Route Briefing: Dublin to Kathmandu
There are flights, and then there are flights that change you. Dublin to Kathmandu is firmly in the second category — a journey of around sixteen and a half hours with one stop that deposits you, somewhat breathlessly, at the doorstep of the Himalayas. Most routing goes through Gulf hubs like Doha, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi, with Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad all serving this corridor well. If you can snag a roundtrip under $700, you're doing very well indeed — standard fares tend to push past $1,000, so booking three to six months ahead is genuinely worth the calendar reminder.
Kathmandu hits you immediately. The air is thick with incense, diesel, and something harder to name — a sense that this city has been absorbing pilgrims, traders, and wanderers for centuries and has no intention of stopping. The Boudhanath stupa is one of the largest in the world, and walking its circumference with prayer wheels spinning beside you is the kind of experience that stays lodged somewhere behind your sternum long after you're home. Pashupatinath, the sacred Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River, is equally profound, particularly at dusk. The old city of Thamel is chaotic and colourful, a maze of trekking gear shops, tea houses, and narrow lanes that rewards slow exploration.
The food scene leans heavily on dal bhat — the lentil and rice staple that trekkers swear by — alongside momos, the Tibetan-style dumplings that appear on virtually every corner. Eat them fried, eat them steamed, eat them often.
Timing matters enormously here. October and November are peak season for good reason: skies are clear, temperatures are manageable, and the mountain views are at their most spectacular. This is prime trekking season, whether you're heading toward Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna circuit, so book early and expect company on the trails. Spring, particularly April and May, offers a second window of good weather with rhododendrons in bloom across the hillsides.
From Tribhuvan International Airport, taxis into the city centre are readily available and the distance is short — negotiate your fare before you get in, or use a prepaid option if available on arrival. It's a straightforward transfer.
The one tip worth underlining: if trekking is your goal, sort your permits and acclimatisation time before you commit to any high-altitude routes. Kathmandu itself sits at around 1,400 metres, which is a useful starting point, but the mountains demand respect. Plan that extra day in the valley — it'll serve you better than any gear upgrade.