- Every visitor pays a daily Sustainable Development Fee on top of travel costs
- Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly into Paro, from hubs such as Delhi, Kathmandu and Bangkok
- Spring and autumn bring clear mountain views and festivals
- Allow at least a week to see Paro, Thimphu and Punakha
- Airports
- Paro International (PBH)
- Flight time
- about 13-16h from London to Paro, with one or two stops
- Best time to go
- March-May and late September-November
- Currency
- Bhutanese ngultrum (Nu)
Bhutan is unlike anywhere else in the Himalaya. The kingdom has kept a tight grip on tourism, so there are no traffic lights, few crowds and a landscape of pine forests, prayer flags and whitewashed dzongs that still function as monasteries and government offices. Most trips centre on the western valleys, crowned by the hike to Paro Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest monastery clinging to a cliff.
Bhutan is six hours ahead of the UK in winter (five during British Summer Time). Plugs are a mix of types C, D, F and G, so a universal adaptor helps. Traffic drives on the left. It is not a cheap destination, but the fee funds free healthcare, education and conservation. This Asia guide covers where to go, when and what it costs in 2026.
Entry requirements
British passport holders need a visa, which is applied for online through Bhutan's Department of Immigration or arranged by a licensed tour operator, and must be approved before you fly. You also pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), currently US$100 per adult per night, with reductions for children; this rate is set to apply until 2027. Independent travel is now allowed, but a licensed guide is usually required outside Thimphu and Paro. Your passport should be valid for at least six months. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Bhutan
Paro
Paro is home to the only international airport and the country's most famous sight. The hike up to Tiger's Nest takes about two to three hours each way and climbs roughly 500 m, best done on your last day once you have acclimatised. The valley also has the imposing Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum and farmhouse stays.
Thimphu
The capital is small and relaxed, with the Buddha Dordenma statue overlooking the city, the Tashichho Dzong, a weekend market and craft schools. It is the one capital in the world without traffic lights; a policeman directs traffic at the main junction.
Punakha
A drive over the 3,100 m Dochula Pass, with its 108 memorial chortens and Himalayan views on clear days, leads down to Punakha. Its dzong, at the meeting of two rivers, is arguably the most beautiful in Bhutan, especially when the jacaranda blooms in spring. Rafting and walks to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, are popular.
Phobjikha Valley
This glacial valley is the winter home of rare black-necked cranes, which arrive around late October and leave in February. Gangtey Monastery overlooks the valley.
Bumthang
Central Bhutan's spiritual heartland, with ancient temples, cheese and honey producers and fewer visitors. It is a long drive or a short domestic flight away.
Best time to visit Bhutan
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) | Rhododendrons in bloom, mild days, Paro festival (tsechu) |
| Summer (June-August) | Monsoon rain, cloud and leeches on trails; lower crowds |
| Autumn (September-November) | Clear skies, best mountain views, Thimphu festival; busiest |
| Winter (December-February) | Cold nights but sunny days; cranes in Phobjikha |
Getting to Bhutan from the UK
There are no direct flights. Fly to Delhi, Kathmandu or Bangkok, then connect with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines to Paro; Kolkata, Singapore and a few other cities also have links. The landing at Paro, between steep mountains, is famously dramatic, and the views of Everest on the Kathmandu route are spectacular. Allow a buffer day, as weather can delay flights. Overland entry from India via Phuentsholing is also possible.
Getting around
Most visitors travel with a private driver and guide, often included in a tour package. Roads are narrow and winding, so journeys take longer than distances suggest; Paro to Punakha is about four hours. Domestic flights serve Bumthang and the east.
Money and costs
On top of the SDF, expect to pay roughly US$150-300 per person per day for a mid-range package with a three-star hotel, guide, driver and meals, and far more for luxury lodges. The ngultrum is pegged to the Indian rupee. Cards work in larger hotels, but carry cash for markets and tips.
Book flights to Paro early for the spring and autumn festivals, as seats on the small number of flights sell out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a week in Bhutan cost?
Including the SDF, a mid-range week usually costs somewhere around £1,800-3,000 per person before international flights, depending on hotels and group size.
Do you need a guide in Bhutan?
Usually, yes, outside Thimphu and Paro. Most visitors book through a licensed operator that arranges the guide, driver, visa and SDF together.
Is the Tiger's Nest hike hard?
It is a steady uphill walk at altitude, taking about four to six hours return. Most reasonably fit people manage it; ponies can carry you part of the way up.
Will I get altitude sickness in Bhutan?
Paro and Thimphu sit at about 2,200-2,400 m, so you may feel breathless at first. Take it easy on day one and save strenuous hikes for later.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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