The plug in your Kathmandu hotel is not the one you packed for
Nepal runs on 230V with a mix of Type C, D and M sockets. The adapter that works, how to stay charged on the trail, and what else to land with.
Prakash Tamang 4 min read
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Nepal runs on 230 volts, and its sockets are a mix of three types: C, the two round pins used across Europe, D, three large round pins in a triangle, and M, a bigger version of D. You will often find more than one type in the same room. A European plug fits many sockets, a British or American one fits none, and the round-pin D socket catches almost everyone out. One universal adapter that handles C and D solves it. Here is what to land with.
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- Nepal uses 230V and a mix of Type C, D and M sockets.
- Bring a universal adapter that includes Type D; European two-pin plugs fit some sockets, not all.
- Most phone and laptop chargers handle 230V; check the label on anything else.
- On the trail, a power bank saves you paying per charge.
What the sockets look like
Round pins, in two or three shapes. Type C is the thin two-pin European plug. Type D has three large round pins in a triangle, a design that came from old British standards and is still common across South Asia. Type M is a larger version of D used for heavier appliances. Many hotel sockets are combination sockets that take several, but guesthouses and teahouses often do not.
The adapter
A universal adapter that explicitly lists Type D. Many all-in-one adapters handle European, British, American and Australian plugs but not D, which is the one that matters here. Check the product listing before you buy.
Phone, camera and laptop chargers are almost always rated 100–240V, which means they work on Nepal’s 230V with just an adapter. Hair dryers and straighteners from 110V countries often are not. Read the small print on the charger before you plug it in.
Staying charged on the trail
Charging gets harder and pricier as you climb. Lower teahouses often charge for free or for a small fee; above Namche on the Everest route it costs a few dollars a time, and power can be solar-only. A 10,000 to 20,000 mAh power bank covers a phone for days. Keep it warm, because cold drains batteries.
The rest of the arrival kit
US dollars for the visa, a way to get online, and somewhere safe for your passport. Nepal’s visa on arrival is paid at the airport, and a local SIM or an eSIM gets you online in Kathmandu. Our SIM card guide covers the options.
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Universal adapter with Type D | Fits the sockets you will actually find |
| Power bank | Saves paying per charge on the trail |
| Spare charging cable | The one you forget at a teahouse |
| US dollars in cash | Visa on arrival |
| eSIM or local SIM | Maps, messages, booking |
Our Kathmandu and Pokhara tour is five easy days to arrive and settle in before a trek: from US$580 solo. Ask us to add it to your trek dates.
See the Kathmandu and Pokhara tourWhat plug type does Nepal use?
Nepal uses Type C, D and M sockets, often mixed in the same building. Type D, three large round pins, is the one most travellers are missing.
What voltage is Nepal?
230 volts. Most phone, camera and laptop chargers are rated 100–240V and work with just an adapter.
Will a European plug work in Nepal?
In many sockets, yes, because Type C fits combination and C sockets. It will not fit a Type D-only socket, so bring an adapter that includes D.
Can I charge my phone on a Nepal trek?
Yes, at most teahouses. It is often free or cheap low down and costs a few dollars a time higher up. A power bank is the best backup.
Keep reading
Costs and solar power up high.
Getting online in Nepal.
What is worth carrying.
Packing for the Lukla flight.
The verdict: one universal adapter that includes Type D, a power bank, and a spare cable. That is the whole electrical kit.
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Written by
Prakash TamangPokhara-based, NMA-certified trekking guides. We’ve led 5,000+ treks across the Annapurna and Everest regions since 1998 — every word here comes from the trail. More from this author →
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