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Getting to Bhutan

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Flying to Bhutan

Regardless of where you are in the world, entry into Bhutan by air is only possible through Paro International Airport, the country’s sole international gateway.

Thanks to recent expansions, Bhutan now enjoys increased flight frequency and new international routes, including:

Scheduled flights to and from:
  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Delhi & Kolkata, India
  • Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Singapore
Additional international routes
  • Guwahati, Bodhgaya, Bagdogra, and Mumbai (India)
  • Dhaka (Bangladesh)
  • Dubai
  • Hong Kong

Domestic air travel has also become more accessible. You can now fly within Bhutan to:

  • Bumthang (Central Bhutan)
  • Yongphula, Trashigang (Eastern Bhutan)
  • Gelephu (South-Central Bhutan)
Flights are operated by two carriers:
  • Drukair (the national airline)
  • Bhutan Airlines (private operator)

Helicopter services are available for scenic flights and emergency services, operated by Drukair Helicopter Services and Heli-Bhutan.

Prefer road travel? Bhutan can also be accessed by land via three entry points from India:

  • Phuentsholing (South-Western Bhutan)
  • Gelephu (South-Central Bhutan)
  • Samdrup Jongkhar (South-Eastern Bhutan)

Bhutan Agro Tours provides assistance with both international and domestic ticketing, tailored to your preferences.

Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) / Tourism Royalty

After reopening to tourism in September 2022, Bhutan introduced a revised tourism policy emphasizing high-value, low-impact travel.

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is now USD 200 per person per night, which directly supports Bhutan’s environmental conservation, cultural preservation, free healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.

However, to promote tourism, the government has implemented special incentives (effective until 31 August 2027):

  • 50% discount for all USD-paying tourists → Effective SDF: USD 100/day
  • Additional 50% discount for children aged 6-12 years
  • SDF waiver for tourists staying within border towns for up to 24 hours

The SDF and visa fees must be deposited to the Bhutanese government before the visa process begins.

Visa Requirements

All travelers require a visa (for international tourists) or a permit (for regional travelers from India) before arriving in Bhutan.

  • Visa fee: USD 40 per person
  • Visas are processed online via a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, such as Bhutan Agro Tours
  • Processing begins after full payment is received, and takes at least 72 working hours

Once approved, a visa clearance letter will be emailed to you. Present this at your port of entry, where the visa will be stamped in your passport.

Actual Travel Cost

Beyond the SDF and visa fee, travelers must also cover the actual cost of their trip, which includes:

  • Government-approved accommodation (hotels, farm stays)
  • All meals, tea, and snacks
  • Internal transportation
  • Licensed tour guide services
  • Monument entry fees

Estimated cost: USD 100–200 per person per day, depending on group size. (Larger groups benefit from lower per-person rates.)

What's Included in Your Travel package?

Many travelers initially feel Bhutan is expensive, but feedback overwhelmingly shows high satisfaction and value. Your payment typically includes:

  • All internal taxes, including the SDF
  • Accommodation in clean, comfortable government-authorized hotels, farmhouses, or resorts
  • Three daily meals (vegetarian/non-vegetarian options)
  • Services of a licensed English-speaking guide (special language guides available at extra cost)
  • All in-country transport with skilled, licensed drivers
  • Optional domestic flights and helicopter services (available at additional cost)
  • Camping gear and trekking equipment (for treks)

Not included:

  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, alcohol, special meals)
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance

Cancellation Policy

In case of trip cancellation, the following charges apply:

  • 30+ days prior: No charge
  • 21-30 days: 10%
  • 14-20 days: 15%
  • 7-13 days: 30%
  • 7 days or no notice: 50%
  • After arrival in Bhutan: 100%

Hotel cancellation policies vary. We recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers cancellations.

Delayed Arrivals & Departures

If weather or roadblocks delay your travel:

  • No extra tour charges apply
  • However, you will be responsible for additional costs such as food, lodging, and transport during the delay

Booking Your Travel

Ready to explore Bhutan?

Booking with Bhutan Agro Tours is simple. Just fill out our contact form and let us know your interests—be it cultural experiences, festivals, treks, agro-tours, or research-focused visits.

We’ll help you craft a memorable and meaningful journey to help realize what Bhutan Believes.

Design Your Bhutan Experience