Getting to Bhutan in 2026: Flights to Paro & Overland Routes
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Getting to Bhutan is simpler than its reputation suggests — but it follows rules of its own. Only two airlines fly here, every international flight lands at one airport, and the world’s usual booking logic (book early, pay less) doesn’t apply. Here’s how it actually works, from the people who book these routes every week.
- Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly to Bhutan; all international flights land at Paro (PBH).
- There are no long-haul direct flights — you’ll connect through Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu or Singapore.
- Fares are largely fixed year-round: booking early secures a seat, not a discount.
- Two land borders are open to international travellers: Phuentsholing and, since late 2024, Samdrup Jongkhar.
- We book flights as part of every tour — see what a trip costs for current fares.
Which cities fly direct to Paro
| From | Airline(s) | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (BKK) | Drukair, Bhutan Airlines | Daily | Most popular long-haul connection |
| Delhi (DEL) | Drukair, Bhutan Airlines | Daily | |
| Kathmandu (KTM) | Drukair, Bhutan Airlines | Daily | Cheapest fares; the great Himalaya flight |
| Kolkata (CCU) | Drukair, Bhutan Airlines | ~4× weekly | |
| Singapore (SIN) | Drukair | 3× weekly (since Apr 2026) | Via Guwahati |
| Dubai (DXB) | Drukair | Suspended | Route paused until at least 31 Oct 2026; reopening not yet confirmed |
| Dhaka (DAC) | Drukair | 2× weekly | |
| Bagdogra (IXB) | Drukair | 2× weekly | Handy for Darjeeling/Sikkim itineraries |
| Guwahati (GAU) | Drukair | 2× weekly | Pairs with Samdrup Jongkhar exit |
| Gaya (GAY) | Drukair | Seasonal, Dec–Feb | Buddhist pilgrimage season |
Typical one-way economy fares in mid-2026: Kathmandu ~USD 200–280, Delhi ~USD 220–340, Bangkok ~USD 360–490, Singapore ~USD 550. A 25% return discount applies ex-Kathmandu in the winter and summer months through December 2026 — route details and totals are in our cost guide.
The Paro landing: what to expect
Paro’s runway sits at 2,235 m in a valley ringed by 5,000-metre ridges, and the approach — a hand-flown descent between forested slopes — is one of aviation’s famous ones. It’s flown under strict rules: daylight only, visual conditions only, by a small group of specially certified pilots.
What that means for your planning:
- Take a morning flight when you can. Afternoon valley winds and monsoon cloud cause most delays; mornings are markedly more reliable.
- Build in a buffer. Weather can hold flights a few hours or occasionally a day — never book a same-day onward long-haul connection out of your hub, and favour flexible tickets.
- Sit on the left flying in. From Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok the left-side windows get the high-Himalaya panorama — Everest and Kanchenjunga included on a clear day. Online check-in opens ~72 hours out; the window seats go immediately.
- Baggage: 30 kg checked + 5 kg cabin on Drukair international flights (20 kg on domestic sectors).
Entering overland from India
Bhutan has two land crossings open to international tourists:
- Phuentsholing — the main gateway, four hours from Bagdogra airport (West Bengal). The classic route for combining Bhutan with Darjeeling or Sikkim; from the border it’s a six-hour mountain drive to Thimphu.
- Samdrup Jongkhar — open to international travellers since late 2024, and the smart exit after an eastern Bhutan journey: you finish in Trashigang, cross, and reach Guwahati airport in about three hours instead of driving the whole country back west.
Your visa works the same overland as by air — arranged in advance (we handle it; see travel requirements) — and your guide meets you at the border gate.
Domestic flights within Bhutan
Drukair runs scheduled domestic sectors from Paro to Bumthang (~5× weekly), Yonphula in the east (~3× weekly) and Gelephu (~1× weekly). The Bumthang flight is the one we use most — it turns the two-day drive to central Bhutan into 35 minutes, which transforms a one-week itinerary. Looking further ahead, Bhutan is building a second international airport at Gelephu for the Mindfulness City project, targeted around the end of the decade — until then, Paro remains the only international gateway.
Getting around once you’re here
Bhutan has one lateral highway and no internal rail; you travel by road, with vehicle and driver included in every tour. Distances mislead — the roads climb and wind, so plan by hours, not kilometres:
| From | To | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paro | Thimphu | 65 km | ~1 h |
| Thimphu | Punakha | 77 km | ~3 h (over Dochula Pass) |
| Thimphu | Phuentsholing | 176 km | ~6 h |
| Punakha | Trongsa | ~140 km | ~5 h |
| Trongsa | Bumthang | 68 km | ~2.5 h |
| Bumthang | Mongar | 198 km | ~7 h |
| Mongar | Trashigang | 90 km | ~4 h |
| Trashigang | Samdrup Jongkhar | 180 km | ~6 h |
| Samdrup Jongkhar | Guwahati (India) | 110 km | ~3 h |
The Thimphu–Punakha road crosses Dochula Pass (3,100 m), whose 108 chortens and Himalayan panorama make it a highlight rather than a transit — most drives here are like that, which is why our itineraries treat travel days as sightseeing days.
We’ll get you here
Flights, visa, permits and the border logistics are all part of what we arrange — tell us your departure city and dates and we’ll propose the best routing, or start with what the whole trip costs and when to come. Plan your trip with our team in Thimphu.
Plan the trip
Private tours that pair with this guide
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights to Bhutan from the US, UK or Europe?
No — no long-haul flights reach Bhutan. Every visitor connects through a regional hub: Bangkok, Delhi and Kathmandu have daily flights to Paro, and Singapore, Kolkata, Dhaka and several Indian cities have several per week. Bangkok is the most comfortable routing from most long-haul arrivals.
How do I book flights to Bhutan?
Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly to Paro, and both sell online — or we book your tickets for you as part of your tour, which is what most of our guests do. Fares are largely fixed, so early booking secures a seat rather than a discount.
Is the airfare the same if I book through you or directly with the airline?
Yes — identical. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fares are fixed, so booking through us costs exactly the same as booking direct; there's no markup and no commission built in. Most guests let us handle it anyway, because we watch schedule changes, handle weather rebookings, and check you in for the good seats.
Can I enter Bhutan by land?
Yes. International tourists can cross at Phuentsholing (from West Bengal) and, since late 2024, at Samdrup Jongkhar (from Assam) — the latter is a great way to exit after an eastern Bhutan tour, connecting to Guwahati airport in about three hours.
Which side of the plane has the mountain views?
Flying into Paro from Kathmandu, Delhi or Bangkok, sit on the left for the high-Himalaya panorama — on a clear day it includes Everest and Kanchenjunga. Sit right on departure. Window seats go fast, so check in online the moment it opens, about 72 hours before the flight.
How early should I book flights for festival season?
Three to six months ahead for late September–October and late March–April. Paro's flights are small and the fares fixed, so festival weeks sell out on seats — the price won't rise, but the plane will be full.
Tailor-made travel
Begin your journey to the Last Shangri-La
Every Little Bhutan itinerary is private and tailor-made. Tell us what draws you to Bhutan — festivals, treks, monasteries, food — and we will design the journey around it.