At most airports, lounge access is a privilege reserved for those with a boarding pass. Step past security, flash your ticket, and only then are you allowed to rest. At Tribhuvan International Airport, however, one lounge breaks that rule. At Yatra Lounge & Restro, you do not need to be flying anywhere at all.

Located on the airport premises, outside the restricted departure area, Yatra Lounge & Restro is accessible to everyone. Travellers, relatives who come to see them off, airport and airline staff, and even people with no flight plans can walk in freely—no boarding pass, no special pass, just an open door that welcomes all.

“That was the whole idea,” says Laxman Bastola, the director of Yatra Lounge & Restro. “Airports are stressful spaces, especially for those who are waiting. We wanted to create a place where people could rest, eat, work, or simply sit comfortably without needing a ticket in hand.”

Open 24 hours a day, the lounge operates more like a hybrid of a restaurant, rest space, and transit facility. The moment you enter, it feels different from the usual airport chaos. Warm lighting, neatly arranged seating, and a sense of calm replace the crowded waiting areas outside. From a distance, the glow of its lights adds a new visual identity to this once-empty corner of the airport.

“This space used to be empty,” Bastola says. “Now it has helped in the beautification of the airport. People notice the lights from afar. It feels welcoming.”

The facilities are extensive. The multicuisine menu ranges from a dal bhat buffet to restaurant-style dishes. For those in a hurry, there is a takeaway counter offering coffee, drinks, and cookies. Massage chairs sit alongside recliners. There are private rooms, workstations, sleeping areas, and showers for travellers battling jet lag or long transit hours.

“Many people arrive exhausted after long flights and just want to freshen up,” Bastola says. “They can take a shower here. They can sleep. They can work if they need to.”

The lounge also offers secure luggage storage, allowing visitors to keep their bags safely for hours. For travellers with delayed connections or night flights, this has been a relief. The space is equipped with real-time flight display monitors to ensure no one misses important announcements.

The value of such a space became clear when a Qatar Airways flight was cancelled. Instead of sitting on the floor or lying against walls, passengers found refuge at Yatra Lounge & Restro.

“Before this place existed, people would sit or even sleep on the floor when flights were delayed or cancelled,” Bastola says. “That always felt wrong to me. During the Qatar flight cancellation, people stored their heavy luggage here, some booked workstations and continued working, and others slept. It showed us why this space matters.”

Beyond passengers, thousands of airline and airport employees have also benefited. Previously, staff often had to leave the airport premises to eat or rely on food delivery. Lunch breaks were rushed, and meeting family members involved complicated pass procedures.

“Staff used to go outside the airport just to have a proper meal,” Bastola says. “Now they can eat here and save time. We also offer staff discounts.”

The lounge has unintentionally become a social space for the airport community. Birthday celebrations, farewells, and casual meet-ups happen here. Relatives and friends of airport staff can now meet them without the hassle of securing special entry passes.

“Earlier, if a staff member’s family wanted to meet them, the process was complicated,” Bastola says. “Now they can simply meet here. It has made life easier for so many people.”

Even basic amenities like restrooms have made a difference. The surrounding airport restrooms are often overcrowded. Yatra Lounge & Restro offers a cleaner, quieter alternative.

Foreign travellers have also found the lounge practical. Those heading to Pokhara or waiting for late-night flights no longer need to book a hotel for a few hours. They can store their luggage, rest, eat, and wait comfortably inside the airport area.

“People with night flights spend hours waiting,” Bastola says. “Why book a hotel just for that? They can stay here, rest, and leave when it’s time.”

The lounge opened in June 2025 after months of planning and approvals. Building a commercial space inside an international airport was not easy.

“It was challenging to build it here,” Bastola says. “We had to go through many challenges. The investment was huge, and every minor decision required approval. Even the smallest setup needed permission from the airport authorities.”

Despite the hurdles, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—from celebrities to everyday travellers.

“People tell us they love the concept,” Bastola says. “They say it makes the airport experience better.”

There are also subtle design choices that reflect local identity. Some sofas feature Dhaka-pattern fabric, a nod to Nepal’s textile heritage. “If all the seats had Dhaka patterns, it would have been even nicer,” he says. “It reflects Nepal’s identity, and that matters.”

In an airport often criticised for congestion and limited facilities, Yatra Lounge & Restro stands out as a small but meaningful intervention.

“A lounge should not only be for those who are flying,” Bastola says. “Everyone who comes to the airport is on a journey in some way.”