The fastest and cheapest ways to send money from India to Nepal
The best route depends on how much you're sending, how quickly the recipient needs it, and whether they have a bank account. Bank transfers are cheapest for amounts over 50,000 Indian rupees but take 2–5 business days. Money transfer services like Western Union, MoneyGram, and Wise deliver cash or deposits in hours but charge higher fees. Mobile wallets and remittance apps work for smaller amounts and are fastest if both sides have the right account.
Nepal's currency is the Nepalese rupee (NPR). Exchange rates move daily, so the rupee value you see today won't be the same tomorrow. Most services show you the exact rate and fee before you confirm, so you know the final amount the recipient gets.
Key Takeaways
- Bank transfers cost the least for large amounts but take several business days, while money transfer services deliver faster but charge more per transaction.
- The recipient needs either a bank account (for transfers) or access to a pickup location (for cash services), so confirm what they have before you send.
- Exchange rates and fees vary between providers, so compare the final amount the recipient receives rather than just the rupee amount you send.
- Mobile wallet transfers work only if both you and the recipient have accounts with the same service, which limits options in Nepal.
Bank transfers from India to Nepal
A bank transfer is the cheapest option if you have an Indian bank account and the recipient has a Nepalese bank account. You initiate the transfer through your Indian bank's online platform or at a branch, providing the recipient's name, account number, and bank details. Your bank will ask for the SWIFT code (the international identifier for the Nepalese bank) and sometimes the IFSC code if the bank operates in India as well.
The transfer takes 2–5 business days because it moves through multiple banks and clearing systems. Your bank will charge a fee, typically 200–500 Indian rupees, plus the cost of currency conversion. The recipient's Nepalese bank may also charge a small fee on their end. Ask your bank for the exact fee before you send, because rates vary between banks and account types.
This method works best for planned payments rather than emergencies, since the delay is built in. If the recipient doesn't have a bank account, this route won't work.
Money transfer services: Western Union, MoneyGram, and others
Money transfer services let you send cash that the recipient picks up at a location in Nepal, or deposit directly into their bank account. Western Union and MoneyGram have the widest networks in Nepal, with pickup points in Kathmandu and other cities. You can initiate a transfer online, by phone, or at a physical location in India, and the recipient can collect cash within minutes to a few hours.
The fee depends on the amount and the delivery method. For a 10,000 rupee transfer, expect to pay 300–600 rupees in fees. Larger amounts have higher fees in absolute terms but a lower percentage. The exchange rate these services offer is usually less favorable than a bank's rate, so the recipient gets slightly less than they would through a bank transfer.
You'll need the recipient's full name and, if they're picking up cash, they'll need a valid ID. If you're sending to a bank account, you'll need their account number and bank name. Western Union and MoneyGram both let you track the transfer online and see the exact amount the recipient will receive before you pay.
Wise (formerly TransferWise) and other remittance apps
Wise specializes in international transfers and offers a mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees. You send from your Indian bank account, and the recipient receives the money in their Nepalese bank account. The transfer usually completes within 1–2 business days, faster than a traditional bank transfer.
Wise charges a flat fee plus a small percentage of the amount you send. For a 50,000 rupee transfer, the fee is typically 300–400 rupees. The exchange rate is closer to the real market rate than Western Union or MoneyGram, so the recipient gets more rupees per Indian rupee sent.
Other apps like Remitly, OFX, and SendFriend also operate in this space, though not all are available to all Indian users. Check whether the app is available in your region and whether it supports transfers to Nepal before you read.
Mobile wallets and peer-to-peer transfers
If both you and the recipient have accounts with the same mobile wallet service, you can transfer money directly through the app. Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm work this way within India, but cross-border transfers to Nepal are not yet available through these services. Wise has a mobile app that works for international transfers, as do Remitly and others.
The advantage is speed—transfers happen in minutes—and low or no fees. The disadvantage is that both sides must have the same app and a valid account, which limits your options. Check whether the recipient has the app before you try to send.
What you need before you send
| Method | What you need | What the recipient needs | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer | Indian bank account, recipient's bank details | Nepalese bank account | 2–5 business days |
| Western Union / MoneyGram | Cash or debit card, recipient's name | Valid ID (for cash pickup) or bank account | Minutes to hours |
| Wise | Indian bank account | Nepalese bank account | 1–2 business days |
| Mobile wallet app | Account with the app, recipient's username | Account with the same app | Minutes |
For any method, you'll need the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their ID or bank account. Spelling mistakes can delay or block the transfer. If you're sending to a bank account, confirm the account number and bank name before you initiate the transfer—banks cannot reverse a transfer sent to the wrong account.
Comparing cost and speed for your situation
If you're sending more than 100,000 rupees and the recipient can wait a few days, a bank transfer saves the most money. If you're sending less than 50,000 rupees or need the money to arrive today, Western Union or MoneyGram is usually faster, though the fee is higher as a percentage of the amount.
Wise sits in the middle: it's cheaper than Western Union for large amounts, faster than a bank transfer, and the exchange rate is better than either. It works well for regular transfers of 20,000–100,000 rupees.
Use a money transfer service's online calculator to compare the final amount the recipient receives, not just the fee you pay. A service with a lower fee might offer a worse exchange rate, so the recipient ends up with less money overall.
What happens if something goes wrong
If the transfer doesn't arrive within the promised timeframe, contact the service when ready. For bank transfers, your Indian bank can trace the payment through the international system, though this takes time. For Western Union and MoneyGram, you can cancel the transfer if the recipient hasn't picked it up yet.
If you send money to the wrong account or the wrong person, recovery is difficult. Banks cannot reverse transfers once they've been processed. Money transfer services can sometimes recall a transfer if it hasn't been picked up, but this depends on how much time has passed. Always double-check the recipient's details before you confirm the transfer.
Keep your receipt or confirmation number. If there's a dispute, you'll need proof that you sent the money and the amount and date of the transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how much I can send from India to Nepal?
India's Liberalised Remittance Scheme allows Indian residents to send up to $250,000 per financial year to Nepal without special permission. Most banks and money transfer services have their own limits, typically 500,000–1,000,000 rupees per transaction. Check with your bank or service for their specific limit.
What's the difference between the exchange rate I see online and what I actually get?
The rate you see on Google or financial websites is the mid-market rate, which is what banks trade at among themselves. Money transfer services buy and sell at slightly different rates and add a margin, so the recipient gets less rupees per Indian rupee than the mid-market rate. This is how they make money. Always check the final amount the recipient receives before you confirm.
Can I send money if I don't have a bank account?
Yes. You can use Western Union or MoneyGram at a physical location in India and pay with cash. The recipient picks up cash in Nepal with a valid ID. You'll still need the recipient's full name and their ID number.
How do I know if the money arrived?
Most services send a confirmation email or SMS when the transfer is processed and again when the recipient collects it or it's deposited. For bank transfers, ask your bank for a reference number and check your account statement. You can also ask the recipient to confirm they received it.
What if the recipient's bank account details are wrong?
If you send to the wrong account number, the money goes to that account and the bank cannot reverse it. Always confirm the account number, bank name, and recipient's name before you send. If you discover an error when ready, contact the service or your bank to see if the transfer can be stopped before it clears.