1. Is there an annual quota on the number of visitors entering Bhutan?
There is no quota on the number of visitors to Bhutan. However, the number of visitors are limited by the capacities of the airplanes serving the routes.
Currently, there are direct flights to Bhutan from Singapore, Bangkok (Thailand), Kathmandu (Nepal), Bangladesh and New Delhi, Kolkata, Gaya, Bagdogra, Guwahati (India).
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Drukair has daily flights from Bangkok to Paro International Airport, Bhutan daily.
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Drukair flies from Singapore to Paro International Airport, twice a week.
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Drukair has daily flights from Kathmandu, Nepal to Paro International Airport.
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Drukair flies from Bangladesh, Dhaka to Paro International, thrice a week.
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Drukair has daily flights from New Delhi, Kolkata, Gaya, Bagdogra, Guwahati in India to Bhutan.
Find out more information on:-
Travelling to Bhutan from Singapore
Travelling to Bhutan from Bangkok, Thailand
Travelling to Bhutan from Kathmandu, Nepal
Travelling to Bhutan from Australia
2. How much is the daily tariff and Sustainable Development Fees (SDF) to Bhutan?
High Season: March, April, May, September, October, and November
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$250 per person per night, for a group of three or more people.
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$280 per person per night, for a group of two people.
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$290 per night for single individuals.
Low Season: January, February, June, July, August, and December
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$200 per person per night, for a group of three or more people.
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$230 per person per night, for a group of two people.
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$240 per day for single individuals.
3. How much is a visa application to Bhutan?
All visitors require a visa before travelling to Bhutan (except those from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives, for whom the relevant processes and fees are outlined separately below).
A non-refundable, one-off visa application fee of US$40 is also payable.
You can apply online for a visa by completing an application form, or if you’re travelling with a tour operator or staying at a hotel, they can apply on your behalf.
You can apply for yourself and anyone you’re travelling with, provided you have the required information for each person travelling.
To apply for a visa online you will need:
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A digital copy of a valid passport
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A recent digital passport photo
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Arrival and departure dates
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Valid travel insurance for the duration of your travel
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Payment details
For more information, check out Bhutan Visa Application Procedure page.
4. I’ve paid for my tour package. How long does it take to process my visa to Bhutan?
You should expect to get your visa only between 14 to 5 days prior to your departure. Your tour operator will email you a copy of the approved visa. Remember to print out a copy of your visa so that you can present it at the Druk Air Check-in counter and also at immigration point when you arrive in Bhutan.
If you book your trip with Druk Asia, you’ll be given a set of traditional costumes (gho and kira) where you can return at the end of your trip. A free SIM card will also be prepared for you.
5. How is the mobile and internet connection in Bhutan?
Mobile or internet connectivity is good in bigger towns like Thimphu, Paro, Trongsa and Bumthang. If you are travelling on the road between valleys, the network might not be as stable. Most hotels in Bhutan have free wifi but the connection might be unstable depending on the number of users. It is better to get a SIM card and purchase a data plan should you intend to use the internet regularly.
6. What if there’s a change of schedule for Druk Air flight? Or when the flight is delayed?
For passengers heading to Bhutan, Druk Air will ensure that you get on the next available flight to Paro International Airport. For passengers who missed their flight due to late check-in, passengers can pay Druk Air an admin charge of US$50 to get on the next available flight.
For travellers returning from Bhutan, Druk Air staff at Paro will assist you with all arrangements due to the flight delay. Staff of Druk Air will also attempt to contact your connecting flight airline to inform them of a delay. Should you not be able to take your connecting flight on the same day, Druk Air will try to assist you to arrange for your accommodation.
Any other fees and charges incurred will typically have to be borne by the travellers.
Travellers are advised to acquire their own travel insurance. For more information, please refer to Druk Air’s cancellation and change of schedule policy.
7. If I have a connecting flight to Bhutan, will my luggage arrive directly in Bhutan from my country of departure?
Your luggage will not be directly checked through to Bhutan. If you have a layover, you are required to retrieve your luggage from the country that you are transiting in and check-in again to your Druk Air flight as Druk Air currently has limited interline agreement with other airlines.
8. What’s the cancellation policy for travel to Bhutan?
This is the cancellation charges for your tour packages, (for the land cost)
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More than 45 days before the start of the programme, USD 140 flat rate per person.
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Between 21 - 30 days ~ 35% of rate
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Between 8 - 20 days ~ 50% of rate
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Between 4 - 7 days ~ 75% of rate
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Between 3 days or lesser ~ 100%
Please see below for the Drukair Ticket Cancellation policy
9. Is altitude sickness common in Bhutan?
Altitude sickness is not common with visitors to Bhutan except for the very few cases. The first two days should get you acclimatised as most of the tour places have an altitude below 3000m.
