✈️ Flight Guide: San Francisco (SFO) → Kathmandu (KTM)

December in Kathmandu features winter cultural activities, Christmas and New Year events in hotels and restaurants, and increased trekking departures to lower-elevation trails. While major Nepali festivals like Dashain and Tihar occur earlier in the year, December offers holiday markets, cultural performances in Patan and Bhaktapur, and quieter pilgrimage visits to Lumbini. Book festival-related tours and special dinners early in December to avoid sold-out events during holiday weeks.

The best time to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in December is early-to-mid December (first three weeks) to capture clear mountain views and avoid late-December holiday price surges. Midweek departures (Tuesday–Thursday) often yield the lowest fares, and flights that arrive in Kathmandu during daylight hours maximize mountain visibility on approach. If you need holiday travel, book far in advance and prioritize refundable or flexible fare classes.

There are typically no direct flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM); most December journeys require connections. Choosing a connecting hub affects total travel time and comfort: Doha (DOH) and Dubai (DXB) offer premium lounges and smoother long-haul connections, while Delhi (DEL) often provides the shortest total travel time but may require visa-on-arrival or re-check considerations. For December travel, prioritize reliable connection times and allow longer layovers to protect against weather-related delays in Nepal.

Qatar Airways (SFO–DOH–KTM): strong business class, reliable connections, and frequent schedules; ideal if you value lie-flat seats and lounge access. Emirates (SFO–DXB–KTM via partner): excellent inflight service and global network but often longer total journey times. Turkish Airlines (SFO–IST–KTM): competitive pricing and a pleasant transfer experience at Istanbul Airport. Air India or Star Alliance partners (SFO–DEL–KTM): often shortest total time to Kathmandu but watch visa/transit formalities. For December, compare total travel time, baggage policies, and included amenities; book refundable or change-flexible fares during peak holiday weeks.

Pack warm layers, a good down jacket, and sun protection—December days can be sunny and cold, with chilly nights in Kathmandu and surrounding hills. Hydration and gradual altitude acclimatization are crucial if heading to higher elevations; schedule rest days in Pokhara or Kathmandu before pushing to higher treks. Carry essential medications, a basic first aid kit, and travel insurance that covers mountain rescue or trip interruption. Finally, check and reconfirm domestic flight schedules within Nepal 24–48 hours prior to departure as winter operating hours can change with weather. CTA: Prepare your packing list and purchase travel insurance before your December departure from SFO to KTM.

Typical SFO to KTM itineraries in December range 18–30+ hours including layovers. Example schedules: SFO–DOH (Qatar) overnight, DOH–KTM next-day arrival (total ~20–24 hours); SFO–DXB (Emirates) then DXB–KTM (total ~22–28 hours); SFO–DEL (Air India) then DEL–KTM (total ~18–22 hours). Allow at least 2–3 hours for international-to-international transfers and 3–4 hours if you must clear immigration or re-check luggage in a transit hub. For domestic onward connections within Nepal (e.g., Pokhara), secure a minimum 4–6 hour buffer to accommodate weather-related schedule changes in December.

To secure cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in December, book 6–10 weeks ahead and search multi-stop combos via Doha (DOH), Dubai (DXB), or Delhi (DEL). Use fare-aggregators with flexible date grids, enable price drop alerts, and consider flying midweek or departing in early December instead of peak holiday weeks. Look for bundled fares that include checked baggage when connecting across carriers to avoid surprise fees. If you can be flexible with routing and accept a longer layover, you can often reduce fares substantially. CTA: Start a fare alert for SFO to KTM December and compare multi-carrier itineraries now.