Frequently Asked Questions

There are 19 languages spoken in Bhutan, but the national language is Dzongkha. English is used throughout Bhutan’s education system, so it is widely used and understood.

Bhutan’s currency is called ngultrum. It’s 1:1 with Indian rupees.

Three different electrical plugs are used throughout Bhutan: The British plug (three square pins, compatible with type G sockets), the European plug (two round pins, compatible with type C socket) and the Indian plug (three thick round pins, compatible with type D sockets). It’s a good idea to bring adaptors for all three.

Visitors of all nationalities, except those from India, require a visa (Visa) before entering Bhutan. For all visitors, except those from Bangladesh and the Maldives, this visa must be applied for and approved in advance of travel. Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives also require a visa, but this can be applied for and approved either in advance of travel or upon arrival in Bhutan.  Visitors from India are able to apply for a permit but are required to hold an Indian passport or an Indian voter ID card. For Indian nationals under the age of 18, a passport or a birth certificate can be used to enter and they must be accompanied by a legal guardian. Nationals from Switzerland and Thailand holding diplomatic or government-official passports are eligible for a visa at their port of entry.

You can apply online for a visa here (https://immi.gov.bt/home), or if you’re travelling with a tour operator, they may apply on your behalf. Read more about the visa here (Visa).  Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives requiring a visa can apply either online (https://immi.gov.bt/home) before travelling or in person upon arrival in Bhutan.

Before travelling, visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives can apply for a permit (Indian nationals) or visa (Bangladeshi or Maldivian nationals) here (Visa). You may also apply at the point of entry, but please be aware that there may be a long wait depending on the number of applicants at the time. We recommend arranging your permit/visa beforehand.

A correctly input visa application can take up to five days to process.

There is a one-off fee of US$40 for the processing of your application. This is payable at the same time as your Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), as part of the process of submitting your visa application.

The visa allows you to remain in Bhutan for a maximum of 90 days from the date of entry.

Yes, provided the extension is applied for before the original visa or permit expires.  Visitors can extend their stay via the online visa application portal (https://visit.doi.gov.bt), using the same log-in details that were used to process their original visa.  The fees for processing your extension application, and daily SDF for the duration of your extended stay will be payable via the same portal.

Yes, it is possible to use your credit card to pay for your visa and SDF online. However, we strongly recommend that you notify your bank prior to making the credit card transaction to ensure that the payment is processed successfully.  If they are not informed in advance, sometimes international banks will block online payments to Bhutan as part of the bank’s online security measures.

No. The requirement for mandatory travel insurance was lifted on April 23, 2024. However, it is strongly recommended that all guests to Bhutan have travel insurance before visiting the Kingdom as a precaution in case of unforeseen situations.

There is a charge of Nu. 4,500 per car, per day. A guide is also mandatory and will be at an additional charge. If guests want to bring their own car, the cars must meet the requirements of Bhutan's Roads Safety and Transport Authority, and must also have a valid driver's license, insurance documentation, pollution control documentation, an entry permit, and a vehicle in reasonable condition. A valid Indian driver's license is accepted for self-driving within Bhutan. The same fees and rules apply for motorbikes. In case the vehicle is not owned by the guests travelling to Bhutan, an authorization letter is required. For more information on this subject please contact our team - tenzoltravel@gmail.com

Our team (link email) is also on hand to help provide you with information as you plan your journey.

The country has one international airport located in Paro. Flights operated by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines arrive and depart from destinations including Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodhgaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati and Singapore. Private jets or charters can fly into Bhutan after obtaining the relevant approvals.  There are also domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan.

Although we recommend all visitors stay up to date with vaccinations against covid-19 to help stop the spread of the disease, there are now no covid-19 vaccination requirements for adults or children to enter Bhutan from September 23rd 2022. There is no quarantine requirement either. No random covid-19 testing will be undertaken at any port of entry into Bhutan; however, this may be done if a guest is showing symptoms or asks for a test. If a guest tests positive for covid-19 during their stay in Bhutan, they will be admitted entry into the country without any quarantine period, however will be required to wear a face mask at all times and maintain other precautionary measures until they test negative again. There will be no covid-19 protocols to leave Bhutan, unless the country the guest is travelling to requires them.

