There are only two Airlines in Bhutan: Drukair & Bhutan Airlines. The flights to Bhutan operate to and from Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati. We also have domestic Air Service to Bumthang, Yonphula and Gelephu.
DrukAir, Royal Bhutan Airlines, is the national flag carrier of Bhutan. It has always played a vital role in connecting Bhutan to the world.
DrukAir operates its flights to the following destinations:
Bangkok, Thailand
Singapore
Kathmandu, Nepal
Kolkata, India
Bagdogra, India
Gaya, India
Guwahati, India
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Delhi, India
Bhutan Airlines is one of the two airlines operating in Bhutan, providing both international and domestic flights to ensure connectivity across the country and neighbouring regions.
For travel requirements & Bhutan Ticketing, please contact our Ticketing Agent. We are the legal Ticketing Agents for both DrukAir & Bhutan Airlines. Please contact our ticketing specialist.
Advantages Of Booking Your Flights To Bhutan With Us:
We notify you when flight timing changes, which is not done by the airlines. Airlines ask you to check your booking 72 hours prior, which sometimes can be later than that. Booking with us is more secure you need not adhere to instant purchase. We can hold your air seats for some days or weeks depending on the demand for seats.
Information & Tips On Flights To Bhutan:
Paro Airport: Bhutan’s only international airport, surrounded by 18,000 feet high peaks. Only a handful of pilots are qualified to land here.
Bhutan Flights Timing: Flight schedules depend on weather and geographic conditions. Timings are subject to change. Check bookings 72 hours prior or rely on our updates.
Tickets Validity: Tickets issued against full fare are valid for one year, unless otherwise specified.
Check-In Formalities: Report 2 hours prior to departure (3 hours for Delhi). Itinerary receipt, travel documents, visas, and credit card (if used) must be presented at check-in.
Baggage: One hand baggage (max 5kg, dimensions ≤100cm). Checked baggage allowance: Business 30kg, Economy 20kg.
Visa Requirement:
Indian, Bangladesh & Maldives nationals require e-permit through an authorized travel company in Bhutan.
Other nationals need valid visa clearance from Department of Immigration of Bhutan before boarding.
Travel Tips: Maintain minimum 24 hours connection time. Flexible tickets recommended. Transit passengers follow specific check-in procedures at Bangkok.
Customs: Personal import of tobacco products is allowed within specified limits; excess subject to 100% duty and tax.
Final Tip: Take left-hand side seats flying into Bhutan for Himalayas view; right-hand side flying out. Aircraft altitude: 26,000–39,000 ft. Views include Mt. Jomolhari, Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Gauri Shankar.
Delayed Arrival: No refund for delays, missed flights, or airline changes due to weather, road blocks, or other uncontrollable factors.
It is mandatory for all tourists to obtain a Bhutan e-visa clearance before traveling to Bhutan. Indian tourists require e-permits as Bhutan visa to enter Bhutan. International tourists require e-visas. Bhutan Atijong issues both e-Visas and e-permits. Learn all you need to know about Bhutan Visa.
Process for Visa Application:
To get your e-visa / e-permit approved for Bhutan, the only required document is a copy of your valid passport (validity should be for more than six months from the day you exit Bhutan). The Government SDF must also be paid.
SDF For Tourists:
Starting from September 01, 2023, the Bhutanese government has introduced a 50% discount on SDF. These incentives are valid until December 31, 2027. The exclusive benefits are applicable to SDF visitors who choose to pay USD $200 per day. For Indian tourists, the SDF is INR 1200 per person per night.
We encourage you to explore our detailed blog posts for comprehensive information on SDF discounts, incentives, and calculation methods. Experience the warmth of Bhutan, the serenity of its landscapes, and the richness of its traditions with these SDF benefits.
Reasons To Increase SDF For Bhutan Visa:
Bhutan tourism follows the philosophy of ‘High Value, Low Volume’. Recently, tourist numbers increased, causing crowded monasteries, disruption of sacred sanctity, and more waste. Bhutan, with 1000 acres of protected areas, had to adopt a cautious tourism policy to preserve its religious, cultural, and environmental heritage.
Process:
After receiving your SDF payment, it is transferred to the Government SDF account, and the online visa is applied for. Approval takes a maximum of five days. Your e-visa will be sent via email. Carry a printed copy for check-in at Paro International Airport. The actual Bhutan visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival.
1. All travellers, except those from India, will need visas to enter Bhutan.
2. A Bhutan visa may be obtained by citizens of Bangladesh and the Maldives once they arrive at the port of entry and have paid the required SDF.
3. Swiss and Thai nationals with diplomatic or official passports are qualified for a visa upon arrival at the port of entry.
4. Bhutan requires e-permit for visitors from India. Anyone with an Indian passport or voter ID card is subject to this. Passports or birth certificates are acceptable for Indian natives under 18. However, they must be accompanied by legal guardians.
1. A copy of your passport is needed. Before the scheduled departure date from the Kingdom, the passport must be valid for at least six months. For Indian National both passport & Voter Card work.
