International guests
Visiting Bhutan from abroad
How to get here, how the visa works and what the Sustainable Development Fee is — in plain language. We’re based in Paro and will meet you on arrival.
Documents, SDF and guide rules: see Bhutan travel rules & documents. A friendly summary checked against official sources in October 2026. Flight routes, fees and rules change — always confirm on bhutan.travel before you travel. We re-confirm everything when you book.
✈️ Flying into Paro
- Most international guests arrive at Paro International Airport, Bhutan’s main gateway.
- Two Bhutanese airlines fly in: Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines.
- Common connecting hubs: Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka and Kolkata — also Guwahati and Bagdogra in India. Some routes run only a few days a week or seasonally.
- The approach into Paro is one of the world’s most scenic landings — book the left side for mountain views (weather permitting).
- Check live schedules on drukair.com.bt and bhutanairlines.bt.
🛣️ Overland via Phuentsholing
- You can also enter by road at Phuentsholing, opposite Jaigaon in West Bengal, India.
- The usual way in is a flight to Bagdogra airport (or train to NJP station), then a drive of a few hours to the border.
- From Phuentsholing to Thimphu or Paro is a full day’s scenic mountain drive.
- We can arrange pickup in India on request, and you can fly out of Paro at the end — pickup and drop points can be different.
🛂 Visa — arranged through us
- All international visitors need a visa before travelling (rules for India, Bangladesh and the Maldives differ — see India & Bangladesh).
- When you book with us, we process the visa application for you through the official system. You just send a passport copy and a recent photo.
- The official visa fee is a one-off US$40 and applications are usually reviewed within five working days.
- You receive your visa approval before you fly; it is checked on arrival.
💚 Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- Bhutan charges a daily Sustainable Development Fee that supports free healthcare, education, conservation and carbon-neutral development.
- The official sources currently state US$100 per adult per night, 50% for children aged 6–11 and free for children under 6. This rate is a time-limited incentive stated to run until 31 August 2027.
- The SDF is paid with the visa application and is separate from your tour cost — we’ll show it clearly in your quote.
- Figures can change; please re-check on bhutan.travel.
✅ Good to know
- Travel with a licensed Bhutanese guide is required for international guests; we arrange your guide and vehicle with driver.
- Stays are in Department of Tourism–certified hotels — choose 3★, 4★, 5★ or luxury lodges in our trip planner.
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
- Full list of rules and the original documents to carry: Bhutan travel rules & documents.
- Best seasons: spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov); winter is clear and quiet.
🧭 Suggested tours
- Cultural tour — Western Bhutan (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha)
- Festival tour around a Tshechu (festival dates)
- Trekking — from day hikes to multi-day treks
- Special tours — honeymoon, wellness, photography, birdwatching
- Or build your own trip: places, hotels, vehicle and guide.
Official sources: bhutan.travel/visa · Department of Immigration FAQ · Drukair destinations · Bhutan Airlines destinations
Ready to plan your Bhutan journey?
Pick your places, hotels and vehicle in our planner, or just send us your dates — we’ll reply with a personal plan and a clear quote.