The most convenient way to travel in Bhutan is to hire a vehicle and driver from a car rental company or contact us. It is not possible to hire a self-drive vehicle in Bhutan. Your hotel may also be able to provide or arrange transport for you.  Domestic flights are often the fastest way to travel longer distances within Bhutan. Domestic airports operate flights to and from Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan. For special itineraries, helicopter services can be arranged. For more information about helicopter services, get in contact with our team.

Bhutan offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxurious five-star hotels to cosy homestays in traditional village settings. Please contact our team for more accommodation information.

You may only stay in accommodation or campsites approved by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Bhutan is a very safe place to visit, even if you’re travelling alone. There is very little crime experienced by locals or visitors, although we advise you to take care of yourself and your belongings. In some areas you may encounter stray dogs – please be cautious around them as they are not domesticated. They normally keep their distance, but please stay away from them as much as possible, especially if travelling with children. Please don’t feed or pat these or any other wild animals. Bhutan’s physical environment presents occasional safety hazards, including flooding and landslides. From June to September the monsoons can affect transport and services.

Yes – Bhutan's Department of Tourism has a dedicated visitor Centre at Paro International Airport. Others may be found at the four border entry points.

You can change your local currency for ngultrum upon arrival at Paro International Airport or at banks, larger hotels and authorized currency exchange businesses in Thimphu.

You may bring cash equivalent to US$10,000 into the country.

ATM and banks accept Visa and Mastercard. International credit cards are widely used in urban areas of Bhutan. However, this service may not be available in other parts of the country. Visitors can download the digital wallet app goBoB launched by the Bank of Bhutan, which can be used with a local SIM card and is widely accepted throughout the country.  Another option is the MyPay digtal wallet app launched by Bhutan National Bank. Both apps can be connected to international credit cards and used widely. Cash in US dollars and Indian rupees is also widely accepted. We advise bringing some cash in either of these currencies, or in Bhutanese ngultrum.

Most hotels have Wi-Fi in Bhutan, but we recommend obtaining a guest SIM card for more convenient access to data and a more reliable internet connection. Mobile data in Bhutan can also be expensive. You can find the B Mobile SIM in mobile stores in larger cities, which you can easily top up using the Bank of Bhutan app  goBoB . This app also facilitates other payments within the country.

SIM cards can be purchased from the Paro International Airport’s visitor information Centre on arrival, or from branch offices of Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell, or from authorized agents in towns.

There are no rules about what visitors should wear. However, if you are planning to visit places of religious significance, respectful smart-casual clothing that covers your body from shoulders to knees is appropriate and appreciated.

Yes, a guide is required to enter monuments and Dzongs in Bhutan. While some of the monuments and Dzongs have no entry fee, others have a fee on arrival, which can be paid in cash or via the GoBob app.

Keeping important antiques and artefacts in Bhutan is a key part of how we preserve our heritage for future generations. We have a law that sets out which artistic, historic, cultural, religious, social, archaeological and technical objects you may not take with you when you leave. To ensure any items you acquire comply with the law, you will need an Export Permit for Non-Antique Artefacts. Find out more about the permit and how to apply for one here.( https://mocp.doc.gov.bt).

You can get in touch with us at +975 17129685 or email at tenzoltravel@gmail.com. If you require one of the emergency services, please telephone 110 for fire, 112 for an ambulance or 113 for police.

A permit, which must be applied for in advance, is required to fly a drone either recreationally or commercially in Bhutan. Please email to tenzoltravel@gmail.com to find out more about the regulations.

Yes. A guide is required at all times for all guests who drive their own cars to Bhutan. It is highly recommended to pre-book guides before arriving at the borders. If you need help with arranging a guide, please contact our team here.

Route Permits are no longer required to move around Bhutan. However, anyone on a business visa or for an official purpose is required to have a Route Permit.

Yes, permits are required to enter National Parks in Bhutan. However, the process can be done online and the permit should be issued quickly. Please contact us at + 975 17129685