Taxi in Kathmandu / Pokhara
You're outside the airport, Thamel, or Lakeside. The driver names a price; you have 30 seconds to push back, name a counter, or walk to the next taxi. Here's the exact script.
What to expect
- Quoted fares to tourists are routinely 3–5× the metered rate
- Meter use is mandatory by law in Kathmandu but enforcement is loose — naming it matters
- Walking to the next taxi often drops the price by half before you reach the door
- From the airport, the prepaid taxi booth inside arrivals avoids the negotiation entirely
The script
Take me to Thamel.
मलाई थमेल लैजानुहोस्।
Malaai Thamel laijaanuhos.
Swap 'Thamel' for any destination — Patan, Boudha, Pashupati, your hotel name.
Please use the meter.
कृपया मिटर चलाउनुहोस्।
Kripaya meter chalaaunuhos.
First line in every taxi negotiation — frames the conversation correctly.
How much?
कति पैसा?
Kati paisaa?
That's too expensive.
धेरै महँगो भयो।
Dherai mahango bhayo.
Two hundred rupees, final.
दुई सय रुपैयाँ, अन्तिम।
Dui say rupaiyaa, antim.
Anchor with a specific number — usually 30-50% below the quoted price, depending on distance.
I'll take the next one.
म अर्को ट्याक्सी लिन्छु।
Ma arko taxi linchu.
The walk-away phrase. Often resolved before your second step.
Stop here, please.
यहीँ रोक्नुहोस्।
Yahi roknuhos.
Turn left / right.
बायाँ / दायाँ मोड्नुहोस्।
Baayaa / daayaa modnuhos.
Straight ahead.
सिधा जानुहोस्।
Sidhaa jaanuhos.
Wait, please.
एकछिन पर्खनुहोस्।
Ekchhin parkhanuhos.
If you're stopping to grab something and want the meter paused (or just kept honest).
Change, please.
बाँकी पैसा दिनुहोस्।
Baaki paisaa dinuhos.
Always count change in front of the driver — short-changing is common.