Kolkata is one of the easiest Indian cities to start a Bhutan trip from. You can fly direct to Paro, or travel north by air or overnight train to the foothills and cross the border at Phuentsholing by road. Many families from Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal choose the road route because it is flexible, works well for groups and lets you see the change from the plains to the mountains along the way.
We are a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, and we plan tailor-made trips rather than fixed packages. That means no package prices on this page. Instead, you will find the main routes from Kolkata, the documents you need, a sample itinerary and how to estimate your budget. When you are ready, tell us your dates and we send a written quote.
How to get from Kolkata to Bhutan
Option 1: Fly Kolkata to Paro
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines both operate flights between Kolkata and Paro. It is the quickest way in, and the approach into the Paro valley is a memorable start to a trip. Schedules change by season, so check the current timetable before fixing your dates, and remember that flights into Paro depend on visibility. Your guide and driver meet you at the airport, and you get your entry permit on arrival. Our guide to flying to Bhutan from India explains booking and baggage.
Option 2: Fly or take the train to Bagdogra or NJP, then drive
Plenty of flights connect Kolkata with Bagdogra, and overnight trains run to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) near Siliguri. From there it is about 165 km by road to the border town of Jaigaon and Phuentsholing, which takes around four and a half to five hours. We can meet you at Bagdogra airport or NJP station with a car and driver; see Bagdogra to Bhutan car hire. After entry formalities in Phuentsholing, the drive up to Thimphu takes another five to six hours, so most people spend a night in Phuentsholing first.
Option 3: Train to Hasimara
Some trains from Kolkata stop at Hasimara station near the border. From there, Jaigaon and Phuentsholing are about half an hour's drive away. Check the current train timetable, and tell us your arrival time so we can arrange a pickup.
Crossing at Phuentsholing
Phuentsholing sits right across the border from Jaigaon, and the contrast between the two towns is striking. Indian travellers apply for the entry permit at the immigration office in Phuentsholing. Allow time for this, especially on weekends and in the busy seasons, and keep your documents handy. Once your permit is ready, the road climbs steadily through forests and past the Chukha hydropower area towards Thimphu. Our Phuentsholing to Thimphu taxi page covers transfers on this stretch if you only need a car.
Papers to pack before leaving Kolkata
Travellers from Kolkata with an Indian passport or Voter ID card do not need a visa. If you come up through Jaigaon, the entry permit is issued at the Phuentsholing immigration office; if you fly from Kolkata, it is issued when you land at Paro.
- Each adult should carry the original passport or Voter ID, plus a couple of photocopies.
- For children without a passport, bring the original birth certificate.
- Keep printed hotel confirmations in your day bag, as they are useful at the permit counter.
- Once you go beyond Thimphu and Paro, current rules call for a licensed guide, and your guide sorts out the route permits for places like Punakha.
- Would your parents be more comfortable in Bengali? Ask us for a Bengali-speaking guide and we will check who is available for your dates.
During the Puja holidays the Phuentsholing office can be busy with families from Bengal, so arrive with documents in order and allow extra time. Our complete guide for Indian travellers covers the permit process step by step.
Sample 6 day plan from Kolkata (by road)
This plan assumes you reach Bagdogra or NJP on the morning of Day 1. If you fly direct to Paro, we drop the first night in Phuentsholing and start in Paro instead, then follow our 5 day itinerary.
Day 1: Bagdogra or NJP to Phuentsholing
Meet your driver and travel through the tea gardens and the Dooars to the border. Check in at Phuentsholing and begin the permit formalities if the office is open.
Day 2: Phuentsholing to Thimphu
Complete the permit, then drive up to Thimphu, about five to six hours with stops. Evening at leisure.
Day 3: Thimphu sightseeing
Visit Buddha Dordenma, the Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong, and arrange route permits for Punakha.
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha
Cross Dochula Pass to Punakha. Visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.
