Bhutan flights and travel to Paro

The Bhutan Airport in Paro

The only international airport in the country is located in Paro. Situated at an altitude of 2,230 meters, it is nestled in a deep valley on the banks of the Paro Chu River. Surrounded by peaks reaching up to 5,400 meters, the approach for passengers is particularly scenic.

However, the combination of a deep valley and a short runway means that only a handful of pilots are permitted to land here. Landing on the runway, which is only 1,900 meters long, poses a special challenge. Therefore, air traffic is allowed only during daylight hours and under the best visibility conditions.

Paro is accessible from major cities in Asia and India, with connections to destinations such as Bangkok, Mumbai, Singapore, Delhi, and Kolkata.

These flights are operated by the national carrier, Druk Air, which also manages the airport, and the relatively new private operator, Bhutan Airlines, which has been flying to and from Paro Airport for a few years now. Flights to and from Paro operate only a few times a day but are reliable. When traveling to Bhutan, your flight to Paro will be your first step into the Land of the Thunder Dragon if you choose to arrive by air. The international airport in Paro is only 6 km away from the city center, and the distance to the capital, Thimphu, is 65 km.

The Bhutan Airport in Bumthang

The first national airport in Bhutan is located in the district of Jakar. In 2011, a well-paved runway with a small terminal was built near the town of Bumthang. This airport exclusively handles domestic flights.

Due to the weather conditions characterized by strong winds and fog, the approach to this airport is often challenging. Domestic flights between Bumthang and Paro or Yongphula are often operated with small propeller aircraft. Consequently, weather-related cancellations in Bumthang are not uncommon, as these small planes are more susceptible to adverse weather conditions.

The departure frequencies are also not particularly dense, as there is not much demand. Nevertheless, a flight to Bumthang is a convenient alternative to traveling by bus.

Yongphula - National Airport in the East of Bhutan

The national airport Yongphula is located in the Trashigang district. Originally a military airport, it was converted for civilian use. During the construction of the airport, the runway and buildings were literally cut into the mountaintop, with the landing strip ending at a mountain wall.

Due to its geographical location on a mountaintop, the runway is very short and situated at an altitude of 2,576 meters. The domestic airport is located 1.5 hours south of Trashigang. Currently, no airline serves the Bhutan Airport. If this changes, we will immediately include domestic flights to and from Yongphula in our program.

Gelephu Airport - New Airport Awaiting Activation

This domestic airport is located in the south of the country. It was inaugurated with a maiden flight in 2012 but unfortunately has not been operational since. This was mainly due to communication problems with airlines and the need for new passenger facilities. Once Gelephu Airport resumes regular operations, we will incorporate it into our tour and domestic flight planning.

We are happy to include meaningful domestic flights between the national airports in the country in your tour itinerary, so you can quickly travel from one region of Bhutan to another.

Flying to Bhutan with Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines

If you're arriving from an international airport, you have the option of taking a direct flight to the Paro Valley in Bhutan. Daily flights are offered by both the state-owned airline, Druk Air, and the private carrier, Bhutan Airlines. All connections are very reliable and can be booked through us.

Enjoy the unique view of the Himalayas during your journey to Bhutan from Bangkok, Mumbai, Singapore, Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, or Bagdogra.

Depending on the duration of your direct flight, the cost of round-trip flight tickets ranges from approximately €220 to €1100 per person in the economy class. These prices are subject to change based on your specific request, and we can also provide prices for one-way flights or upgrades to business class upon inquiry. We can calculate individual flight offers for your journey to Bhutan based on current prices.

Flying in Bhutan - Shorter routes, more experiences!

In addition to flying to Bhutan, there's also the option of traveling within the country by plane. Take advantage of flights to Jakar/Bumthang in Central Bhutan or to Trashigang Yongphu in the east of the country to avoid long journeys.

This way, you can avoid covering the same routes twice and experience more of the fascinating mountainous country.

The cost of an domestic flight from Paro to Jakar or Trashigang Yongphu or vice versa is approximately €200 to €250 per person. We are happy to include such convenient flights in your itinerary planning. Feel free to inquire!

Forms on the flight to Bhutan: Visas and more

To enter Bhutan, you will need a valid visa. As a certified Bhutan travel organizer, we are happy to apply for this visa for you directly on site. Please provide us with a completed entry form, a color copy of your passport valid for at least six months, and a current biometric passport photo. Additionally, you will need confirmation from the Ministry of Tourism regarding the full payment of the government-mandated daily tariff for visitors to the country.

Hotel bookings must also be made in writing in advance. You will receive all these documents from us 2-3 weeks before your travel date. You will need to present these documents upon your arrival in Bhutan.

We are happy to assist you in booking direct flights with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines from Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Yangon, Jakar, or Singapore to Bhutan.