Monthly Breakdown for Visa Sufferers, Temple Wanderers, and Unexpectedly Charmed Souls

I came in with zero expectations and left feeling… oddly healed. There’s something about Kathmandu that feels untouched by time. But make no mistake — it’s not all mystical alleyways and spiritual cafes. It’s also cash-only, credit-card-rejecting, visa-line chaos. I learned the hard way, so you don’t have to.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGDSGD800
→ Affordable and simple — I stayed near the city centre, which made walking everywhere possible.
🍽️ Food: ~SGD35/day
→ Delicious, heavy on spice (or maybe my tolerance just sucks).
→ Cafes were surprisingly cozy — a nice contrast to the street energy.
🚇 Transport: SGD150
→ Mostly walked. Transport cost = just airport transfers and maybe one or two rides.
💄 Grooming: SGD150
→ SIM card, water, withdrawal fees (so many), and the occasional café chill.

Total: ~SGD2,185 (excluding activities)

📌 Low cost, high learning curve. Would do it again (but this time, with cash).

🏡 Where to Stay in Nepal

✔️ City Centre — If you can walk, you can get anywhere.
The alleys themselves are part of the experience — it feels like the city unfolds the more you wander.

🏠 Airbnb, Hotel, or Something Else?

✅ Airbnb works if you want a more local feel.
✅ Hotels tend to be better set up for power backups.

📌 I stayed near the city centre and walked everywhere — which turned out to be the best decision, especially when power cuts hit and cash was the only option. Pro tip: bring extra physical cash, and choose a stay with backup power if you’re working or arriving late.

🍽️ Food and Dining in Nepal (SGD35/day)

✔️ Spicy — like, next-level spicy.
✔️ Cafes = lovely, calm, and surprisingly aesthetic. Great escape from the chaos outside.

📌 Street food is abundant, but don’t skip the tea shops and tiny bakeries.

🚕 Transport Costs (SGD150 for the Month)

✔️ I walked everywhere.
✔️ Roads can be dusty, chaotic, and filled with bikes — but that’s part of it.

📌 Airport transfer can take a while, especially if arriving late. Plan ahead.

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

✔️ Power outages are common. Be ready if your job involves video calls.
✔️ SIMBA doesn’t work here — I had to buy a local SIM on arrival.

📌 Internet speed is okay when there’s power — cafes generally have WiFi, but don’t expect consistency.

🎟️ Where I Spent My Time in Nepal

✔️ Patan Durbar Square — Go during the evening. The energy is mellow, the lights are soft, and it just feels… right.
✔️ Temple wandering — Half the beauty is in stumbling into unexpected shrines tucked into alley corners.

📌 You don’t need a list — just walk, look up, and stay curious.

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD2,185 Worth It?

✔️ Absolutely. Frustrating at first, but the kind of place that lingers in your memory.
✔️ Next time? I’ll bring cash. So much cash.
✔️ For all its rough edges, Kathmandu felt honest — and that’s rare.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• Spiritual slow walkers and low-key history nerds
• People who like real city textures, not polished ones
• Travellers with offline maps and offline wallets