From flight hubs to mountain roads — your complete guide to reaching and exploring the kingdom.
Paro International Airport (PBH) is the only international airport in Bhutan, and one of the most challenging landings in the world — only a handful of specially certified pilots are qualified to land here. The descent through the Himalayan valleys is breathtaking.
Only two airlines fly to Bhutan:
Due to limited competition, flights to Bhutan are more expensive than typical regional routes. Book early, especially for peak season (March–May, Sep–Nov).
| Hub | Round Trip (est.) |
|---|---|
| Kathmandu | $400–$500 |
| Delhi | $300–$500 |
| Bangkok | $600–$900 |
| Singapore | $700–$1,000 |
| Kolkata / Mumbai | $250–$400 |
| Dhaka | $250–$350 |
Overland entry is only permitted for citizens of India, Bangladesh, and Maldives. Three main border crossings connect Bhutan to India.
Most popular land crossing, located in western Bhutan. Connected to Siliguri and Kolkata in West Bengal. From here it's a scenic 4–5 hour drive to Thimphu.
From Jaigaon (India side): bus/train ₹500–1,500 | Taxi to Thimphu: ₹2,500–3,000/car
Central border crossing, connected to Assam via Bongaigaon. Gateway to Bumthang and central Bhutan. Less crowded than Phuentsholing.
Eastern border crossing near Guwahati, Assam. Starting point for eastern Bhutan exploration — but requires a longer stay (minimum 10 days recommended for the east).
The standard transport for all tourists. Your tour operator arranges a Bhutan-registered vehicle with a local driver. Roads are mountainous, scenic, and often narrow.
Internal flights save significant time, especially for reaching eastern or central Bhutan. Operated by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines.
Book early — domestic routes have very limited seats.
Public buses run between major towns and are available to tourists. Very affordable but slow, infrequent, and not suitable for most itineraries. Shared taxis are a faster alternative.
Available for remote areas or emergency access. Druk Air operates helicopter services. Must be booked well in advance and is expensive — mainly used for medical evacuations and luxury tours.
Bhutanese roads are mountain roads — distances are short but journey times are long. The famous lateral highway connecting Phuentsholing to Trashigang covers 560km but takes 3–4 days to drive.
| Route | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Paro → Thimphu | ~65 km | ~1.5 hours |
| Thimphu → Punakha | ~77 km | ~2.5 hours |
| Punakha → Wangdue Phodrang | ~22 km | ~45 minutes |
| Wangdue → Phobjikha / Gangtey | ~35 km | ~1.5 hours |
| Phobjikha → Bumthang | ~200 km | ~5–6 hours |
| Bumthang → Trashigang | ~260 km | ~8–9 hours |
Enable your debit/credit card for international use before travel. ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard in major towns but carry cash for rural areas.
Buy a Bhutanese SIM card (Tashi or B-Mobile) at Paro Airport on arrival for affordable local data and calls.
Bhutan is UTC+6. There is no daylight saving time adjustment. Clocks don't change year-round.
Roads pass through stunning passes like Dochula (3,100m) and Pelela (3,420m). Dress in layers — temperatures drop quickly with altitude.
Medical facilities are available in Thimphu and Paro. For treks above 4,000m, acclimatise properly. Evacuation insurance is strongly recommended.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Always carry it — you'll need it at internal checkpoints between districts.