temple | NPR 300 | NPR 100 |
| Swayambhu Stupa | NPR 200 | NPR 50 |
Source: Nepal Tourism Board. Rates current as of 2026.
Common questions
Can I visit Bhaktapur without paying the entry fee?
No — the ticket is checked at all major entry points into the old city. There is a checkpoint at the western gate near the bus park and at other access routes. Attempting to enter without a ticket will result in being turned back or asked to pay on the spot. The fee funds UNESCO heritage site conservation.
Does the Bhaktapur entry fee include Nyatapola Temple?
Yes. The ticket covers access to all public areas of the entire walled old city — including Taumadhi Square where Nyatapola Temple stands. You do not pay separately for any square or monument once inside. Some active temple shrines may require shoe removal but there is no additional admission charge.
Is there a student discount at Bhaktapur Durbar Square?
There is no standard student discount for foreign nationals. SAARC national students pay the SAARC rate of NPR 500. Nepali students with a valid school or university letter may receive a discounted or free entry — this is at the discretion of the ticket booth staff. International students pay the full foreigner rate of NPR 1,800.
Can I pay the Bhaktapur entry fee in USD?
The official rate is US$18, and some ticket booths will accept USD cash. However, change will be given in Nepali Rupees. It is easier and more straightforward to pay NPR 1,800 in cash. ATMs are available in Bhaktapur town near the main square. Card payment is not available at the entry gate.
What happens if I lose my Bhaktapur entry ticket?
If you lose your ticket while inside the city, you are unlikely to face any issue — checkpoints are at entrances, not inside. If you leave and try to re-enter without a ticket, you will need to purchase a new one. Keep the ticket with your passport if you plan to use the multi-day extension stamp.