Planning a Nepal trip without a passport? You're not alone — this is one of the most searched questions among Indian travelers heading to Nepal in 2026. The good news: Indians can visit Nepal without a passport, thanks to the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. But the documents required for Nepal from India differ depending on whether you're flying or crossing by land — and getting this wrong can leave you stuck at check-in. Here's the complete, updated 2026 breakdown of exactly what to carry.
Can Indians travel to Nepal without a passport?
Yes. Indian citizens can enter Nepal without a passport by carrying an original Election Commission Voter ID card. However, for air travel, only a passport or original Voter ID is accepted — Aadhaar, PAN, and driving licenses do not work for flights to Nepal.
Documents needed for Nepal trip from India (2026):
Valid Indian passport, OR
Original Election Commission Voter ID card
Aadhaar and PAN card are not accepted for air travel. Photocopies or digital copies are not valid — only original physical documents.
1. The myth-buster:
"Aadhaar works for a lot of things in India — but boarding a Nepal flight isn't one of them."
2. The practical rule:
"If you're flying to Nepal, there are only two documents that matter: your passport, or your original Voter ID. Everything else is a gamble."
3. The confusion-clearer:
"Nepal feels like a domestic trip until you reach the airport — then it follows every rule of an international flight."
4. The safety net:
"A photocopy won't save you at check-in. Only the original, undamaged document gets you through."
5. The traveler's takeaway:
"You don't need a passport for Nepal — but you do need to know exactly which document actually works, because half of what's shared online is outdated or wrong."