Travel Information
About Bhutan
Bhutan is a small, landlocked nation located in south Asia, nestled in the eastern Himalayas. It is bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east and west.
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan located in the western-central region of the country
The national language is Dzongkha with many languages and dialects also being spoken. English is also widely used and understood as it is the language of instruction in schools
The currency used is the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) which is pegged to the Indian Rupee (INR).
Bhutanese cuisine is renowned for its rich and spicy flavors, with chili, cheese and rice being a staple in the diet. Many restaurants across the country also serve a wide selection of western, Indian and other international cuisine.
The climate in Bhutan is extremely varied due to the country’s diverse topography. Bhutan has four seasons:
Spring (March – May)
Summer (June – August)
Autumn (September – November)
Winter (December and February)
Bhutan is a year-round destination. Each season has its own unique attractions to offer.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-time-to-visit-bhutan
Visa and Sustainable development fee
Yes, all nationalities except those from India require a visa before entering Bhutan.
Indian citizens – Can apply for a permit but are required to hold an Indian passport or India voter ID card. Minors under the age of 18 require a passport or birth certificate and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Bangladesh and Maldives citizens – Visa can be applied for in advance or upon arrival in Bhutan.
Switzerland and Thailand diplomats or government officials – eligible for visa at their port of entry.
You can directly apply for a visa here or if you’re traveling with a tour operator they may apply on your behalf.
The travel permit can be obtained here or at the point of entry. Please be aware that wait times may be longer depending on the volume of applicants at the time.
A correctly completed visa application may take up to five days
There is a one-time fee of Us $ 40 for processing your application.
The visa permits a stay up to 90 days in Bhutan from the date of entry. Visa extensions can be applied for before the original visa or permit expires.
The sustainable development Fee is a daily levy paid by visitors to support Bhutan’s development.
The SDF is USD$100 per night for adults of all countries except India. Indian nationals are charged Nu.1200.
Children between 6 years and who have not yet turned 12 are eligible to pay half the SDF per night.
Children who have not yet turned 6 years old do not have to pay any SDF.
Travel
Travelers can get into Bhutan either by land or by air.
The most common way to enter Bhutan is by flying into Paro International Airport. Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are two airlines that operate flights to and from cities like Bangkok, Singapore, Delhi and others.
Visitors can also enter by land via three border crossings from India:
Phuentsholing: located in southern Bhutan, bordering the Indian state of West Bengal.
Gelephu: Located in south-central Bhutan, it borders the Indian state of Assam.
Samdrup Jongkhar: Situated in the southeast, this entry point also borders Assam.
- SIM cards can be obtained upon arrival at the visitor information center at Paro International Airport, from branch offices of Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell, or from authorized agents in various towns.
You can exchange your local currency for ngultrum upon arrival at Paro International Airport, or at banks, major hotels, and authorized currency exchange services in Thimphu.
Three different electrical plugs are used throughout Bhutan:
British plug – three square pins, compatible with type G sockets
European plug – two round pins, compatible with type C socket.
Indian plug – three thick round pins, compatible with type D sockets.
Banks and ATMs accept Visa and Mastercard. International credit cards are commonly used in Urban areas but this service may not be available in more remote regions of the country.
Visitors are permitted to bring cash up to the equivalent of US$ 10,000 into the country which must be declared at the airport or other entry points.
For more travel information
For the latest information please visit the official travel website: https://bhutan.travel/faqs