Your questions
Bhutan travel FAQs
Essential information for regional travellers and international guests, from entry requirements and SDF to money, connectivity and arrival logistics.
Regional travellers
Travelling to Bhutan from India, Bangladesh or Maldives
Travellers from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives have specific entry arrangements when visiting Bhutan. The requirements differ from those applicable to most international visitors, particularly in relation to visas, permits and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
If you are planning a regional trip to Bhutan, understanding these requirements before departure can make your arrival and onward journey considerably smoother.
Passports, Visas & Entry Permits
Do travellers from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives need a visa?
Indian nationals do not require a standard tourist visa. They require a Bhutanese entry permit and may apply before travelling or at the point of entry.
Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals do require a visa. They can apply online before travelling, and the relevant process and Sustainable Development Fee can be completed through Bhutan’s official immigration system.
Applying before arrival is recommended because applications at border entry points can involve waiting times depending on the number of travellers arriving at the same time.
What documents can Indian nationals use to enter Bhutan?
Indian nationals may enter Bhutan using either:
- A valid Indian passport
- An original Indian Voter ID Card
For Indian nationals under 18, a passport or an original birth certificate may be used, and the child must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Travellers should ensure that their documents are valid and in good condition before beginning their journey.
Can I apply for my permit or visa before arriving in Bhutan?
Yes. Travellers from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives can arrange the relevant documentation before travelling.
Indian nationals can apply for their entry permit online or through an authorised tourism service provider. Bangladesh and Maldives nationals can apply for their visa through the official process.
We recommend completing the process in advance whenever possible to minimise waiting time at the border or airport.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
REGIONAL SDF
Nu. / INR 1,200
per person, per night for eligible regional travellers
What is the SDF for Indian nationals?
Indian nationals showing a valid Indian passport or Voter ID Card are subject to a Sustainable Development Fee of Nu. 1,200 (or the equivalent in Indian Rupees) per person, per night.
Children aged 6 to under 12 years receive a 50% concession and pay Nu. / INR 600 per night.
Children under 6 years are exempt from the SDF.
What is the SDF for travellers from Bangladesh and Maldives?
The SDF arrangements for Bangladesh and Maldives nationals are subject to the current incentives and eligibility rules announced by the Royal Government of Bhutan.
According to the current official Bhutan Travel information, the first 15,000 guests from Bangladesh are eligible for the concessional rate of USD 15 / Nu. 1,200 per person per day, or the equivalent in Indian Rupees.
Travellers should confirm their eligibility and the applicable rate at the time of booking, as government incentives and eligibility limits may change.
What is the 24-hour SDF waiver for border towns?
Bhutan provides an SDF waiver for tourists visiting designated border-town areas for up to 24 hours.
The designated border towns are:
- Phuentsholing
- Gelephu
- Samtse
- Samdrup Jongkhar
The waiver applies only when visitors remain within the designated zones of the respective border towns and do not travel beyond the applicable checkpoints.
Travellers who continue beyond the designated border-town zones become subject to the applicable SDF.
Which checkpoints mark the border-town waiver areas?
The current designated boundaries include:
Phuentsholing
Rinchending Checkpost
Gelephu
Aipoli Bridge
Samtse
Gurung Basti
Samdrup Jongkhar
Pinchinna Checkpost
Travelling beyond the applicable designated zone may trigger the SDF requirement.
Can I combine the 24-hour waiver with the regional SDF concession?
No. The official Bhutan Travel guidance states that the 24-hour border-town SDF waiver cannot be combined with other SDF incentives.
If your itinerary qualifies for the border-town waiver, the applicable rules for that waiver will determine whether the SDF is payable.
Mandatory Travel Requirements
Do I need a guide to travel around Bhutan?
Yes. A Department of Tourism-certified guide is required for tourists travelling around Bhutan.
Guides are particularly important for travellers entering through land borders and continuing beyond the designated border towns.
Bhutan no longer requires tourists to obtain a general route permit simply to travel between areas of the country, provided they are accompanied by a Department of Tourism-certified guide.
Can I rent a self-drive vehicle in Bhutan?
Bhutan does not offer conventional self-drive rental vehicles for tourists. Visitors can arrange transportation through a tourism service provider, including a vehicle with a local driver.
Travellers entering Bhutan with their own foreign-registered vehicle are subject to separate vehicle and transport requirements and should arrange the necessary permits before or at the appropriate entry point.
For a regional tour, arranging transportation through a licensed Bhutanese tourism service provider is the simplest option.
Do I need to stay in certified accommodation?
Tourists should stay at accommodation recognised and certified by the Department of Tourism.
