How To Reach Bhutan – Various Modes Of Reaching Bhutan

Bhutan is our friendly neighbor. It is also a splendid destination to explore the picturesque natural beauty, mountain views, sceneries, and valleys. Travelers explore cultural festivals, go trekking, rafting, biking, and hiking expeditions in Bhutan. Some of the most attractive attractions of Bhutan are the Buddhist monasteries and breathtaking landscapes.

The best places to visit in Bhutan are Phuensholing, Thimpu, Paro, Punakha, etc. Here the travelers enjoy the adrenaline boosters of adventure sports. Adventure activities such as cycling, water rafting, kayaking, trekking, biking, etc. are popular among travelers. But reaching Bhutan is not so easy.

The Best Time To Travel To Bhutan

Travelers prefer to travel to Bhutan after the rainy season. The Indian Monsoon has a great influence on the weather of Bhutan. Hence, the rainfall in Bhutan is quite heavy. Here the monsoon starts in late June and ends in September. Hence, the best time to visit Bhutan is from October to March. Tourists also visit in the peak months of April to mid-June during summers. You can enjoy amazing scenic views of the Himalayas during the summers.

Do You Need Visa To Enter Bhutan?

Visitors from India, Maldives, and Bangladesh can enter Bhutan without a Visa. They need to carry a valid passport to get the entry permit. Indian nationals can also carry their Voter ID cards with a small passport size photograph.

Flying To Bhutan

Bhutan is mesmerizing and magical. Bhutan has only one international airport, the Paro International Airport. The options to fly to Bhutan are very limited. International flights to Bhutan run from Bodh Gaya, Guwahati, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bagdogra. The permission to fly in and out of Bhutan is from their national carrier, Druk Air, and a private airline, Bhutan Airlines.

Flying to Bhutan is the fastest way to reach Bhutan, but not the cheapest. As there are limited airlines, flying to Bhutan is quite expensive. The flying experience in Druk Air is incredible. The crew is very friendly offering fabulous hospitality services. If time is a limitation, flying to Bhutan is the best way.

Train – An Affordable Option To Travel To Bhutan

Another most popular means of transport is the extensive train network in India. Traveling by rail is the cheapest way to travel to Bhutan. Jaigaon, an Indian border town is a gateway to Bhutan. The nearest railway station to Jaigaon is Hasimara located on the Indo-Bhutan border. Hasimara is a small town in West Bengal. Train to Hasimara runs from Delhi, Kanpur, and Delhi. The trains run regularly with affordable charges. Before traveling, ensure you book your tickets in advance.

Another station near Bhutan is New Jalpaiguri. From New Jalpaiguri, you can get a connecting train to Hasimara or else you can book a taxi or bus to reach Jaigaon.

A Road Trip To Bhutan

Another way to travel to Bhutan is a road trip. Road trips are the longest and costliest option. It would be a costlier trip if you are traveling from New Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Mumbai, etc. If you are traveling from Kolkata, it would be cheaper.

Indian travelers can take personal or rented cars to Bhutan. The car permits are available from the Regional Transport Office in Phuensholing. Phuensholing is a small town located at the border of Bhutan. The permit would cost you around 200 Rs. i.e. 200 Ngultrum (Bhutanese currency).

For some travelers, the car is not a feasible and affordable option. A bus is an affordable way to reach Bhutan for budget travelers. The bus service runs daily from Esplanade Station of Kolkata to Phuensholing which takes 22 hours. The bus journey is comfortable and affordable.

Choose The Easiest Way To Reach Bhutan

From Kolkata

The city of Kolkata has one of the best options available to reach Bhutan. For an affordable trip, you can take a bus to Phuensholing from Kolkata. The roads are in a poor condition; hence it may take longer than 22 hours.

So, traveling by bus may not be a feasible option. Instead, you can take a train from Kolkata to Siliguri/New Jalpaiguri or Hasimara. From there you can easily book a car, auto-rickshaw, shared jeep, or taxi to reach Phuensholing to enter the border with a permit.

Another way to reach Bhutan from Kolkata is by booking a private car. You can easily take a car to Bhutan and obtain a permit from the Regional Transport Office. Please make sure you carry all the important documents such as Passport, ID cards, Voter ID cards, driving license, etc.

 Siliguri To Bhutan

If you are traveling to Bhutan from Siliguri, it would be a shorter trip of 157 km. When you reach Siliguri, several options are accessible like bus, private taxi, shared jeep, car, etc. The roads are not well maintained; surely it would be a bumpy ride.

There are two routes from Siliguri to Phuensholing. One way is to travel from NH31C and the second is through Siliguri- Guwahati National Highway. Another option is that you can take a train, Indore-Guwahati Weekly Express from Siliguri to Hasimara costing around Rs 500.

Hasimara To Bhutan

Reaching Bhutan from Hasimara is also a good option. The distance to Jaigaon is only 15 km. It would a comfortable trip if you opt for a transport option like an auto-rickshaw or taxi to reach the border in just 30 minutes. An auto-rickshaw would cost you around Rs. 100 and a shared jeep charges Rs. 50 per person.

 Bagdogra To Bhutan

The nearest airport in India to Bhutan is Bagdogra. Bagdogra airport is situated 9 km from Siliguri. Flights from leading cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi land are well connected and land at Bagdogra airport. Bagdogra airport is an international airport and flights are well connected to Paro Airport.

Traveling by road from Bagdogra to Phuensholing is a relatively comfortable option. You can have a view of a beautiful flowing river of Teesta and mesmerizing tea gardens while crossing the borders. The roads between Bagdogra and Phuensholing are in a good condition; hence 4-hour journey won’t be tiring. The 163 km distance can also be covered by a shared jeep, buses, or taxis.

Once you reach Phuensholing, you are in Bhutan. Exploring the border town is also a good choice. You can stay for a day at Phuentsholing. Here you can explore the local streets, handicrafts, and natural beauty. The best places you can explore are Thimpu, Punakha, Buddhist Monastries, valleys, Gompas, Dzongs, mountain views, etc.

A visit to Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan is a must. You can travel via buses and private taxis to Thimpu. It is a 5-hour journey from Phuentsholing covering around 165 km. You can explore the Buddhist Monasteries, Kharbandi Gompa, teak forests on the way to Thimpu.

You would cross certain checkpoints and landmarks during this journey. Places such as Gedu village, Wangchu, Rich ending checkpoint, Takti-chu, Tsimakoti Pass, etc. are some important checkpoints. You can get mesmerized with the glimpses of cascading waterfalls, winding streams, evergreen forests, and mist-covered townships while traveling on road. Hence, it can be concluded that traveling on road to Bhutan is one of the most attractive and feasible options.

Also Read, Reasons To Avoid Bhutan Night Club