How to Reach Bhutan

Bhutan is the smallest Asian country, but this status fails to deride this Himalayan Kingdom’s eminence of being a sought-after tourist destination. Gross national happiness has replaced the gross domestic product as a measure of the prosperity of the country which practices Buddhism and opened its doors to tourists only a couple of decades ago. 

The Kingdom of Bhutan has only one international airport – Paro Airport, which is about 54 kilometres from the national capital Thimphu. The airport has air connectivity from Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, and Mumbai among other Asian countries.  There are three domestic airports – Bathpalathang, Gelephu and Yongphulla with limited flight connectivity.

You can also travel to Bhutan via road, but only from the Indian side.  While Jaigaon-Phuentsholing is the entry point to Bhutan in the south-west, there are two other border crossings by road – Gelephu in the south-centre and Samdrup Jongkhar in the south-east (each close to Assam).

Bhutan has no rail connectivity. The closest railway access points are located in India, the most convenient one being Hasimara (about 17 km. Phuentsholing in Bhutan). From Hasimara, you can rent a car or hire taxis/cabs to reach Bhutan by road via the border town of Jaigaon where all formalities are completed to obtain permits for crossing the border. The nearest railway junction and airport to Jaigaon are New Jalpaiguri (149 km. away) and Bagdogra (164 km.) respectively. Royal Bhutanese Government also operates bus services between Kolkata/Siliguri in India to Phuentsholing.

Local buses and cars/taxis/cabs are the best modes to travel in Bhutan. Find how to reach Bhutan in the most convenient and fastest way with SOTC Holidays. Explore best of Bhutan tourism with our Bhutan Tour Packages.