Thinking of traveling to a beautiful place that will mitigate all your stress? Then you must definitely think of visiting Bhutan. In this article on How to reach Bhutan from India, We’ll take you to the mesmerizing Bhutan and the journey to reach Bhutan from India.
The beauty of Bhutan lies in the serene natural environment. It is a small country surrounded by Tibet on its north, Nepal to its east, and Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal to its south respectively.
The country has been blessed with many natural and geographical attractions that include valleys, high-altitude lakes (Taktshang Lake), temperate forests, and steep mountains.
But how to reach Bhutan from India? It’s a question that many people ask themselves when they are planning their next vacation.
And if you’re looking for an adventure, then this is the right article for you! We will discuss how to get there.
So, let’s get started and explore some ways to reach our beautiful destination
How to Reach Bhutan from India
1. By Air
One of the easiest ways to reach Bhutan is via air. The flights that connect India to Bhutan directly are Bhutan Airlines and Drukair Airlines. These two airlines operate flights from Gaya, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bagdogra to Paro which is the only international airport in Bhutan. If Indian travelers contact the airlines through email, they can get special offers on fares provided by Drukair.
All the permit formalities are done at the Paro airport immigration office. And you will get permission to visit Paro and Thimphu.
A thing that is to be noted is that you will need to carry a valid Indian passport with you. The officials of Paro are particular with their job and don’t entertain or accept any other ID proof. So, make sure to carry original required documents and two passport-size photos.
2. How to Reach Bhutan From India (By Rail)
The railway is one of the cheapest ways for Indians to reach Bhutan. Jaigaon is the nearest Indian town on Indo-Bhutan Border. You can easily get a train to its station called Hasimara. It is at a distance of 17km from Jaigaon.
There are four trains to Hasimaran from Ranchi (749 km), Kolkata (690 km), Kanpur (1197 km), and Delhi (1663 km). One station that provides you good connectivity is situated in New Jalpaiguri. All the information regarding timetables and tickets availability is available on the IRCTC website. Though this journey is quite long for the travelers living away from these four railway stations.
3. By road
If you love to travel by road and can sit in the car for too long then you can definitely choose to go via road. Jaigaon is the most common way to enter Bhutan from India. It is 4.3 km from the Bhutan border town, Phuentsholing.
There are private cabs available between these two places. All those people who land in New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra can avail private cab services. Bagdogra airport has prepaid taxis available as well.
To summarize, there are three places that grant you permission if you travel by land, that is Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu, and Phuentsholing. The most popular among these three is Phuentsholing as it is closest to Paro and Thimphu.
If you ask me what will be the best way to reach Bhutan I would say you must go for Aiway.
If you are a budget traveler then you can take a flight to Bagdogra and then hire a cab to Phuentsholing that costs around 2500 INR. Also, check for fare comparison before booking the Bagdogra flight. There is a fair chance that you get a great deal.
And if you do not worry about the finances then the best way to reach Bhutan is via Air. It takes 2.5 hours to reach Paro from Delhi.
I hope you find this article useful for planning an amazing trip to Bhutan. If you know some amazing places that travelers must visit, then please let our readers know in the comment section.
FAQs
What is the best time to travel Bhutan?
October to December is the best time to travel Bhutan as it has a clear air and sunny skies.
Is Indian visa allowed in Bhutan?
Yes, Indian visa is allowed in Bhutan. Travelers need to get an entry permit from the immigration office in Phuntsholing. This permit is valid for 7 days. If you are traveling via road, you will have make to show it in every checkpoint.
Can we travel to Bhutan via road?
Yes, there are three places that grant you permission if you travel by land, that is Samdrup Jongkhar, Gelephu, and Phuentsholing
Which Air lines are available in Bhutan?
Bhutan Airlines and Drukair Airlines are the two airlines that are available.
Also Read: Cheapest Places to Visit in India
