How To Reach Bhutan
Reaching Bhutan by Air
The Paro International Airport is the only airport in Bhutan. It is located in the south-west of the country and caters only to Druk Air with flights connecting Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bodhgaya, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Kathmandu and Dhaka to Bhutan. The fares are a little steep. However, it is also widely considered to be one of the toughest airports in the world to land.
Bhutan has three other domestic airports. In the south-central region is the Gelephu Airport, Yonphulla Airport is located in the eastern side of Bhutan, and the Bathpalangthag Airport is in the central part of Bhutan. However, flight operations are now permanently closed in Yonphulla and Bathpalathag airports.
Druk Air is the official air carrier of Bhutan and is also the only airline which operates regular flights to and from Bhutan (Paro) to Delhi, Bagdogra, Kolkata, Bangkok, Gaya, Dhaka and Kathmandu. For the ones who wish to travel to Bhutan should be aware that Bagdogra is the nearest airport in India to Paro and it is situated in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Read more on Airports in Bhutan.
Reaching Bhutan by Bus
Bhutan can be reached by bus too. Buses are available from Kolkata > Siliguri > Hasimara to Jaigaon-Phuentsholing point in the border. The ticket prices range from BTN 300 to 700 approximately.
Read More on Bus Services in Bhutan
Reaching Bhutan by Rail
There are no railways in Bhutan. Travellers, therefore, has to reach the nearest railway station and then take local transport or a bus or cab to reach Bhutan. The most convenient, and also the best, option out of all is entering Bhutan from Siliguri, New Alipurduar, Hasimara or New Jalpaiguri in India. Hasimara is situated at a distance of 15 km from Jaigaon, the border town on the Indian side of the border (near Phuentsholing).
You can reach Hasimara by train, and then take a cab to Phuentsholing, where you will have to take a permit from the check-post to enter places like Paro and Thimpu in Bhutan. New Alipurduar railway station (North Bengal) is situated at a distance of 60 km from Jaigaon. You can take a bus ride or a taxi ride from New Alipurduar to Jaigaon.
Reaching Bhutan by Road
There are three land border crossings located along the southern border that is linked to India only. Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar. Road permits are required if you wish to get in by road. These permits can, however, be processed along with your visa.
Reaching Bhutan by Water
There are no waterways in Bhutan.
Reaching Bhutan from India
Reaching Bhutan from India is primarily done through road and air routes. By road, travelers can enter Bhutan through various border points in West Bengal, Assam, and other northeastern states. The most common entry point is Phuentsholing, accessible from cities like Siliguri and Bagdogra. From there, it's a scenic drive through the lush landscapes of Bhutan to reach popular destinations like Thimphu and Paro.
Alternatively, travelers can fly directly to Bhutan via the Paro International Airport, located in the Paro Valley. Drukair, Bhutan's national carrier, operates flights from cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bagdogra.
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