Bhutan is a long way from Mumbai, but it is a straightforward trip once you know the routes. Most travellers from Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra connect through Delhi or Kolkata to fly into Paro, while others fly to Bagdogra and come in by road through Phuentsholing. Either way, you can be in the Himalaya by the afternoon of your travel day or the next morning.
We are a licensed Bhutanese tour operator and we build tailor-made trips, so you will not find package prices here. This page covers how to get to Bhutan from Mumbai, the documents you need, a sample plan, budgeting and tips specific to Indian travellers. Tell us your dates and we send a written quote.
How to get from Mumbai to Bhutan
Fly via Delhi or Kolkata to Paro
Mumbai has no regular non-stop flight to Paro. The usual approach is to connect via Delhi or Kolkata, where Drukair and Bhutan Airlines operate flights to Paro. The Delhi to Paro flight takes about 2 hours. Schedules change by season, so check the current timetable before booking, and leave a comfortable gap between your domestic flight and the Paro flight, ideally with a night in the connecting city if timings are tight. Our guide to flying to Bhutan from India covers this in more detail.
Fly to Bagdogra and come by road
Flights from Mumbai to Bagdogra are available, some non-stop and some with a connection; check current schedules. From Bagdogra it is about 165 km to the border at Phuentsholing, around four and a half to five hours by car, and then another five to six hours up to Thimphu, usually after a night in Phuentsholing. We can meet you at Bagdogra airport; see our Bagdogra to Bhutan car hire page. This route is often easier on the budget and suits families and groups, but it adds time.
Which route should you choose?
- Short trip (5 to 6 days): fly into Paro via Delhi or Kolkata to save travel time.
- Longer trip or larger group: the Bagdogra road route gives flexibility and lets you see the foothills.
- Best of both: fly into Paro and leave by road via Phuentsholing and Bagdogra, or the other way round.
What Mumbai travellers need to carry
An Indian passport or a Voter ID card is all an adult needs for the Bhutan entry permit; no visa is involved. Since most Mumbai travellers fly into Paro, the permit is normally issued at the airport on arrival, while those who come by road from Bagdogra receive it at Phuentsholing.
- Pack the original ID, not just a phone photo, and keep it in your hand luggage across both flights.
- Young children who have no passport can travel on their original birth certificate.
- Beyond Thimphu and Paro, current rules require a licensed guide, who also obtains the route permits for Punakha and other districts.
- If you would like a Hindi-speaking guide, mention it when you enquire and we will check availability.
Requirements are revised now and then, so we recheck them shortly before you fly. More detail is in our guide for Indian travellers.
Planning the long travel day
Getting from Mumbai to Paro usually means two flights, and the Paro leg depends on clear weather in the valley. We suggest spending the night before in Delhi or Kolkata rather than trying to connect on the same day, and keeping a spare day before your return to Mumbai. That small cushion protects the rest of your holiday if a flight is moved.
Sample 6 day plan from Mumbai (flying into Paro)
This plan assumes you fly from Mumbai to Delhi or Kolkata the day before and on to Paro on the morning of Day 1.
Day 1: Arrive in Paro, drive to Thimphu
Collect your entry permit at Paro airport, meet your guide and drive to Thimphu, about an hour. Visit the Memorial Chorten in the evening.
Day 2: Thimphu
See Buddha Dordenma, the Folk Heritage Museum, a craft workshop and Tashichho Dzong. Your guide arranges route permits for Punakha.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Stop at Dochula Pass for the 108 chortens, then visit Punakha Dzong and walk to Chimi Lhakhang.
Day 4: Punakha to Paro
Walk across the Punakha suspension bridge and drive back to Paro. Evening on Paro's main street.
Day 5: Paro valley
Visit Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang. On a clear day, drive up to Chele La for the view towards the Haa Valley.
Day 6: Tiger's Nest hike
Hike to Paro Taktsang using our Tiger's Nest hike guide. Fly out the following morning.
If you would rather come by road via Bagdogra, add a night in Phuentsholing at each end. For a longer stay, see our 7 day itinerary, which adds the Phobjikha Valley.