Day 5: Punakha to Paro
Drive back over Dochula to Paro. Visit Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum in the afternoon.
Day 6: Tiger's Nest hike
Hike to Paro Taktsang with our Tiger's Nest hike guide, then the next day fly out of Paro or drive back to Phuentsholing and the plains.
Returning by road adds roughly a day and a half to the trip. Many Kolkata travellers fly out of Paro to save time, or enter by air and leave by road through Phuentsholing.
Budgeting your trip
The main parts of the cost are your hotels, the car and driver, the licensed guide, meals and the SDF. For Indian nationals the SDF is INR 1,200 per person per night; most other passports pay USD 100 per adult per night, a figure confirmed until 31 August 2027. Both fees can change, and we check the rate that applies to your travel dates. Use our trip cost calculator for a ballpark, or our free trip planner to shape the route, then ask us for a written quote listing exactly what is included.
Best time to travel from Kolkata
Many families travel during the Puja holidays, which usually fall in October during Bhutan's autumn season with clear skies, so book early for those dates. Spring, from March to May, is also popular, and the winter school holidays in December bring clear, cold days. During the summer monsoon, the road from Phuentsholing can be slowed by landslides, so we allow extra time. See our best season guide and our festival calendar.
Rupees, cash and cards
- Because the ngultrum is tied 1:1 to the rupee, you can spend Indian money in most places across the border without changing it.
- Bring your rupees in smaller denominations, since shopkeepers can turn away large Indian notes.
- Draw what you need in Kolkata or Siliguri before the border and keep a cash float, as card and digital payments are not accepted everywhere in Bhutan.
- Our money guide lists where ATMs are easiest to find.
Tips for travellers from Bengal
- Phuentsholing feels warm like the plains, but Thimphu evenings are cold, so keep a jacket in the car rather than packed away.
- Book Puja-week hotels and Paro flights early, as these dates fill quickly.
- Rice is served with almost every meal, while Bhutanese dishes lean heavily on chilli and cheese. Our food guide helps you order.
- Dzongs expect full sleeves and long trousers or skirts, so pack at least one such outfit each. Trying the gho and kira is great fun for photographs.
- Coming up from sea level, give yourselves an easy first evening in Thimphu; our altitude guide explains why.
- A Bhutanese SIM keeps family in touch on the road. See the SIM and wifi guide.
Car only, or a full trip?
Some travellers from Kolkata only want a car and driver from Bagdogra and plan the rest themselves. That is possible within Thimphu and Paro, but for Punakha and beyond you need a licensed guide under current rules. Our car rental with driver page and guide hire page explain the options.
Planning a trip from Kolkata? Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp +975 17661648 or write to [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to travel from Kolkata to Bhutan?
Flying to Paro is quickest. Going by air or train to Bagdogra or NJP and then by road through Phuentsholing is more flexible and popular with families and groups.
How far is Phuentsholing from Bagdogra?
It is about 165 km and usually takes four and a half to five hours by road, depending on traffic and stops.
Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?
No. Indian nationals receive an entry permit at Phuentsholing immigration or on arrival at Paro. You need a valid passport or Voter ID, and children can use a birth certificate.
What is the SDF for Indian travellers?
Currently INR 1,200 per person per night. Fees can change, so we confirm the rate for your dates.
Do we need a guide if we come from Kolkata by road?
Under current rules, Indian visitors need a licensed guide for travel beyond Thimphu and Paro, such as Punakha or Haa. We arrange guides and route permits.
Can we use Indian rupees in Bhutan?
Yes. The ngultrum is pegged 1:1 to the rupee and rupees are widely accepted. Carry smaller Indian notes, as large notes can be refused.
How many days do we need for a road trip from Kolkata?
Six to seven days covers Thimphu, Punakha and Paro comfortably by road. Flying direct to Paro saves about a day.
Do you sell fixed Kolkata to Bhutan packages?
We plan tailor-made trips, so we quote each one based on your dates, hotels and group size rather than publishing package prices.
