Uber launches in Nepal, its first new South Asia market in a decade
Synopsis
Uber has entered Nepal — its first new South Asian market in ten years — going up against entrenched local players like Pathao, InDrive, and Yango. With fleet-partner operations already live and a local company entity in the works, this is more than a symbolic launch: it is a bet on Nepal's fast-digitising urban economy and its booming tourism corridor.
Key Takeaways
Uber officially launched in Nepal on 5 June 2025 , following a trial period in the Kathmandu Valley .
Nepal is Uber's 11th market in the Asia-Pacific region and its first new South Asian market in a decade .
Available services include Uber Go , Uber Comfort , and Uber Bike , currently operated through fleet partners .
Uber competes with established players Pathao , InDrive , and Yango in Nepal's ride-hailing market.
The company is working to register a local entity in Nepal; it already operates in India , Sri Lanka , and Bangladesh .
Uber's global network now spans more than 70 countries .
Ride-hailing giant Uber officially launched its services in Nepal on 5 June 2025, marking the US-based company's entry into the Himalayan nation's competitive urban mobility market. The formal launch event was held in Kathmandu, following a trial run in the Kathmandu Valley that began last month. Nepal becomes Uber's 11th market in the Asia-Pacific region and its first new South Asian market launch in a decade.
Services and Products on Offer
Uber is now operational in Nepal with Uber Go and Uber Comfort in the four-wheeler category, alongside Uber Bike for two-wheeler travel. The company says the services offer riders 'simple, reliable and convenient' ways to move across the city. Currently, Uber is operating through fleet partners in Nepal, with plans to establish a local company entity underway.
Notably, international travellers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport will be able to use the app directly to reach their destinations — a feature that distinguishes Uber from several domestic-only competitors.
A Crowded but Growing Market
Nepal's ride-hailing space is far from uncontested. Pathao, InDrive, and Yango are already well-established names in the country, alongside several smaller operators. Uber's entry signals growing investor and corporate confidence in Nepal's digital economy, driven by rising urban mobility demand and a recovering tourism sector.
Dominic Taylor, Regional General Manager – Rides, APAC, Uber, described Nepal as 'a vibrant and fast-growing market shaped by increasing digital adoption, urban mobility needs and a thriving tourism economy.' He added: 'As Uber's first new South Asia market launch in a decade, Nepal represents an important milestone in our growth journey.'
US Embassy Backs the Expansion
Chelan Bliss, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Nepal, said Uber's decision to launch in Nepal was 'a vote of confidence in Nepal's trajectory and in the Nepali people.' She noted that US companies like Uber are helping 'expand consumer choice, support innovation, and create new economic opportunities for Nepal.'
Uber's South Asia Footprint
Uber already maintains an extensive presence across India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Nepal's addition brings the company's global network to more than 70 countries. This expansion reinforces South Asia's strategic weight in Uber's growth roadmap, particularly as the region sees accelerating smartphone penetration and urban migration. With a local company registration in progress, Uber's long-term commitment to the Nepali market appears more than symbolic.
Point of View
Which resonates strongly in cost-sensitive markets. Nepal's tourism rebound is a genuine differentiator: airport-to-hotel use cases give Uber a wedge that domestic rivals cannot easily replicate. But a decade-long absence from new South Asian markets also means Uber arrives without the regulatory goodwill or driver-community trust that incumbents have quietly built.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where has Uber launched in Nepal?
Uber has launched in the Kathmandu Valley, with services available across Kathmandu. International travellers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport can also use the app to reach their destinations.
What Uber services are available in Nepal?
Uber is offering Uber Go and Uber Comfort in the four-wheeler category, and Uber Bike for two-wheeler travel. The services are currently operated through fleet partners while Uber works to establish a local company entity.
Who are Uber's main competitors in Nepal?
Uber enters a market where Pathao, InDrive, and Yango are already well-established, alongside several smaller local operators. The competitive landscape makes Nepal one of the more contested ride-hailing markets in South Asia.
Why is Uber's Nepal launch significant?
Nepal is Uber's first new South Asian market launch in a decade, making it a notable milestone in the company's Asia-Pacific expansion. It also brings Uber's global network to over 70 countries.
Does Uber already operate elsewhere in South Asia?
Yes. Uber has an extensive existing presence in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Nepal is the newest addition to its South Asian footprint.
