Traveling to Thimphu, Bhutan

To reach the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu, travelers have a few options. The most common way is through air and subsequent road transport because Bhutan does not have railways and its mountainous terrain limits accessibility.

By Air

The primary point of entry by air is via the Paro International Airport (PBH), which is the only international airport in Bhutan. Located about 51 kilometers from Thimphu, the airport is well connected to several prominent cities.

Direct flights to Paro are available from the following locations:

• Kathmandu, Nepal (Tribhuvan International Airport)
• New Delhi, India (Indira Gandhi International Airport)
• Kolkata, India (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport)
• Bagdogra, India (Bagdogra Airport)
• Bangkok, Thailand (Suvarnabhumi Airport)
• Dhaka, Bangladesh (Shahjalal International Airport)

The national carrier, Druk Air, and Bhutan Airlines operate flights to and from these locations.

By Road

After arriving at Paro International Airport, you can take a taxi or have a pre-arranged vehicle take you to Thimphu. The drive takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, traversing through beautiful mountainous landscapes.

Alternatively, overland entry is possible through the border town of Phuentsholing, which lies on the India-Bhutan border near the Indian town of Jaigaon. It is approximately 6 hours drive to Thimphu from Phuentsholing.

Travel Permits

It is important to note that Bhutan requires all tourists (except citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives) to have a visa and to book their trip through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, or one of their international partners. The tour operator will arrange your travel permit, which is required to travel within Bhurn.