Getting to Bhutan

Flights into Paro, the two national airlines, and how to cross overland from India.

Flying into Paro

Paro is Bhutan’s principal international airport, set in a deep valley surrounded by ridges of more than 4,000 m. Only specially trained pilots fly into it, and landings take place in daylight, so the approach — banking between the mountains with farmhouses passing beneath the wings — is one of the most memorable in the world.

Two national airlines fly to Paro: Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Between them they connect Paro with cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Bangkok and Singapore. Routes and schedules change with the seasons, so we check the current timetable for your dates.

Which side of the plane?

Flying from Kathmandu or Delhi, sit on the left for the Himalaya — on a clear day you may see Everest, Kangchenjunga and the peaks of Bhutan. Flying out, sit on the right.

Crossing by land from India

Bhutan has three main land entry points for visitors, all on the southern border with India:

A land crossing can be a good way to combine Bhutan with Darjeeling, Sikkim or Assam, and some of our routes enter in one place and leave by another so you never retrace your steps. Your guide meets you at the border gate.

Getting around once you are here

All sightseeing is by private vehicle with a driver who knows the mountain roads well. There are no long straight roads in Bhutan — distances look short on the map but take time, and we plan drives with stops for tea, views and short walks.

Domestic flights link Paro with Bumthang, Gelephu and Trashigang on some days. They can save a long drive on a return journey; ask us whether they fit your dates.

Delays and slack days

Mountain weather sometimes delays flights, particularly in the monsoon and in late afternoon. We suggest leaving a buffer between your Paro flight and any onward international connection, and we keep in touch with the airline on your travel days.

Combining Bhutan with neighbouring countries

Many travellers combine Bhutan with Nepal, India or Thailand. Kathmandu offers one of the most scenic flights into Paro; Delhi and Kolkata have the most frequent connections; Bangkok and Singapore link easily to long-haul flights from Europe, Australia and the Americas. Overland, Bhutan pairs naturally with Darjeeling and Sikkim through Phuentsholing, or with Assam and the north-east through Samdrup Jongkhar.

Tell us where you are coming from and going next, and we will suggest the entry and exit points that make the most of your days — sometimes flying in and driving out is the most rewarding way to see the country.

Luggage and arrival

Baggage allowances on the regional flights into Paro can be lower than on long-haul carriers, especially on economy fares; check the rules on your ticket, particularly if you are carrying trekking equipment. Paro’s terminal is small and calm, and your guide waits just outside the arrivals hall.

Travel info

All nine guides

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