How to Get to Bhutan

Reaching Bhutan is an important part of planning your journey. For most international travelers, the easiest way to enter Bhutan is by air through Paro International Airport, with connections from selected regional cities.

The best route depends on where you are traveling from, your travel dates and the available flight schedule. Rather than trying to plan every connection yourself, OMSHA Travel can help you identify suitable flight options and coordinate your Bhutan itinerary around your arrival and departure flights.

Travelers can reach Bhutan mainly by air or land, as it doesn’t have direct train services or major road connections with neighboring countries. The country’s only international airport is in Paro, served by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines with direct flights from Singapore, Kathmandu, Bangkok, New Delhi, Dhaka, and UAE.

From India, visitors can also enter Bhutan overland through Phuentsholing, Gelephu, or Samdrup Jongkhar. 

Contact OMSHA Travel to arrange your Bhutan trip seamlessly and enjoy a stress-free travel experience. Make your journey even smoother by letting us handle all your travel logistics. You will receive all the information you need to make your trip unforgettable, with your personal guides, hotels, itineraries, and more.

If you have any questions, need help for flight reservation, please contact us or our  team.

ARRIVE BY AIR

Paro International Airport: This is the only international airport in Bhutan. You can fly into Paro from several cities, including Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kolkata and New Delhi), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore, and Thailand (Bangkok) and Dubai. 

Bhutan has two national airlines: Drukair and Bhutan Airlines  operate flights to and from Paro. You’ll likely need to connect through one of their hubs to reach Bhutan.

If you have any questions, need help for flight reservation, please contact us or our  team.

Flight to Bhutan

ARRIVE BY AROAD

There are three official entry points by road from India: Phuentsholing (in western Bhutan), Gelephu (in central Bhutan), and Samdrup Jongkhar (in eastern Bhutan).

Phuentsholing is the main entry point at the southern border with India. You can take a bus or hire a taxi from nearby Indian cities like Bagdogra or Siliguri.

Once you arrive at the entry point our car and guide will pick you up.

 

TRAVEL WITHIN THE COUNTRY

The most convenient way to travel in Bhutan is to hire a vehicle and driver from a tourism service provider. It is not possible to hire a self-drive vehicle in Bhutan. And it is not convenient and easy to use public transport as it is not frequent and efficient. Therefore our package include transport be it solo, couple or group. 

Four airports connect the country’s western, central, southern and eastern regions. Although airlines always aim to provide the highest service, Bhutan’s unique landscape occasionally makes for unreliable departure dates. Yonphula airport – located in the eastern part of Bhutan – is given to unpredictable weather in the summer months due to its altitude and micro-climate. Flights are thus sporadically delayed or cancelled. Other domestic airports are located in Bumthang and Gelephu, and there is the international airport in Paro.

We encourage you to reach out to us before you plan domestic flights, or any other travel within the country.

Getting Around in Bhutan

Private Tours and Guides
Tourists are required to book their trip through a licensed operator. This ensures that you have a guide, driver, and a private vehicle to explore Bhutan at your own pace.

Public Transport
While public buses are available, they are not suitable for tourists due to limited routes and schedules. Opt for private transportation for comfort and convenience.

Flying to Bhutan

Bhutan’s main international airport is Paro International Airport (PBH). Most international visitors connect through one of the regional gateway cities before flying to Paro.

Depending on your origin, possible gateways include:

  • Delhi, India
  • Kolkata, India
  • Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Singapore

Flight schedules and routes can vary depending on the season and travel dates, so it is important to check the available flights before finalizing your itinerary.

Traveling From the USA

There are generally no nonstop flights from the USA to Bhutan.

Travelers from cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston or Washington, D.C. will normally need to connect through an Asian gateway before continuing to Bhutan.

A practical approach is to first reach a major regional hub such as Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore or Kathmandu, depending on your overall flight itinerary.

Planning tip: If you’re coming from the USA, tell us your departure city and preferred travel dates. We can help you work out the most practical routing to Bhutan.

Traveling From Canada

Travelers from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and other Canadian cities will generally need one or more connections before reaching Bhutan.

Depending on your international flights, you may connect through a major Asian gateway and then continue to Paro.

