Flights to Bhutan: Airlines, Routes & Everything You Need to Know

Bhutan has one international airport — Paro International Airport (IATA: PBH), elevation 2,235m, runway 1,900m. Two airlines operate scheduled international flights to Paro: Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines, the national carrier) and Bhutan Airlines (Tashi Air Private Limited, a private carrier). Drukair is by far the larger operator and the one most visitors will use. Due to the airport's demanding approach — a sharp visual descent through a narrow mountain valley with peaks up to 5,400m on either side — only a small number of specially certified pilots worldwide are qualified to land here. No other airlines are currently authorised to operate scheduled service to Paro.

Druk Air — International Destinations (10)

Druk Air — Domestic Destinations (3)

Bhutan Airlines — International Destinations (4)

Connecting Through Major Hubs

Most international travellers reach Bhutan by connecting through Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, or Singapore. Bangkok and Delhi are the most popular entry points with the most frequent Paro connections. From Europe and the Americas, the typical routing is via Bangkok (any major carrier to BKK, then Drukair or Bhutan Airlines to Paro) or via Delhi (any major carrier to DEL, then onward to Paro). Drukair's codeshare with Turkish Airlines opens onward connections through Istanbul, and the codeshare with Thai Airways covers Bangkok connections more seamlessly.

Because only two airlines fly to Paro, you will always connect through one of the established hub cities below. Flights are generally short to moderate — the longest direct sector is Singapore–Paro at around 4 hours 10 minutes. Here are typical flight durations from each city to Paro (PBH):

Flights to Bhutan from India

India has the most convenient access to Bhutan by far. Both Drukair and Bhutan Airlines operate daily flights from Delhi (DEL) and Kolkata (CCU), which are the two main departure points for Indian travellers. Drukair also serves Guwahati (GAU) three times weekly (useful for northeast India travellers), Bagdogra (IXB) twice weekly (convenient for Siliguri, Darjeeling, and Sikkim regions), and Bodh Gaya (GAY) seasonally December–February. Indian nationals who prefer not to fly can also enter overland through Phuentsholing — see the land entry section below.

Flights to Bhutan from Europe & the UK

There are no direct flights from Europe to Bhutan. The two most efficient routes are: via Bangkok (BKK) — fly from any major European hub to Bangkok on Thai Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, or similar, then connect onto Drukair or Bhutan Airlines to Paro. Drukair's codeshare with Thai Airways makes Bangkok the smoothest connection. Alternatively, connect via Delhi (DEL) — most European carriers fly direct to Delhi, and both airlines have daily Paro departures from there. Total travel time from London or Europe is typically 14–18 hours including connection time.

Flights to Bhutan from the USA

There are no direct flights from the United States to Bhutan. US travellers typically route via Bangkok (BKK) or via Singapore (SIN). From the US West Coast, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, and several carriers offer good connections to both Bangkok and Singapore, with onward Drukair service to Paro. From the US East Coast, routing via Dubai (Emirates to DXB, then Drukair to Paro twice weekly) or via Delhi is also practical. Total travel time from the US is typically 20–28 hours including connections.

Flights to Bhutan from Australia

Australian travellers have good access via Bangkok — Qantas, Thai Airways, and several other carriers fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Bangkok, with onward Drukair connections to Paro. Singapore is another practical hub, with Singapore Airlines flying from most Australian cities. From Perth, the Dubai routing via Drukair twice weekly is worth considering. Total travel time from Sydney or Melbourne is typically 12–16 hours including connections.

Flights to Bhutan from Southeast Asia

Bangkok is the main Southeast Asian hub for Bhutan, with daily Drukair flights and regular Bhutan Airlines service. If you're travelling from elsewhere in Southeast Asia — Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City — the easiest routing is to connect through Bangkok rather than Delhi. Singapore has direct twice-weekly Drukair service which is a good option for travellers based there. Flight time from Bangkok to Paro is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.

Book as early as possible — Paro has limited seat capacity and peak season flights (March–May, September–November) fill months ahead. For festival travel in particular (Paro Tshechu, Thimphu Tshechu), 3–6 months lead time is strongly recommended. Off-season flights (June–August, December–February) are easier to book but route options may narrow. Both airlines allow direct online booking through their official websites. Licensed Bhutanese tour operators can also book Drukair tickets on your behalf as part of a full tour package.

Because only two airlines serve Paro, fares are not as competitive as on busier routes. Prices fluctuate with season and lead time — book early for the best fares. The table below shows typical return (round-trip) economy fare ranges from key cities. Fares last verified: June 2025.

Paro Airport sits at 2,235m in a narrow valley carved by the Paro Chhu river, surrounded by peaks reaching 5,400m. The runway is just 1,900m long. To land here, pilots must make a sharp visual turn through the valley at low altitude, lining up with the runway only in the final moments of descent. Instrument approaches are limited — most landings are visual only and are not permitted after dark or in poor visibility. This makes Paro one of the most technically demanding airports in the world to operate.

Is it safe? Yes — the airport has an excellent safety record. The demanding approach is the reason only a small number of specially certified pilots worldwide are cleared to fly into Paro. Both Drukair and Bhutan Airlines train their own crews specifically for this approach, and certification requires extensive simulator and in-person assessment. The strict pilot certification system is precisely what makes the airport safe despite its challenging geography.

That said, the airport can close at short notice due to weather. Fog, low cloud, or strong winds can prevent landing even when conditions appear fine elsewhere. If you are travelling on a tight connection, build buffer time into your itinerary and avoid same-day international connections through Delhi or Bangkok. A missed Paro approach means your flight will divert — usually to Kolkata or Bagdogra — and you will need to re-book the Paro sector, which can take a day or more during peak season.

For passengers, the approach is one of the most spectacular in commercial aviation. The aircraft descends through the valley with monastery-topped ridges visible through the windows at eye level, before the runway appears almost at the last moment. Even frequent flyers consistently describe it as a highlight of the journey.

Both airlines are safe, competent, and licensed to fly to Paro. The choice mostly comes down to route availability and price. Here is how they compare:

The key document for check-in is your Bhutan e-visa — your tour operator will provide this in advance. Present it at check-in along with your passport. At Paro Airport, your visa is stamped in your passport at the immigration counter. Indian nationals present their entry permit instead. Keep a digital copy of your visa and passport accessible throughout your journey.

Drukair and Bhutan Airlines both require check-in at least 90 minutes before departure for international flights. Domestic flights: 45 minutes. Both airlines are strict about this — the small airports and manual processes mean late check-ins are not accommodated. Arrive early, especially at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi where Drukair and Bhutan Airlines depart from a dedicated terminal area.

Drukair Helicopter Services was established as a State-Owned Enterprise on July 9, 2015. Services include search and rescue, air medical evacuations, firefighting, cargo transportation, VIP transport, and tourism. Three signature tour packages are available:

Bhutan has four official land entry points from India. Phuentsholing (West Bengal border) is the main land entry and the most commonly used — it is the gateway for most overland travellers from India and connects directly to Thimphu by road (4–5 hours). Gelephu (Assam border) and Samdrup Jongkhar (Assam border) are used primarily for eastern Bhutan itineraries. Samtse (West Bengal border) is a minor crossing used mainly by local traffic and is not a practical option for tourist itineraries. You can enter in an Indian-registered vehicle or in a Bhutanese vehicle arranged by your tour operator. All entry points require a valid permit or visa arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator in advance.