Pashupatinath Cost: Entry Fee, Transport & a Simple Budget
Pashupatinath is an inexpensive half-day outing once you are in Kathmandu. The main costs are the entry ticket (around NPR 1,000 for foreigners), transport and any optional guide or donations.
What You Pay For
Approximate 2026 figures, per person:
| Item | Approx. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (foreigners) | NPR 1,000 | Non-Nepali / non-Indian visitors; bought at the gate |
| Entry (SAARC nationals) | Reduced rate | Nepali and Indian devotees enter free |
| Taxi / ride-hailing | NPR 300–600 each way | From Thamel; cheaper via Pathao / InDrive |
| Local guide (optional) | NPR 500–1,500 | Hire only official, agreed-rate guides at the gate |
| Sadhu photo / donation | NPR 100–500 | Agree before photographing; entirely optional |
| Offerings (optional) | NPR 100–300 | Flowers, incense, sweets from stalls near the gates |
There is no charge to watch the cremations or the evening Bagmati aarti once you are inside the complex.
Sample Budgets
The shape of a Pashupatinath budget is simple — the entry ticket is the biggest fixed cost for foreigners, and everything else is optional.
- Foreign visitor, self-guided: the NPR 1,000 ticket plus a return taxi or app ride from Thamel; a modest, low-cost half-day.
- With a guide: add an official guide fee and you get context on the shrines, ghats and rituals that greatly repays the extra spend.
- Combined with Boudhanath: pair it with nearby Boudhanath (2–3 km away) in one taxi outing to spread the transport cost across two sacred sites.
Practical Money Tips
- Carry small rupee notes for the ticket, tips and small offerings — many transactions here are cash-only.
- Beware unofficial "guides" and self-styled holy men who attach themselves to tourists and then demand a fee; politely decline if you did not ask.
- Agree any sadhu photo tip first so there are no surprises, and hire only official guides at the gate at a confirmed rate.
- Combine it with your route — see the how-to-reach guide for the cheapest way in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Pashupatinath?
For foreign (non-Nepali, non-Indian) visitors the main cost is the entry ticket of around NPR 1,000, bought at the gate. Add a return taxi or ride-hailing fare of NPR 300–600 each way from Thamel, plus optional guide fees, offerings or donations. Nepali and Indian devotees enter free.
What is the entry fee for Pashupatinath Temple?
Foreign (non-Nepali, non-Indian) visitors pay an entry fee of around NPR 1,000 to access the temple complex, bought at the gates in cash. SAARC nationals usually pay a reduced rate, while Nepali and Indian citizens enter free. The ticket covers the complex, ghats and viewpoints, not the inner shrine.
Is there a charge to watch the aarti or cremations?
No. Once you are inside the complex, there is no extra charge to watch the evening Bagmati aarti or to observe the cremations on the ghats from the opposite bank. Only the entry ticket, transport and any optional guide or offerings cost money.
Do I need to pay for a guide at Pashupatinath?
A guide is optional. If you want commentary on the shrines, ghats and rituals, hire only an official, agreed-rate guide at the gate, typically NPR 500–1,500. Be wary of unofficial touts who attach themselves to tourists and then demand a fee.
Can I pay the entry fee by card?
Carry cash to be safe. The ticket, tips and small offerings are usually cash-only, so bring small Nepali rupee notes for the entry fee and anything you buy at the stalls.
By the BriefNepal Travel Desk
Researched and maintained by our Nepal-based editorial team and reviewed for accuracy. Last updated July 1, 2026. Prices, permits and conditions change, always verify before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
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