Getting to Bhutan
There is more than one way into Bhutan, by air or overland from India, and once you are here, getting around calls for the right mix of transport. Here is what to expect.
- Airport Paro The only international airport
- Airlines Drukair and Bhutan Airlines Both fly directly into Paro
- By road Four entry points From India
- Passport Six months valid Keep it on hand when you arrive
Ask for a left window seat when you fly into Paro and right window seat when you fly out of Paro. If you tell us where you are flying from, we will advise on the most sensible way in.
Once you land, you can buy a local SIM at the arrival counters. Prices and plans are in our Bhutan SIM card and eSIM guide.
What are the ways to travel in Bhutan?
Bhutan’s mountain terrain shapes how you get around. Depending on where you are headed, that might mean a private vehicle with a driver or a domestic flight. You can also take a mountain bike or motorbike, a local bus and a helicopter.
Whichever way you arrive, the SDF is charged per night from your arrival. Use our free Bhutan SDF calculator.
How do I fly into Bhutan?
Bhutan has two national airlines, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Both fly directly into Paro, the country’s only international airport.
- National airlineDrukairFlies directly into Paro. Book on drukair.com.bt.
- National airlineBhutan AirlinesFlies directly into Paro. Book on bhutanairlines.bt.
The two airlines connect Bhutan to:
- BangladeshDhaka
- IndiaFour citiesBagdogra, Guwahati, Kolkata and New Delhi.
- NepalKathmandu
- Singapore and ThailandSingapore, Bangkok
There are also routes to Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Dubai.
The descent into Paro has a reputation for drama that outpaces the reality. The valley is narrow, and the approach curves between ridgelines rather than coming in straight, which makes for one of the more memorable landings in commercial aviation. Only a small number of pilots are certified for the route, and it is flown with exceptional care. Ask for a window seat.
Read our guide to flights to Bhutan.
Which road entry points can I use?
There are four official road entry points from India: Samtse and Phuentsholing in the west, Gelephu in the central region, and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east.
- WestSamtse
- WestPhuentsholing
- CentralGelephu
- EastSamdrup Jongkhar
Bringing your own car or bike? Read our guide to driving your own vehicle into Bhutan.
How do I get around once I am here?
The most practical way to travel within Bhutan is a hired vehicle with a driver, arranged through a car rental company or a tourism service provider; self drive hire cars are not permitted. A local driver or transport provider can also be booked directly.
Four airports connect Bhutan’s western, central, southern, and eastern regions:
- West, internationalParoThe international airport.
- Central, domesticBumthang
- South, domesticGelephu
- East, domesticYonphulaAltitude and micro climate make summer weather unpredictable, so flights are occasionally delayed or cancelled.
If you are flying domestically, the check in baggage allowance is 30kg in business class and 20kg in economy. If you are arriving internationally, keep your passport on hand at all times, with at least six months of validity remaining.
Can I hire a helicopter?
The Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited (RBHSL) is available for private hire. It was originally established for emergency medical evacuations, and now also supports heli hiking and other guest services, turning otherwise long journeys into short ones with an aerial view of the kingdom along the way. Helicopters fly only in clear, calm weather.
Where to go next
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