Quick answer
A 5-night Bhutan trip from India costs from about ₹45,000 per person by road via Bagdogra and Phuentsholing, ₹85,000 flying into Paro with 3★–4★ hotels, a private car and guide, and ₹3 lakh or more at luxury lodges. These figures are twin sharing and include flights and the ₹1,200-a-night Sustainable Development Fee that Indian nationals pay.
Bhutan at three budgets
Budget
Starting from
₹45,000
per person, twin sharing
Flights to Bagdogra, road via Phuentsholing, 3★ hotels with breakfast and dinner, vehicle and guide shared by a group, SDF.
Mid-range
Starting from
₹85,000
per person, twin sharing
Delhi–Paro flights, 3★–4★ hotels with breakfast and dinner, private car, licensed guide, SDF, entry fees.
Luxury
Starting from
₹3,00,000
per person, twin sharing
Luxury lodges in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, private guide, Paro flights, SDF.
Starting prices per person on twin sharing for 5 nights, reflecting typical market rates at the time of review. Peak dates (Diwali, Christmas–New Year, May–June school holidays) cost more. GST and TCS apply as per law on packages.
Where the money goes (mid-range, per person)
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights Delhi–Paro | ₹28,000–45,000 | — |
| Sustainable Development Fee | ₹6,000 | ₹1,200 per night for 5 nights; children aged 6–12 pay half |
| 3★–4★ hotels, 5 nights, breakfast and dinner | ₹22,000–35,000 | Per person, twin sharing |
| Private car and driver, 6 days | ₹14,000–20,000 | Per person when shared by two |
| Licensed guide, 6 days | ₹6,000–9,000 | Per person when shared by two |
| Entry fees, permits and a hot-stone bath | ₹2,500–5,000 | — |
| Lunches and snacks | ₹3,000–5,000 | — |
| Travel insurance | ₹500–1,000 | — |
Return flight fares from Indian cities
| From | Typical return economy fare |
|---|---|
| Delhi (to Paro) | ₹28,000–45,000 |
| Kolkata (to Paro) | ₹20,000–32,000 |
| Delhi (to Bagdogra, then road) | ₹9,000–16,000 |
| Mumbai (to Bagdogra, then road) | ₹12,000–22,000 |
| Bengaluru (to Bagdogra, then road) | ₹12,000–22,000 |
Booked 4–8 weeks ahead outside peak holidays. Last-minute and festive fares run higher.
How to spend less without ruining the trip
- Fly to Bagdogra and drive to Phuentsholing; it saves ₹15,000–25,000 per person on airfare compared with Paro.
- Travel in December–February or June–August for lower hotel rates; the SDF stays the same all year.
- Share the car and guide among four to six people — the biggest per-person saving.
- Book hotels on breakfast-and-dinner plans; restaurant dinners in Thimphu and Paro add up.
- Children aged five and under pay no SDF and those aged 6–12 pay half, so family trips cost less than they first appear.
- Book Paro flights early for March–April and October–November, when seats are limited.
- Carry Indian rupees in smaller notes; they are accepted at par with the ngultrum, so you avoid conversion costs.
How much does a Bhutan trip cost from India?
For Indian travellers, Bhutan costs far less than it does for most other foreigners, who pay USD 100 a night in Sustainable Development Fee. Indian nationals pay ₹1,200 per person per night, and everything else — hotels, car, guide — is priced in ngultrum, which is pegged to the rupee. The two big choices are whether to fly into Paro or drive in from Bagdogra, and what class of hotel to book.
The SDF for Indian nationals
| Traveller | SDF per night |
|---|---|
| Adult Indian national | ₹1,200 |
| Child aged 6–12 | ₹600 |
| Child aged five and under | Free |
The SDF is paid along with your entry permit, online or at the point of entry, and has been reported as fixed at this rate until August 2027. For a 5-night trip, an adult pays ₹6,000. Reports in 2026 also mention an SDF waiver for stays of up to 24 hours in border towns such as Phuentsholing; it does not change the cost of a normal tour.
Fly to Paro or drive from Bagdogra?
| Fly Delhi–Paro | Fly to Bagdogra, then road | |
|---|---|---|
| Return airfare | ₹28,000–45,000 | ₹9,000–16,000 |
| Extra days | None | One each way |
| Road time | 1.5 hours to Thimphu | About 4 hours to Phuentsholing, then 5–6 hours to Thimphu |
Paro saves time and suits seniors; the road is cheaper and suits groups and families with more days.
Hotels, car and guide
Visitors must stay in hotels or homestays certified by the Department of Tourism. A good 3★ hotel costs about ₹6,000–9,000 a night for a double with breakfast and dinner, and 4★ about ₹9,000–14,000. A car with driver costs ₹5,000–7,000 a day and a licensed guide ₹2,000–3,000 a day, both shared across your group. On most trips we plan, both are included throughout.
Money and TCS
Indian rupees are accepted at par, and RuPay cards and BHIM-UPI work at many hotels and larger shops. Carry smaller notes, as some shops hesitate over larger ones. TCS applies to overseas packages booked in India, Bhutan included, and is adjustable against your income tax.
Plan with the 6-day Bhutan itinerary, things to do in Bhutan and the best time to visit Bhutan. Permit documents are in the Bhutan visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SDF for Indians in Bhutan?
What is the cheapest way to visit Bhutan from India?
How much does a 6-day Bhutan trip cost for a couple?
Do I have to book through a tour operator for Bhutan?
Can I pay in Indian rupees in Bhutan?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