Because connection times and airline schedules can vary, we recommend planning your international flights together with your Bhutan flights.

Traveling From the United Kingdom

Travelers from the UK can generally connect through major Asian aviation hubs before continuing to Bhutan.

For travelers from London, Manchester and other UK cities, possible routing options may involve Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore or Kathmandu, depending on the available flights.

If you are traveling from the UK, we can help you coordinate your arrival and departure flights with your Bhutan itinerary.

Traveling From Australia

Travelers from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and other Australian cities will normally need to connect through Asia before flying to Bhutan.

Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi and other regional hubs may form part of the overall journey, depending on available flight schedules.

For Australian travelers, it is particularly useful to consider the total journey time and connection schedule when selecting your route.

Traveling From Singapore

Singapore is one of the most convenient regional gateways for travelers heading to Bhutan.

If you are already in Singapore, you can look for available flights connecting Singapore with Paro based on your travel dates.

Singapore is also useful for travelers who are combining Bhutan with another Southeast Asian destination.

Traveling From Japan

Travelers from Tokyo, Osaka and other Japanese cities will generally need to connect through a regional Asian gateway before reaching Bhutan.

Possible connections can include cities such as Bangkok, Delhi, Singapore or Kathmandu, depending on the flight schedule.

When planning your trip, consider the connection time as well as the overall journey duration.

Traveling From Malaysia

Travelers from Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities can plan their journey through available regional connections.

Depending on the date, your route may involve connecting through Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi or another suitable gateway before continuing to Bhutan.

Traveling From Hong Kong

Hong Kong is another useful regional starting point for travelers visiting Bhutan.

Depending on the current flight schedule, travelers may connect through another regional gateway before continuing to Paro.

If you are traveling from Hong Kong, we can help you coordinate your flight schedule with your Bhutan tour.

Traveling From Europe

Travelers from Europe will generally need to connect through Asia before reaching Bhutan.

Depending on your departure city, possible gateways can include:

  • Delhi
  • Bangkok
  • Kathmandu
  • Singapore

For example, travelers from:

Germany → Frankfurt / Munich → Asian gateway → Paro

France → Paris → Asian gateway → Paro

Switzerland → Zurich → Asian gateway → Paro

Italy → Rome / Milan → Asian gateway → Paro

Netherlands → Amsterdam → Asian gateway → Paro

Austria → Vienna → Asian gateway → Paro

The most convenient option depends on your exact departure city, travel dates and available connections.

Which Gateway Should You Choose?

There is no single best route for every traveler.

Your best gateway depends on:

Where you live → International flight availability → Connection time → Bhutan flight schedule → Price → Overall travel time

For some travelers, Delhi may be the most convenient option. Others may find Bangkok, Kathmandu or Singapore more suitable.

This is why we recommend checking the flight options before locking in your final itinerary.

Let OMSHA Travel Help With Your Flight Planning

You don’t need to spend hours trying to work out every possible connection to Bhutan.

Simply send us:

  • Your departure city
  • Your preferred travel dates
  • Number of travelers
  • Whether you need a return flight
  • Any preferred airline or gateway

We can then help you understand the available options and plan your Bhutan itinerary around your flights.

Your journey to Bhutan starts before you land in Paro.

Let OMSHA Travel help you coordinate the journey from your departure city to Bhutan, along with your visa, SDF, hotels, private transportation, guide and customized itinerary.

Plan Your Bhutan Trip

FAQs About Traveling to Bhutan

1. Do I need a tour operator to visit Bhutan?
Independent travel is not encouraged. Planning your trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator is strongly recommended and, in many cases, necessary for a smooth travel.

2. How much does a trip to Bhutan cost?
The cost depends on the duration, type of accommodation, and activities. The Sustainable Development Fee is $100 per day for international tourists.

3. Can I use drones in Bhutan?
Drone usage is prohibited without special permits. It’s best to consult your tour operator for guidelines.

4. Are vegetarian food options available in Bhutan?
Yes, Bhutanese cuisine offers a variety of vegetarian dishes, including ema datshi (chili and cheese).

5. Is travel insurance mandatory for Bhutan?
While not mandatory, travel insurance is highly recommended for unforeseen circumstances like medical emergencies or trip cancellations.