Travel to Bhutan

Flying to Bhutan

Paro International Airport (IATA: PBH) is Bhutan's sole international airport, located in a deep valley surrounded by peaks. Due to its challenging terrain and weather conditions, only a select number of pilots are certified to land there.

Bhutan's national flag carrier is Drukair—Royal Bhutan Airlines, while Bhutan Airlines is the country's first private airline. Both operate flights connecting Paro to several international destinations, including Bangkok (Thailand), Kathmandu (Nepal), Singapore, and several cities across India.

And here is another useful piece of information—the Kathmandu-Paro flight has fabulous views of the Himalayas on the left-hand side of the plane.

Airport Guides

Travelling to Bhutan by Rail

Bhutan does not have a railway network. The nearest railway stations are in India, and train travellers must then enter Bhutan via a land border crossing.

Driving to Bhutan

The main border crossings open to foreign tourists are:
• Phuentsholing: Located in southwestern Bhutan, opposite the Indian town of Jaigaon in West Bengal. This is the most commonly used land entry point for tourists.
• Gelephu: Situated in central Bhutan, across from the Indian state of Assam.
• Samdrup Jongkhar: Found in southeastern Bhutan, also bordering Assam.

Travellers should verify the current status of these crossings before planning their journey, as accessibility can change. Additionally, all foreign nationals (except citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives) must obtain an e-visa before they arrive in Bhutan.

Getting to Bhutan by boat