How to Reach Bhutan

Bhutan, since being a closed kingdom, remained pretty isolated from the outside world until the early 1960s, and through subsequent decades, Bhutan has slowly opened up for travelers by two major means-air or land.

Traveling to Bhutan by Air

Bhutan has international airlines flying in and out across the neighboring countries to ease the travel process for foreign travelers traveling to Bhutan. Not only can anyone travel to Bhutan, but also by way of some cities; for instance, Kathmandu in Nepal, Bangkok in Thailand, India, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and even Singapore. Paro International Airport is the only international entry point in Bhutan; thus, the aerial approach to the kingdom offers a much wider range of aerial Himalayan views.

Reaching Bhutan across the Borders

Phuentsholing is perhaps the most popular entry point for travelers coming in by road and is the border town situated southwest of Bhutan. Phuentsholing is approximately 170 km east of Bagdogra, or rather, the nearest airport in India to the landlocked little town. The scenic road trip from there on to Thimphu, the capital city, becomes the joy of each traveler. The 170 km journey normally turns out to be anywhere from six hours since the buses meander through winding mountain roads, allowing the passengers an inner feeling of enjoying Bhutan, with its full slopes and culture along the way.

Whether you reach Bhutan by land, sea, or air, it is an entry into a new world that will stay with you all through life. These modes of transport add different perspectives. One gets to see increasingly beautiful views of the intriguing Himalayas, while by land entry, one gets a gradual immersion in the serene yet vibrant culture of Bhutan.