Bhutan’s tourism system includes certified hotels and certified homestays. The official tourism services portal provides listings of registered tourism service providers and certified accommodation.
When planning your itinerary, your tour operator can help arrange accommodation that meets the applicable tourism requirements.
Do I need a route permit to travel around Bhutan?
Generally, tourists no longer need a route permit to move around Bhutan when accompanied by a Department of Tourism-certified guide.
Certain restricted or prohibited areas may have additional requirements. Special permits may also apply to activities such as entering certain national parks or restricted areas.
Money & currency
Cash, Cards & ATMs in Bhutan
Bhutan is increasingly convenient for card and digital payments, but carrying some physical cash remains useful, particularly when travelling outside the main towns.
What is the local currency?
The currency of Bhutan is the Ngultrum (Nu.). The Ngultrum is pegged at par with the Indian Rupee.
Can I use Indian Rupees in Bhutan?
Indian Rupees are commonly used in Bhutan, particularly in areas close to the Indian border and for everyday transactions.
Travellers should carry suitable denominations and confirm acceptance when making purchases, particularly in smaller businesses.
Can I use international credit or debit cards?
International cards such as Visa and Mastercard are accepted at many hotels, resorts, larger businesses and tourist establishments.
Smaller shops, local restaurants, markets and businesses in rural areas may still prefer or require cash.
We recommend carrying some cash as a backup even if you primarily intend to use cards.
Are ATMs available in Bhutan?
ATMs are available in major towns, including Thimphu and Paro, and are operated by Bhutanese banks.
International cards may be supported at participating ATMs, although availability and network connectivity can vary.
For travel through remote valleys and smaller communities, carrying sufficient physical cash is recommended.
Stay connected
SIM Cards, Mobile Data & Wi-Fi
Mobile connectivity is available across Bhutan’s main towns and valleys, while coverage and internet speeds can become more limited in remote mountain areas.
Will my international roaming SIM work in Bhutan?
International roaming availability depends entirely on your home mobile provider and plan.
Bhutan may not be included in standard international roaming packages, and roaming charges can be considerably higher than local mobile services.
Check with your mobile provider before departure to confirm Bhutan coverage and roaming rates.
How can I get a local Bhutanese SIM card?
Visitors can obtain local mobile services from Bhutanese telecommunications providers such as Bhutan Telecom (B-Mobile) and TashiCell.
Your Orion Bhutan Travel guide can assist you with obtaining a local tourist SIM or arranging connectivity after arrival, subject to the current requirements of the telecom provider.
What do I need to purchase a local SIM card?
SIM registration requirements can depend on the provider and current regulations. Travellers should have their passport and relevant travel documents available when purchasing a SIM.
Your guide can assist with the registration and activation process where required.
Is Wi-Fi available at hotels?
Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and tourist accommodations in Bhutan, particularly in major towns.
Internet speed and reliability can vary depending on the location. Remote valleys and rural areas may have slower or less consistent connectivity.
If reliable connectivity is important during your journey, a local SIM or mobile data plan can provide an additional option.
Arrival
Airport Arrival & Travel Logistics
Whether you arrive through Paro International Airport or one of Bhutan’s land entry points, our team will help make your arrival as smooth as possible.
What happens when I land at Paro International Airport?
After completing immigration, collecting your luggage and clearing customs, proceed through the airport terminal exit.
Your dedicated Orion Bhutan Travel guide and private driver will be waiting outside the terminal with a personalised sign displaying your name.
From the airport, your guide will assist you with your vehicle, luggage and onward journey according to your itinerary.
Do I need physical photographs for immigration?
Travellers should follow the current document requirements provided during their visa or permit application.
For travellers applying for an entry permit at a point of entry, Bhutan Travel advises that a passport-size photograph may be required.
We recommend carrying a small number of recent passport photographs as a practical backup, particularly for land-border arrivals.
What should I do if I arrive through a land border?
Bhutan has four official land entry points from India: Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samtse and Samdrup Jongkhar.
If you are continuing beyond the designated border-town areas, you should have your required permit or visa documentation and travel arrangements prepared in advance.
A Department of Tourism-certified guide is required for travel beyond the designated border-town areas.
Travel information notice: Bhutan’s immigration, tourism, Sustainable Development Fee and entry requirements may be updated by the Royal Government of Bhutan. Information on this page is provided as a general planning guide. Travellers should confirm the applicable requirements before departure.
Tailor-made, at no extra cost
Tailor your Bhutan journey
We can shape your Bhutan experience around your preferences, interests, travel style and schedule at no additional cost. Want more time for culture, nature, adventure or wellness, or simply a slower pace? Tell us, and we will plan the journey around you.