How to Travel to Bhutan from USA?

Traveling from the United States to Bhutan is now easier than ever, although it still requires one or two flight connections. As Bhutan’s only international gateway, Paro International Airport is served by a limited number of carefully managed routes.

With over 20 years of experience in organizing Himalayan journeys, we offer flexible travel routes from the United States to Bhutan. Below is a practical guide on how to reach Bhutan from the U.S. via different transit hubs.

How to Go to Bhutan from the United States?

Here are several ways for U.S. citizens to travel to Bhutan. Most travelers from the U.S. first fly to a major transit hub in Asia, such as Kathmandu, New Delhi, Bangkok, or Singapore. From these cities, you can take a direct flight to Paro operated by Drukair or Bhutan Airlines.

Option 1: Fly to Kathmandu, New Delhi or Bangkok First, Then Continue to Paro

No matter which city you depart from in the United States—such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, San Diego, or Chicago—you can first fly to Kathmandu in Nepal, New Delhi in India or Bangkok in Thailand. From any of these gateway cities, you can then take a connecting flight to Paro. Round-trip flights are available between Paro and these cities.

1. Flights from Kathmandu (KTM) to Paro (PBH)

Flights from Kathmandu to Paro operate on most days of the week, although schedules may vary by airline, and there may be no flights on certain days. The Royal Bhutan Airlines/Druk Air flights depart from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and arrive at Paro Airport in Bhutan, with a flight duration of about 1 hour. The full ticket price varies according to different seasons. Here's the flight schedule from KTM to PBH. In addition, from June onwards, there are also afternoon flights available to Paro.

>> See more about Nepal to Bhutan Flights

Note: The above information is for reference only. For the latest updates, please check the official websites of Bhutan Airlines or Druk Air. We can also assist you with booking your Kathmandu to Paro flight tickets.

2. Flights from New Delhi (DEL) to Paro (PBH)

There are one or two daily flights from New Delhi to Paro. Druk Air flights depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi and arrive at Paro Airport in Bhutan, with an average flight time of about 2 hours. The full ticket price for a one-way economy class ticket, including taxes, is around USD 338 per person.

3. Flights from Bangkok (BKK) to Paro (PBH)

There are several direct flights from Bangkok to Paro per week. The Druk Air flight departs from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok and arrives at Paro Airport in Bhutan, with a flight duration of about 3 hours and 15 minutes. The full ticket price for a one-way economy class ticket, including taxes, is around USD 590 per person. Please note that flight schedules are subject to change.

Option 2. You can Fly to Singapore and Then Fly to Bhutan

It is convenient to fly from the United States to Singapore, but there are only three flights per week from Singapore to Paro. The Royal Bhutan Airlines flight departs from Singapore Changi International Airport and arrives at Paro Airport in Bhutan. The flight time is about 6 hours and 10 minutes. The full ticket price for a one-way economy class including tax is USD 740 per person. Here's the flight schedule from SIN to PBH.

Option 3. Fly to India/Nepal and then travel to Bhutan by land

It is not possible to travel all the way from the United States to Bhutan overland. Therefore, you need to take a flight to Indian/Nepal, and then travel overland to Phuentsholing, which is the main border crossing point into Bhutan. But for most international travelers, flying remains the most convenient and commonly used option.

1. Fly to India and then Travel Overland to Bhutan

If you want to travel to Bhutan by land, the easiest way is to go to India first. There are two land ports in Bhutan, one is Phuntsholing in the southwest, bordering West Bengal State in India. The famous cities in West Bengal are Kolkata and Darjeeling, from which you can take a car to the border town Jaigaon, an Indian border town with Phuntsholing, Bhutan. However, please contact a Bhutan travel agency to get your Bhutan e-Visa clearance in advance. Otherwise, the Jaigaon border guard in India will not release the departure stamp.

Another land port is Samdrup Jongkhar in the southeast, bordering Assam State in India, which abounds in black tea. This is also the gateway to eastern Bhutan. Usually tourists can fly to Guwahati, the capital of Assam, and then travel overland for 3 hours to Samdrup Jongkhar.

2. Fly to Nepal and then Travel Overland to Bhutan

Alternatively, you can travel from the US to Nepal then go overland to Bhutan. There are no direct flights from the United States to Nepal, and most connecting flights are via Qatar, Abu Dhabi, or Istanbul. After your arrival in Kathmandu, you have multiple choices of border crossing points into India. So please ensure you have an Indian Tourist Visa prior to your visit to Bhutan by land through Nepal. Among all the border crossing points to India, the town of Kakarbhitta in eastern Nepal is the easiest and most popular. Through this crossing, you will enter the town of Panitanki in West Bengal, where you can take a direct train to Hasimala, close to the Bhutan border town of Phuentsholing.

Bhutan Visa & Permit Application for Americans

Whether you are going to Bhutan by plane or by land from India to Bhutan, you must apply for a Bhutan visa/permit in advance. In addition, a U.S. passport within its validity period is also a necessary document.

To obtain a Bhutan visa, you must pre-book a tour through a travel agency because you cannot apply for it on your own. After booking Bhutan tours, your travel agency will use your color-scanned passport copy to apply for a Bhutan e-Visa clearance on your behalf. The visa fee is US$40 per person. Bhutan e-Visa clearance can only be issued once you have made the full amount of the proposed trip, including the Visa Fee. Before you travel to Bhutan, your travel agency will email you a copy of Bhutan e-Visa clearance and forward the same copy of Bhutan e-Visa clearance to Bhutan’s airlines - Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. And you must print a copy of the Bhutan e-Visa clearance before checking in at the Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines counter. Once you arrive at Paro International Airport or any land border, you will also need to show the Bhutan e-Visa clearance and your passport, so that the customs officers can process and stamp your passport. Obtaining a visa stamp usually takes less than an hour, but during peak seasons, it may take longer.

Travel Cost from America to Bhutan

Bhutan follows a “High Value, Low Impact” tourism policy, and all international travelers (except for citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives) are required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).

Currently, the SDF is USD 200 per person per night. However, under the latest government incentive policy, travelers can enjoy a 50% discount, reducing the SDF to USD 100 per person per night until 2027.

Unlike the previous fixed daily package system, travelers can now plan their trips more flexibly. The total travel cost mainly includes:

• SDF (USD 100 per person per night, after discount)
• Accommodation (hotel standard of your choice)
• Guide and driver services (mandatory)
• Transportation and entrance fees
• Meals (depending on your package)

Additional Notes:

• Children under 5 are exempt from the SDF
• Children aged 6–12 enjoy a 50% discount on the SDF
• A one-time visa fee of USD 40 per person applies

Under this policy, the estimated travel cost is around USD 250 per person per night, based on two people sharing a 3-star hotel during the low season, while round-trip international airfare is approximately USD 2,000 per person.

Recommended Bhutan Travel Packages for USA Citizens

Since most of Bhutan's tourist highlights are concentrated in the west and central, the best recommended Bhutan travel packages for US citizens are 8 Days 7 Nights travel plan. Travelers can be able to explore the most iconic tourist attractions in Bhutan as well as Bumthang (Jakar), which is the most beautiful place in Bhutan. If your time is limited, you may consider the 6 Days 5 Nights travel package, which will take you to discover Bhutan's history and enjoy the natural landscape. And of course, the Himalayas are also the most fascinating scenery for trekking in this mountain country.

√ 8 Days In-depth Explore of Bhutan

√ 6 Days Glories of Bhutan

√ 9 Days Druk Path Trek