2. Valid travel insurance for the entire duration of the trip.
3. An updated passport-size picture.
The following are the additional information required to initiate the visa:
1. City of residency
2. Country of residence
3. Nationality at birth
The non-refundable visa charge is USD 40 per person. Even though the procedure to issue the visa is often rapid, processing the visa might take up to five business days. However, please take note that we can only apply for your visa after receiving payment for the Government SDF and Visa processing cost.
Indian citizens can travel using their passports or voter ID cards. Children under 18 can travel using a birth certificate or passport, but they must have a legal guardian. A photo of the size of a passport is also necessary. It is necessary to have travel insurance, which must be valid for the whole journey.
Your insurance provider is where you can get travel insurance. Additionally, you may purchase from Bhutanese insurance companies at the port of entry upon arrival. At every port of entry, there are also tourism information officials who may help visitors. Click here to get details on the insurance from Bhutan Insurance Limited.
1. SDF of Nu. 1,200 or equivalent USD is charged to visitors from India per night.
2. All other visitors must pay USD 100 per person SDF every night.
3. The kids aged from 6 to 12 will be subject to a 50% concessionary charge on the SDF, while children under the age of 5 will not be required to pay the SDF.
4. The SDF monies go to the national exchequer. They are distributed to different initiatives that improve the infrastructure, services, and amenities for citizens of Bhutan and foreign visitors and provide free healthcare and education.
1. The SDF must be paid through a wire transfer or credit card when applying for a visa or e permit.
2. Indians can pay with INR, but the Other National have to pay their SDF in USD.
Visitors visiting the Indian bordering Bhutanese towns will not be required to pay the SDF until they reach the first authorised location determined by the government. Visitors staying the night in border towns will be charged the SDF.
The Department of Immigration will reimburse the SDF for any cancelled or cut-short travels, and any bank fees will be deducted from the amount reimbursed.
1. From Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore (Changi), and Thailand, travellers can fly to Bhutan (Bangkok).
2. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines are the only two airlines offering flights to Bhutan.
3. After receiving the necessary licences from the appropriate authorities, private aircraft can fly into Bhutan.
4. Additionally, all guests may arrive on foot from Phuentsholing. Other land entry locations allow Indian visitors to access Bhutan (Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Samtse).
A maximum of 90 days will be allotted for the visa or permit issuance.
Before the expiration of the visa or permission, as appropriate, the Department of Immigration can process the extension. The Department of Immigration must be paid the necessary SDF and any costs associated with extending a visa or authorization.
The procedure often goes quite quickly for visa or permission extensions, although it may take up to five business days.
The Department of Immigration will reimburse the SDF for any cancelled or cut-short travels, and any bank fees will be deducted from the amount reimbursed. The immigration system must be used to file an online SDF refund request. Refunds won’t be handled until after guests have left the Kingdom. If you have booked the tours with us, we will be doing the needful.
Trekking excursions requiring overnight stays must be scheduled through a local travel operator. You will get all the logistical support from us for your hiking or trekking excursion.
All tourists to Bhutan are highly encouraged to hire a guide. This is done to ensure that every tourist in our nation enjoys themselves and takes in everything Bhutan offers. There are some animals in the area and the altitude and terrain might occasionally present particular difficulties, guides also assist in ensuring the tourists’ safety and security. A guide is required for all trekking activities, any journeys beyond Thimphu and Paro, and visits to cultural sites. While guides are not required to accompany visitors for all experiences (such as dining out and shopping).It is recommended that they do so for activities like visiting temples and other local points of interest.
On our website, at https://www.mybhutanguides.com, we have a list of every qualified guide. You may review their profiles and select the one that most closely matches your needs.
Bhutan provides various lodging options, from opulent 5-star hotels to comfortable homestays in old-world villages.
Visitors can visit www.bhutaninbound.com to seek a list of approved lodging.
Though the payment comes in our company favor, no payment gets credited in our account. The Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) has that arrangement with the Bhutan Bank. We are just allowed to transfer the payment to the following accounts: a) Tourism Council of Bhutan, b) Airlines, c) Luxurious Hotels. This way we are very well monitored by TCB.
Only after your happy departure, TCB credits the payment back to our account after necessary deductions like Royalties and business taxes.
E-Permit Process:
In order to get an e-permit, the regional guest has to approach any licensed Bhutanese tour operator like Bhutan Best Inbound Tour. However, the regional guests can recommend their own choice of preferred hotel or transportation or book on their own.
Documents Required to Process E-Permit:
Details of the confirmed tour itinerary
Details of the confirmed accommodation
Details of the confirmed ground transport
Details of Licensed Bhutanese Tour Guide
Pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
Photo page of the Passport Copy
Passport Copy (Validity at least 6 months from date of departure from Bhutan)
Benefits of Paying SDF for Regional Guests:
Receive your permit in advance
Safe and secure personal attention during the stay in Bhutan
Preferential exemption from entry fees for state-owned tourist attraction sites
Guaranteed quality services
Contribute to overall sustainable management of tourism in Bhutan
For further information on Bhutan Visa, you can contact us.
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