Asia to Bhutan Flights: how to get to Bhutan from Nepal, India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar...by air?

One of the most spectacular tourist destinations in Asia, Bhutan has fast become a very popular location for environmental vacations, with its policy of Gross National Happiness and Environmental Tourism. As a location in South Asia, this unique destination is ideal for vacations from other countries in Asia, and a chance to experience the unique landscapes and cultures of the kingdom, and learn more about the national religion, which is Tibetan Buddhism.

Lying on the southern border of China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, and surrounded on the other three sides by the Indian States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, and Sikkim, this landlocked kingdom is one of the last true Himalayan Kingdoms, and is often considered as the last Shangri-La of the Himalayas. With its northern border lies along the range of the Eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with high mountains, rolling hills, and lush green valleys.

Direct Flights to Paro Bhutan in Asia

There are nine airports, in five countries across Asia, which have direct flights to Bhutan Paro International Airport, the only international airport in the kingdom. Flights run from Kathmandu in Nepal; Dhaka in Bangladesh; Bangkok in Thailand; Changi in Singapore; and Bagdogra, Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Gaya in India.

Direct flights to Bhutan from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Singapore on Map

Nepal to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Kathmandu (KTM) to Paro (PBH)

Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu is the main airport in the country, and lies around five kilometers from the downtown area of Kathmandu, Thamel District. Located around 404 kilometers from Paro, there are daily flights to Bhutan with Drukair and six flights per week with Bhutan Airlines. Drukair flights leave daily, departing at 2:30pm and arriving at 3:50pm. Bhutan Airlines flights run every day except on Mondays, and depart at 10:30am or 3:00pm, arriving in Paro at 11:55am or 4:15pm. Flights to Paro from Kathmandu take around 90 minutes, and cost from around US$230 per person.

Bangladesh to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Dhaka (DAC) to Paro (PBH)

The Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is the main airport in Bangladesh, and lies around 17 kilometers to the north of the city. The airport lies around 425 kilometers from Paro, and has three flights a week to Bhutan with Drukair. The flights to Paro from Dhaka depart on Monday, Friday, and Saturday, departing at 9:20am and arriving in Paro at 10:20am. The flights take around an hour and cost from US$ 230 per person for an economy one-way flight.

Singapore to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Singapore Changi (SIN) to Paro (PBH)

Singapore Changi International Airport is located 20km to the north of Downtown Singapore. At around 3,289 kilometers from Paro, flights to the kingdom take around two hours, including a 40-minute layover in Guwahati, India. Only two flights run per week, on Sunday and Thursday, departing at 6:30am and arriving at 10:30am. Flights are expensive, and cost around US$ 1,185 per person for an economy flight.

Thailand to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) to Paro (PBH)

Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is located in Samut Prakan, around 25 kilometers from the downtown area. Both Drukair and Bhutan Airlines run daily flights to Paro, with Bhutan Airlines flights departing at 6:30am and arriving at 9:55am, a 3 hour 25 minute flight including a 30-minute layover in Kolkata. Drukair flights depart at 5:15am or 1:10pm and arrive at 7:15am or 3:10pm and run direct, taking just two hours. The average cost of a one-way economy flight to Paro is around US$530 per person.

India to Bhutan Flight: how to fly to Bhutan from Indian Cities

India to Bhutan flights from New Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati and Gaya on Map

Flight from New Delhi to Bhutan
Indira Gandhi International Airport lies 16km southwest of New Delhi, and has daily flights from Drukair and three flights per week with Bhutan Airlines. Drukair flights depart at 11:55am and arrive at 3:50pm, with a 40-minute layover in Kathmandu and there is a non-stop flight on Monday that departs at 11:25am and arrives at 1:55pm. Bhutan Airlines flights run on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, departing at 8:30am and arriving at 11:35am, with a 50-minute layover in Kathmandu. Flights cost from US$338 per person, and take around 2 hours 30 minutes to make the 1,216-kilometer flight.

Flight from Kolkata to Bhutan
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport lies 17 kilometers from the city center of Kolkata. Bhutan Airlines runs flights on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, while Drukair runs flights from Monday to Saturday. Departures are at 8:15am, 9:05am, or 2:45pm, arriving at 9:55am, 10:45am, or 4:45pm. Flights cost from US$242 per person and take 1 hour 40 minutes to cover the 551 kilometers to Paro.

Flight from Bagdogra to Bhutan
Bagdogra International Airport is located 16 kilometers to the west of Siliguri. Only two flights per week run to Bhutan, with Drukair, which depart on Monday and Wednesday at 10:50am and arrive at 12:20pm. A 90-minute flight, this 151-kilometer trip costs just US$124 per person.

