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Is a 1½ hr layover in Kathmandu long enough?

KTM · Tribhuvan International · Kathmandu, Nepal
Probably Enough

Yes, 1½ hours is probably enough for a layover at KTM (Kathmandu).

Comfortably covers even international-international connections requiring full re-processing.
Quick Stats
Concourses
2
Max Transit
30m
Avg. Security
25m
Primary Hub
Nepal Airlines
Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
60min
✓
Domestic → International
75min
✓
International → Domestic
75min
✓
International → International
90min
tight
AD PLACEMENT — CONTEXTUAL
Tips for 1½ hr Connections
Never book a domestic-to-international or international-to-domestic connection under two hours, as it requires exiting security and re-checking in at a separate building.
Domestic mountain flights (to Lukla, Pokhara, etc.) depart very early morning and are highly weather-dependent, so build in a full extra day if connecting onward internationally the same day.
Keep all baggage claim tags and boarding documents handy, as staff manually verify paperwork at multiple checkpoints.
If your bags are checked through on a single international ticket, confirm with your airline whether you still need to collect and recheck them, since through-checking is inconsistent here.
Arrive at the airport well before scheduled departure during festival seasons (Dashain, Tihar) when both terminals become severely overcrowded.
Busyness — Connection Risk
12a6a12p6p12a
Low risk
Moderate
High risk
Tight connections are safer outside peak hours. Morning rush (6–9a), midday (11a–2p), and evening (4–8p) are highest risk.
Getting Between Concourses
The domestic and international terminals sit a few hundred meters apart and are connected by a short walk or an airport shuttle/taxi along the perimeter road, since there is no internal air-side corridor linking them. Passengers connecting between the two must fully exit through arrivals, re-enter through a separate check-in and security queue, and undergo fresh document/baggage screening every time. International-to-international transfers on different airlines also usually require landside re-entry rather than an air-side transit desk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1½ hours enough for a layover at Tribhuvan International (KTM)?

Comfortably covers even international-international connections requiring full re-processing.

What is the minimum connection time at KTM?

Minimum connection times at Tribhuvan International: Domestic-to-Domestic is 60 minutes, International-to-International is 90 minutes. These are the shortest layovers airlines will sell.

Can I make a 1½ hours connection at KTM on an international flight?

1½ hours clears the 90-minute international minimum connection time at Tribhuvan International, but you should still head directly to your gate. The domestic and international terminals sit a few hundred meters apart and are connected by a short walk or an airport shuttle/taxi along the perimeter road, since there is no internal air-side corridor linking them. Passengers connecting between the two must fully exit through arrivals, re-enter through a separate check-in and security queue, and undergo fresh document/baggage screening every time. International-to-international transfers on different airlines also usually require landside re-entry rather than an air-side transit desk.

What happens if I miss my connection at KTM?

If you miss a connection, you'll need to go to your airline's ticket counter in the relevant terminal (international or domestic) as there is no centralized rebooking desk; Nepal Airlines and other carriers have limited staff and frequency, so expect delays of several hours to a day for rebooking, especially on domestic mountain routes.

Other Layover Durations at KTM
25 min30 min35 min40 min45 min50 min55 min1 hr1¼ hr1¾ hr2 hr2½ hr3 hr4 hr
1½ hr Layovers at Other Airports
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AD PLACEMENT — BEFORE FOOTER