If you are intending to go for trekking (which will be above 3000m), it is always good to set a reasonable pace, avoid overexertion, and keep yourself hydrated. Consult with your healthcare provider if taking acclimatisation medication is appropriate for you.
10. Is tipping expected in Bhutan?
Tipping in Bhutan is not compulsory and it’s not part of the Bhutanese culture. The tipping of your guide, driver and trek crew is purely a personal matter. Feel free to tip the guide or driver at the end of your trip should you wish to as they have been spending a significant amount of time accompanying you throughout your trip.
11. Can I get a specific guide who speaks foreign language in Bhutan?
Guide for the following languages are available: Chinese, Spanish, Portugese, Korean or Japanese. However, there will be an additional charge of USD150 per day. Please speak to your travel consultant should you require a guide who speaks those languages.
12. Are there any halal food in Bhutan?
There are currently no halal certified restaurants in Bhutan. However, the meat in Le Meridien Thimphu and Le Meridien Paro are halal certified. Additional charges apply if you’ll like to dine there. You will be able to find eateries that do not serve pork or lard. There are also many eateries that are vegetarian or vegan friendly.
13. What is Bhutan’s local currency and how much should I bring for the trip?
Bhutan's currency is the Ngultrum (BTN). The Ngultrum is on par with the Indian rupee.
As your accommodation, transport and meals will be covered throughout your trip, you are only required to bring extra money if you wish to purchase any items or dine at other restaurants outside of your itinerary. Hence, expenditure varies from person to person.
For more information on the Ngultrum, please check out https://www.drukasia.com/news/latest/all-you-need-to-know-about-bhutanese-currency/.
14. Can I withdraw money from Bhutan’s ATM?
You may not be able to withdraw any money from the local ATMs. It is advisable for you to bring along cash for out of pocket expenses.
15. Can I make payment by credit card in Bhutan?
Credit cards are not commonly accepted in Bhutan yet. It is still advisable that you bring along cash for payment. Most places might accept payment in major foreign currencies.
16. Can I do foreign currency exchange in Bhutan?
Yes, aside from the airport, you can also exchange for the Bhutanese currency (Ngultrum) at Bank of Bhutan in Thimphu and Paro. However, they only accept 10 major currencies: U.S. Dollar, Pound Sterling, Euro, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Hong Kong Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Danish Kroner, Australian Dollar and Singapore Dollars.
The exchange rate varies according to your currency denomination. We will encourage you to bring larger denominations for the exchange.
Please check out https://www.drukasia.com/news/latest/all-you-need-to-know-about-bhutanese-currency/ for the daily exchange rate.
17. What can I buy from Bhutan?
Thimphu and Paro are the best places to quench your shopping thirst. You will be able to find exquisite traditional costumes, kiras and ghos, colourful masks, prayer flags, handwoven textiles, stoles, thangkas (Buddhist paintings) and traditional handicrafts in most of the shops. You can also buy popular products such as honey, cordyceps, yak cheese, lemongrass spray or get yourself a personalised postal stamp from the Bhutan Post in Thimphu!
Check out https://www.bhutannatural.com/resource/what-to-buy-in-bhutan/ for more information on what you can buy in Bhutan.
18. Where can I go shopping in Bhutan?
For souvenirs and high quality crafts by local artisans, you may wish to check out The Craft Gallery located opposite to Bhutan Development Bank Limited (BDBL) behind the Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC) in Thimphu. The Craft Gallery is an initiative by Her Majesty the Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck to promote and preserve Bhutanese arts and crafts. By purchasing the handicrafts there, you are also helping to generate income for the local artisans and support the sustainability in preserving the Bhutanese crafts. Check out https://www.bhutancrafts.com/ for the product list at The Craft Gallery.
You can also find many shops and eateries along Norzin Lam street in Thimphu. Paro town is also a place that is popular for shopping.
19. Who are Druk Asia’s Customers?
Druk Asia has been serving clients from all over the world. Some of our clients are from Russia, United States of America, United Kingdom, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines and more.
Besides working directly with the customers, Druk Asia also works with other travel agencies to assist them with their trip arrangement as we are the only representative of Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) in Singapore.
Do check out our testimonial page to read the reviews from our cherished travellers.
20. Why should I travel to Bhutan with Druk Asia?
Druk Asia is one of the pioneer Bhutan travel agencies and the largest tour operator in the Kingdom. We’ve the experience of serving customers from different creeds and cultures and forged wonderful memories with all our guests. Click here to find out why you should choose Druk Asia as your tour operator to Bhutan.
