Travel Information

VISITORS FROM INDIA

Visitors from India require a permit. You may apply for this before travelling here, or if you’re travelling with a tour operator or staying at a hotel, they can apply on your behalf. No fees are payable in advance.  You can also apply at your point of entry, but please be aware that there may be a long wait depending on the number of applicants at the time. If you are applying for a permit on arrival, you will need a passport-size photograph. You must also have insurance for the duration of your visit, which you can prearrange or purchase upon arrival. Your SDF is payable when applying for your permit, either online or in person. 

We recommend arranging your permit or visa beforehand.

Visitors from India will need a permit to enter Bhutan and are required to hold an Indian passport or an Indian voter ID card. Indian nationals under the age of 18 may enter with a birth certificate or passport and must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Indian nationals are eligible for permit on arrival, but it is recommended that a permit is obtained in advance, to reduce the processing time at the port of entry. For all visitors except those from India, the SDF is USD 200 per person, per night. For guests from India (who have an Indian passport or Indian voter ID card), the SDF is 1,200 ngultrum, or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees, per person, per night.

Children who have not yet turned six are exempt from paying any SDF. Children aged between 6 and who have not yet turned 12 at the time of travel receive a 50% concessionary discount on their SDF. Children aged 12 and above pay the full SDF rate. Effective 01 September 2023, a 50% discount on the SDF has been announced for US Dollar paying tourists. Under this incentive, the SDF is USD 100 per person per night. This is a timelimited incentive valid until 31 August 2027. Day visitors to the Bhutanese towns bordering India are also exempt from paying the SDF until they reach a point designated by the Bhutanese government.

ARRIVE BY AIR

Bhutan has two national airlines: Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Direct flights to and from our international airport in Paro connect you to Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Bagdora, Gauhati, Kolkata and New Delhi), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore, and Thailand (Bangkok).

ARRIVE BY ROAD

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

BY TRAIN

Bhutan does not have any rail connectivity with in the country. But it can be accessed through Railway stations located in India. The nearest railway station is Hasimara is approx 20km (45 min) away from Phuntsholing. Phuntsholing can also be accessed through New Alipurduar Jn. (60 km) & New Jalpaiguri (NJP) (175 km).

BEST TIME TO VISITS

It mainly has four different seasons.

Spring (Match April & May)

It is considered a very good season with moderate temperature. This is the time for green valleys, fresh vegetables & fruits.

Monsoon (June July & August)

This time of the year gets more rain fall other seasons.

Autumn (September October & November)

It is probably the best time to visit Bhutan with clear weather, blue sky. It provides magnificent view of valleys, snow.

Winter (December Janyary & February)

Winter is mostly sunny & cold. Bhutan gets almost no precipitation in winter. January is the coolest month.

Bhutan Currency

Bhutan currency in called Ngultrum & carries equal value to Indian Rupee.  Indian Rupees are widely accepted.Credit & Debit cards (Visa & Mastercard) are accepted in Bhutan. But the service is not widely available. So it is always advisable to carry sufficient cash.