Flight from Guwahati to Bhutan
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is located 28 kilometers from Guwahati. Flights are run by Drukair on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, departing at 9:10am, 10:30am, or 12:00pm, and arriving at 10:30am, 11:20am, or 1:50pm. The flight takes 1 hour 20 minutes to cover the 270 kilometers to Paro, and costs from around US$ 140 per person.

Flight from Gaya to Bhutan
Bodhgaya Airport is located 5 kilometers southwest of the city, and Drukair flights to Paro run on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. It takes around 1 hour 40 minutes for the 536-kilometer flight, departing at 1:35pm and arriving at 3:15pm. Flights cost from around US$140 per person.

Connecting Flights to Paro Bhutan in Asia

While there are nine airports with a lot of direct flights to Bhutan, it is also possible to get connecting flights from other cities across Asia to get to Bhutan.

China to Bhutan Flight: how to fly to Bhutan from Chinese Cities

Flight from Lhasa to Bhutan
Lhasa International Airport lies in Gonggar County, to the southwest of the Tibetan Capital. With no direct flights to Bhutan, the best option is to get a flight from Lhasa to Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, which is one of the closest airports to Paro. Flights to Kathmandu run daily from Lhasa, a distance of 604 kilometers, and take around 90 minutes. Economy flights cost from around US$191 per person, depending on the season and run daily at 11:50am, arriving at 11:10am Kathmandu time.

Flight from Chengdu to Bhutan
For a connecting flight to Bhutan, the best option from Chengdu’s Shuangliu International Airport, which lies around 16 kilometers southwest the city center, is to fly first to Kathmandu. A trip of 1,847 kilometers, the daily flights to Nepal from Chengdu take around 3 hours 10 minutes and can cost as little as US$282.

Flight from Hong Kong to Bhutan
Hong Kong International Airport is located on Chek Lap Kok Island to the west of the city center. Flights to Bhutan are best taken through Bagdogra in India if you are concerned about cost. Flights to Bagdogra from Hong Kong run daily, and can cost from as little as US$181 to US$350 for an indirect flight. A 10-hour flight, the distance from Hong Kong to Bagdogra is 2,658 kilometers.

Flight from Taiwan to Bhutan
Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan is 40km from West Taipei. Flights to Bhutan are best taken through Bagdogra in India, as the flights are cheaper than to Kathmandu and run daily. The 13-hour flight to Bagdogra costs from US$235 per person and covers a distance of 3,321 kilometers.

Connecting flights from Asian countries to Bhtuan on Map

Japan to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Tokyo Haneda (HND) to Paro (PBH)

Haneda Airport in Tokyo lies just 14 kilometers from Tokyo Station in the city center. The best route to Bhutan is through Bagdogra in India, a trip of 4,933km which takes around 17-18 hours. Flights run daily through Hong Kong and cost as little as US$481 per person.

Philippines to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Manila (MNL) to Paro (PBH)

Located in Pasay City in the National Capital Region, Ninoy Aquino International Airport is a 30-minute drive from Manila City. The best option for Bhutan is flying through Kathmandu, a trip of 3,961 kilometers that takes around 14 hours. Daily flights run through Kuala Lumpur and cost from as little as US$244 per person.

Indonesia to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) to Paro (PBH)

Located around 20km northwest of central Jakarta, Soekarno–Hatta International Airport has daily flights to Kathmandu, the best option for getting to Bhutan from Indonesia. Flights on this 4,405-kilometer trip take around nine hours and cost from as little as US$131 per person.

Malaysia to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Paro (PBH)

Kuala Lumpur International Airport is 45 kilometers from the city center, and has daily flights to Kathmandu, the best option for getting to Bhutan. Flights take around 4 hours 45 minutes to cover the 3,275-kilometer distance, which can cost from as little as US$136 per person.

Myanmar to Bhutan Flight: how to fly from Yangon (RGN) to Paro (PBH)

Yangon International Airport, which lies around 15 kilometers to the north of central Yangon, is 1,645 kilometers from Kathmandu, which is the best route to get to Bhutan from Myanmar. Flights to Kathmandu take around 6-9 hours, and cost from US$196 to US$292 per person.

Travel Documents for Flying from Asian Countries to Paro Bhutan

Unless you are traveling from India as an Indian national, then you will need to have a passport and visa approval letter to get on the flight to Bhutan from the gateway city of your choice. Flights to the gateway cities require only your passport and proof of onward travel, and do not require a visa as long as you do not leave the airport and the connecting time is not longer than 24 hours.

Conclusion

Traveling to Bhutan from the countries across Asia is simple and inexpensive, with the best options for most flights outside the nine gateway cities is through either Kathmandu in Nepal or Bagdogra in India. With cheap and reliable flights, there is no reason not to take a vacation in the Land of the Thunder Dragon, one of the most amazing Himalayan countries. And this shows that there are few issues with getting to Bhutan from all across Asia.