There are two ways to enter the kingdom of Bhutan. You can either take a flight or use roadways to enter Bhutan. Bhutan is a landlocked country, so there is no provision for entering the country by sea.
All international travelers must enter through official entry points with valid visas and permits arranged in advance through a licensed tour operator like us.
1) By Air (Most Convenient Way)
Flying is the fastest and most popular way to enter Bhutan. All international flights land at Paro International Airport (PBH), the country’s only international airport. It is considered one of the most scenic and challenging airports in the world, surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks at an elevation of about 2,235 meters (7,332 ft).
Currently, its two national carriers serve Bhutan:
- Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines
- Bhutan Airlines (Tashi Air)
International Flight Routes Include:
Paro’s international routes connect to a limited set of cities in the world, mostly in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and now the Middle East:
Common gateway cities with direct flights to Paro include:
- Kathmandu, Nepal (KTM) – ~1 hour flight
- Delhi, India (DEL) – ~2.5 hours
- Kolkata, India (CCU) – ~1h 15m
- Bagdogra, India (IXB) – short flight
- Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) – ~3 hours
- Dhaka, Bangladesh (DAC) – ~1h 30m
- Dubai, UAE (DXB) – ~4h 30m (newer route, 2 flights/week)
- Singapore (SIN) – seasonal or limited flights
- Mumbai, Bangalore (BOM, BLR)—some seasonal Bhutan Airlines services
For someone outside Asia, the most common routing is:
- Europe / North America / Australia → major Asian hub (e.g., Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Singapore, Dubai) → Paro
Airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay, Turkish Airlines, etc., get you to the hub; then Drukair or Bhutan Airlines takes you to Paro.
Each flight offers stunning aerial views of the Himalayas before landing in Paro Valley.
Note: Annual tourist arrivals are limited due to Bhutan’s “High Value, Low Impact” tourism policy, making early booking highly recommended, especially during peak seasons (spring and autumn).
2) By Road (From India Only)
Travelers from India can also enter Bhutan via land border crossings. There is no road access from Nepal or Tibet for tourists.
Main Entry Points:
- Phuentsholing (Southwest Bhutan) – Most popular entry point
- Gelephu (Central Bhutan) – Entry via the central Assam region
- Samdrup Jongkhar (Southeast Bhutan)—Entry from eastern India
Key Route Information:
- Phuentsholing is the most commonly used entry point for travelers coming from the following locations:
- West Bengal (India)
- Sikkim (India)
- Nepal (via India transit)
- The nearest airport to Phuentsholing is Bagdogra Airport (India), approximately a 4–5-hour drive away.
- Samdrup Jongkhar connects Bhutan with Guwahati (Assam), which is a major Indian flight hub.
Important: Even if entering by road, permits must be processed in advance, and travel beyond border towns requires official clearance.
Entry Requirements (Important Update 2026)
To enter Bhutan, travelers must have:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months’ validity)
- Pre-approved Bhutan visa (processed via licensed tour operator)
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) payment (USD 100 per person per night for most international travelers)
- Travel insurance (mandatory in most cases)
Flight Booking Procedure
The following is the flight booking procedure :
- Share your preferred travel dates, passport details, and route preferences with us.
- We check availability and hold seats with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines.
- You receive a confirmed quotation
- Complete payment via bank transfer or cards.
- Receive your official e-ticket and travel confirmation
Why Entry to Bhutan is Unique
Bhutan strictly controls tourism to preserve its culture and environment. This means:
- Limited flight seats during peak season
- Regulated tourist entry system
- Requirement of guided travel outside free independent movement
- High-quality, organized tourism experience
Note: We are authorized to issue a flight ticket for DrukAir and Bhutan Airlines.