Kathmandu - Post Report Question and Answers
What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Small cars are good, anything that is good for off roading is great. We have a 4x4 and it is a comfy ride. Small cars are good because the roads are narrow. A medium sized SUV would be great to have here! - Aug 2022
Don't bring it! You will get dinged. It's extremely hard to bring a car to post, and it's a right hand drive country. Buy a car here. - Aug 2019
Depends. In the city, a compact car is just fine. If you are thinking of driving yourself outside the city (yikes!) you would want a high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle. I don't know many people who drive outside the city. They drive on teh left and have really strict import restrictions, so I highly recommend buying a car locally. The servicing seems to be fine here, but at Western prices. - Aug 2015
Something small but with high clearance. Inquire with post about the car import rules before you come - the rules changed after we arrived and you could no longer import any used cars. - Jul 2014
Bring a 4WD that you don't mind beating up. Some of the roads have recently been paved but quality is not high and potholes and sinkholes are common. Our road in an upscale neighborhood is currently being 'improved' and is a sea of mud when it rains and as bad as a jeep trail in the U.S. when dry. - May 2014
A cheap 4x4 automobile that you don't care about. It will get dinged and will get super dirty. No carjackings or things like that. You are better of buying a car here for US$1,000 and just selling it for US$800 when you leave. Do not bring a large expensive car. You won't be able to get through a lot of streets. - Apr 2014
4WD vehicles are best. The roads are very bumpy and the streets are narrow. That being said we brought our Honda Odyssey and get it around the city. We don't take it out of the valley, however, we rent a 4WD or borrow someone's for road trips. - Dec 2013
Bring something with 4WD if you want to leave town -- the roads are RUGGED here. Also bring something that you want scratched up. Motorcycles routinely tip into the side of my car at stops. This is the place to add character to your vehicle. Japanese vehicles can be fixed here, but the repairs tend to be pricey (for the area). Indian vehicles are much cheaper (in every sense) and can be repaired very affordably. - Jun 2013
Bring a narrow car. Roads are not wide. - May 2013
The smaller, the better -- Kathmandu streets are tiny and it is very easy to get stuck in a "traffic jam" of 2 cars. - Jun 2011
Use a small auto, like micro sized, or you risk not being able to navigate the back roads. No hummers please. That said, something with 4wd and ground clearance would be useful too. Talk to folks who live here to gauge your needs. Locals drive suziki's. Toyota, Renault, VW have dealerships. Newer vehicles only. - Sep 2010
We had a very large van with a driver. We also used a motorcycle when it was just my husband and I. - Jan 2010
Slight paradox here. The roads are narrow in town and a huge SUV is difficult to maneuver, park etc. That said, the roads, especially outside the city center can be very poor and a more rugged vehicle is more helpful. We drive on the left side of the road. While some do, I would not bring a vehicle here. Buy it locally, count on a LOT of wear and tear and sell before you go. You'll trade paint every day with other drivers. - May 2008
