Other Options for This Route
San Francisco (SFO) to Kathmandu (KTM) in November from $556
From $556
San Francisco (SFO) to Kathmandu (KTM) in December from $534
From $534
San Francisco (SFO) to Kathmandu (KTM) in December from $1,338
From $1,338
November is prime travel month for Kathmandu treks and cultural visits, so travelers departing from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) should secure tickets 6–12 weeks ahead. Use flexible-date searches and fare alerts to capture sales; compare connections through Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates), Delhi (Air India/Vistara), and Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific). Consider alternate departures from San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) or Oakland International Airport (OAK) to find better timing or lower fares. Pack layered clothing for San Francisco weather and ensure carry-on essentials in case checked bags have long interline transfer times at connecting hubs. Book travel insurance and check visa-on-arrival policy for Nepal ahead of departure to avoid delays at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Call-to-action: Compare November SFO to KTM fares now and set price alerts for the best deals.
November brings dry weather and clear mountain views, making Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) one of the busiest months for arrivals. Plan for visa-on-arrival processing, prepaid taxi counters, and pre-arranged hotel pickups to beat lines. If trekking, finalize permits (TIMS, Sagarmatha National Park permit for Everest region) in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla or driving to trailheads. Nearby major destinations commonly accessed from KTM include Pokhara (gateway to Annapurna), Chitwan (wildlife safaris), Lumbini (pilgrimage), Bhaktapur and Patan (Lalitpur) for cultural day trips. Call-to-action: Pre-book your KTM airport transfer and trekking permits for November to secure best timings and avoid last-minute delays.
November often coincides with or follows Tihar (the five-day Festival of Lights), a major Nepali celebration that brings crowds to Kathmandu and nearby cities like Bhaktapur and Patan. Tihar usually creates high local demand for hotels and local transport—book accommodations and internal flights early. Other November activities include local fairs, cultural shows in Thamel and temple visits in Patan and Bhaktapur. For trekking-oriented travelers, multiple trailheads and lodges operate at full capacity in November, so reserve guides, permits, and domestic flights to Pokhara or Lukla ahead of time. Respect local customs during festivals: remove shoes at temples, ask permission before photographing people, and be mindful of holiday traffic and marketplace crowds. Call-to-action: Check festival dates for November and lock in lodges, domestic flights, and airport transfers early.
For clear skies, stable trekking conditions, and excellent mountain views, October and November are the absolute best months to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). November specifically offers crisp weather and fewer clouds than October in some years—perfect for Everest and Annapurna region treks—but it is peak season, so airfares and accommodation prices tend to be higher. If your priority is lower airfare, consider shoulder seasons (late September or early December) or the monsoon off-season (May–June) when prices are typically lower but weather is less reliable. For both value and experience, book November travel early and weigh the costs of flying via different hubs to find optimal balance. Call-to-action: If mountain views are a priority, lock in November flights early for the best experience.
Since there are no direct flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), travelers must choose between 1-stop and 2-stop itineraries. One-stop routes (common via Delhi, Doha, Dubai with single reliable carrier connections) usually minimize travel time and baggage transfer complexity. Two-stop itineraries may offer lower prices or better alignment with personal schedules but increase the risk of missed connections and longer total travel time. In November, hubs are busier and weather in connecting countries can impact transfers; prefer reputable carriers with strong on-time records and at least a 2-hour international-to-international layover in high-traffic hubs. For long multi-stop trips, consider booking protected itineraries on a single ticket to reduce the risk of lost connections. Call-to-action: Compare one-stop options via DOH/DXB/DEL for November to balance speed and price.
Common carrier routing comparisons for November: Qatar Airways (SFO → DOH → KTM) offers solid schedules, generous seat comfort and lounges at DOH; Emirates (SFO → DXB → KTM) provides premium service and broad connectivity; Turkish Airlines (SFO → IST → KTM) often has competitive fares and efficient Istanbul hub transfers; Air India and Vistara (SFO → DEL → KTM) can be fastest if connection windows are tight since DEL–KTM is short-haul; Cathay Pacific (SFO → HKG → KTM via codeshare) can be appealing for Asia-Pacific travelers. Consider baggage allowances (Emirates and Qatar typically offer more checked baggage on long-haul), alliance benefits (Oneworld vs Star Alliance), and transit visa requirements for certain nationalities at hubs. For November, prioritize carriers with good on-time records and reliable transfer processes because peak-season crowds increase the chance of delays. Call-to-action: Compare multi-airline itineraries and select one with a single-ticket connection to protect your journey in November.
Packing and health: Pack layered clothing for San Francisco cool and Nepal warm daytime/high-altitude cold nights; include a reliable down jacket, sun protection, and sturdy trekking boots. Permits and paperwork: Secure TIMS and region-specific permits (Sagarmatha for Everest, ACAP for Annapurna) in Kathmandu before trekking, and book domestic flights to Lukla or Pokhara early for November. Health and safety: Allow 1–2 days in Kathmandu for acclimatization, carry altitude sickness medication, purchase travel insurance covering evacuation and high-altitude rescue, and ensure routine vaccinations are current. Money and connectivity: Bring USD cash for visas and remote areas, buy a local SIM in Kathmandu for faster updates, and inform banks of international travel to avoid card blocks. Call-to-action: Finalize trekking permits and travel insurance now to travel confidently in November.
There are no nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). Typical total travel times in November range from about 18 to 30+ hours including layovers. Common routing examples: SFO → DOH (Qatar Airways) → KTM with total elapsed time ~20–24 hours; SFO → DXB (Emirates) → KTM ~20–26 hours; SFO → DEL (Air India/Vistara) → KTM ~18–22 hours; SFO → IST (Turkish Airlines) → KTM ~21–28 hours. Plan for minimum international connection times of 90–120 minutes when transferring between long-haul and regional flights, and allow extra buffer in November when hubs are busy. Check airline schedules for seasonal frequency changes and book connections with at least a 2-hour minimum for international-international transfers to reduce risk of missed connections. Call-to-action: Review flight itineraries and pick connections with realistic layover buffers for November travel.
Finding cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in November requires proactive searching because this is high season for Nepal. Use flexible-date calendars and set price alerts on multiple platforms. Compare nearby airports like San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) for better connection options or lower fares. Consider multi-carrier itineraries with one or two stops—routes via Delhi (DEL), Doha (DOH), Dubai (DXB), Istanbul (IST), or Hong Kong (HKG) can yield savings. Book 6–12 weeks in advance for the best balance of price and seat availability; last-minute deals are rare in November. Use fare-comparison tools, clear cookies or use incognito mode to avoid dynamic price inflation, and check mid-week departures for lower fares. Call-to-action: Set multiple fare alerts now and compare SFO, SJC, and OAK origin options to capture the most economical November flights to Kathmandu.