Planning to Travel to Bhutan?

Buddha Dordenma
Punakha Valley

Page updated – 20 December 2024

Essential planning for ex-UK & European Union travellers to Bhutan.

Aussies are Great Mates with our friends from UK & all of the European Union!

James & Nicola of Bhutan & Beyond are Aussies, and based in Australia. But we do assist travellers from all over the world to visit Bhutan!

We’re experts in Bhutan, and how to get there, and have been ably assisting ex-UK & European Union travellers experience the very best Bhutan has to offer for decades.

James holds 3 Guinness World Records for travelling to the most nations in a single journey (191) back in AUG02-MAR03. This is when he discovered Bhutan and fell in love with it immediately! The rest is history & in 2025 James and Nicola will make their 20th journey to the Kingdom.

Our Tour Options:

Whether it be our classic traditional Bhutanese private or small group tours; our trekking & adventure experiences or our range of luxury & wellness retreats, we can create the perfect Bhutan journey for you.

SMS OR EMAIL US & we can set up a whatsApp Chat at a convenient time. 

Bhutan Airlines A319 Jet

But how do we get to Bhutan from UK & European Union??

Now that’s easy!

  • Drukair & Bhutan Airlines are the ONLY two airlines that service Paro, Bhutan! They are both reputable carriers.
  • These two airlines offer services to Paro from hub cities Dubai, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka & Bagdogra.
  • Bhutan & Beyond MUST book these flights in/out of Paro in conjunction with your land tour arrangements.
  • Once we confirm your Paro flights & Bhutan land arrangements, you are now safe to book & purchase your ex-UK or European Union air ticket locally in your home country.
  • You will only need to arrange your ex-UK, Ireland or European Union air ticket as far as the hub city where you connect to your flight into Paro.
  • Bhutan & Beyond will handle everything from that hub city point on for you.
  • Once in your nearest hub city to Bhutan we will connect you to a Drukair or a Bhutan Airlines flight into Paro airport.

But how do we get to Bhutan from UK & European Union??

Now that’s easy!

  • Drukair & Bhutan Airlines are the ONLY two airlines that service Paro, Bhutan! They are both reputable carriers.
  • These two airlines offer services to Paro from hub cities Dubai, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka & Bagdogra.
  • Bhutan & Beyond MUST book these flights in/out of Paro in conjunction with your land tour arrangements.
  • Once we confirm your Paro flights & Bhutan land arrangements, you are now safe to book & purchase your ex-UK or European Union air ticket locally in your home country.
  • You will only need to arrange your ex-UK, Ireland or European Union air ticket as far as the hub city where you connect to your flight into Paro.
  • Bhutan & Beyond will handle everything from that hub city point on for you.
  • Once in your nearest hub city to Bhutan we will connect you to a Drukair or a Bhutan Airlines flight into Paro airport.

Your Fastest Route To Bhutan

Please note this information below. Flights may not be daily so please use this as a guide only. 

Drukair/Bhutan Airlines flight information:

  • You will fly on an Airbus A319/A320 jet to/from Paro. 
  • From Delhi the flights are usually daily to Paro and take approx 2 hours 20 minutes.
  • Ex-Kathmandu flights are also daily taking approx 1 hour 10 mins.
  • From Bangkok there are often twice daily services into Paro, taking 3+ hours.
  • Ex-Singapore there are usually 2 weekly services into Paro taking 5-6 hours.
  • Ex-Dubai there are usually 2-3 weekly services into Paro taking 4-5 hours.
  • An overnight stopover at your hub city is usually required en route to Paro but NOT always on the return journey.

From Ireland:

Flying from Dublin to either Dubai (UAE), Delhi (India) or Kathmandu (Nepal) is your fastest route although you will usually need to overnight in the hub city to safely connect to a Drukair or Bhutan Airlines flight to Paro, Bhutan.

Regular connections over London, Frankfurt or Dubai are your fastest options.

From UK:

Flying from the UK to either Dubai (UAE), Delhi (India) or Kathmandu (Nepal) is your fastest route although you will usually need to overnight in the hub city to safely connect to a Drukair or Bhutan Airlines flight to Paro, Bhutan.

From the UK there are direct flights to Dubai & Delhi with a number of carriers. 

From Rest of European Union:

Most direct is to fly to either Dubai (UAE), Delhi (India) or Kathmandu (Nepal) via your nearest major airport. 

You will usually need to overnight at the hub city of your choice to safely connect to a Drukair or Bhutan Airlines flight to Paro, Bhutan.

Drukair flight leaving for Bhutan
Drukair A319 Jet

Hot Tips for ex UK & European Union Travellers to Bhutan

STOPOVERS:

You will usually need to overnight, on your outbound journey, in either Dubai, Delhi or Kathmandu. Flights to Paro often depart very early in the morning (between 0400 and 0830) and staying at a good close airport hotel is recommended. 

VISAS:

A visa to enter Bhutan will be pre-arranged for you by Bhutan & Beyond.

Additional visas may be required for any stopover you make en-route to Bhutan. Please check with us for advice. This will almost certainly apply to stops in India and Nepal.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

It is essential for all travellers to Bhutan, including those from the UK & European Union, to hold a ‘comprehensive travel insurance policy’.

Comprehensive travel insurance includes cover for trip cancellation, baggage, travel delay, emergency evacuation & repatriation along with sickness, accident & personal liability. There should also be some cover against COVID-19 related incidents.

We recommend World Nomads travel insurance cover for our UK & European Union travellers, which you can purchase on-line in your home country direct. Please ensure you review the insurance inclusions carefully to ensure the cover offered is right for your needs. Click here for details. 

LANGUAGE IN BHUTAN:

English is the predominant international language spoken in Bhutan and it is recommended that tourist travellers have some knowledge of spoken & written english to enjoy a rewarding visit.