Budgeting your trip from Mumbai
Your flights to Delhi, Kolkata or Bagdogra are a big part of the total, so compare them first. In Bhutan, the main costs are hotels, the car and driver, the licensed guide, meals and the SDF. The SDF for Indian citizens stands at INR 1,200 per person per night, compared with USD 100 per adult per night for most other nationalities (confirmed until 31 August 2027). As fees are revised from time to time, we confirm the figure for your exact dates in the quote. Use our trip cost calculator for a ballpark, then ask us for a written quote listing exactly what is included. Our free trip planner helps if you are still deciding on the route.
Best time to travel from Mumbai
October and November are popular with Mumbai travellers, especially around Diwali, and the skies are usually clear. Spring, from March to May, suits the summer school holidays, with comfortable temperatures and rhododendrons in bloom. Winter is cold but clear, a refreshing change from Mumbai's heat, while the monsoon months from June to August are green and quiet but often cloudy. Read our best season guide and check the festival calendar for tshechu dates.
Paying for things in Bhutan
- Indian rupees are accepted widely, as the ngultrum is pegged at par with the rupee.
- Small denominations are safest, because large Indian notes can be refused.
- Keep enough cash for a few days: card and digital payments are not accepted everywhere, and UPI should not be counted on.
- Cash machines are easiest to find in Thimphu and Paro. See our money guide.
Tips for Mumbai travellers
- The summer monsoon reaches Bhutan too, so a monsoon escape from Mumbai will not bring dry skies; for clear weather, aim for October to November or March to May.
- Vegetarian meals are easy to arrange, and hotels commonly serve dal, rice and vegetables. Read our Bhutanese food guide before you go.
- For temple visits, cover shoulders and knees, and ask your guide before photographing indoors.
- Paro and Thimphu sit far higher than Mumbai, so drink plenty of water on arrival. Our altitude guide has advice.
- Mountain roads twist constantly; mention any travel sickness so the driver can stop more often.
- Buy a local SIM at the airport or in town for maps and calls; the SIM and wifi guide shows how.
Packing for Bhutan from Mumbai
Coming from a warm coastal city, many Mumbai travellers underestimate the evening chill in Bhutan. Even in spring and autumn, nights in Paro and Thimphu can be cold, and passes such as Dochula and Chele La are colder still. Pack warm layers, a light down jacket for winter, comfortable walking shoes for Tiger's Nest, and modest clothing for dzongs. Our packing list has the full checklist.
Help on the ground
Every trip we arrange includes a licensed guide and an experienced driver who stay with you throughout. If you only need a car and driver for part of the trip, for example from Bagdogra to Phuentsholing, see our car rental with driver page. Travellers from other cities may find our pages for Delhi and Kolkata helpful too.
Planning a trip from Mumbai? Tell us your travel month and how many of you are coming on WhatsApp +975 17661648 or write to [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Mumbai to Bhutan?
There is no regular non-stop flight from Mumbai to Paro. Connect via Delhi or Kolkata, or fly to Bagdogra and continue by road. Schedules change by season, so check before booking.
How many days do I need for Bhutan from Mumbai?
Allow at least six to seven days including travel. That gives you Thimphu, Punakha, Paro and the Tiger's Nest hike without rushing.
Which is better, flying into Paro or going by road from Bagdogra?
Flying into Paro saves time. The road route via Phuentsholing is flexible and suits families and groups, but adds about a day each way.
What documents do Mumbai travellers need?
A valid Indian passport or Voter ID for adults, and a birth certificate for children without photo ID. The entry permit is issued at Paro airport or Phuentsholing immigration.
Can I pay with UPI in Bhutan?
Do not rely on it. Carry some cash; card and digital payments are not accepted everywhere. Indian rupees are widely accepted, but carry smaller notes.
Do I need a guide in Bhutan?
Under current rules, Indian travellers need a licensed guide for travel beyond Thimphu and Paro. We arrange the guide and route permits as part of your trip.
What does a Bhutan trip from Mumbai cost?
It depends on your flights, hotels, season and group size. Use our calculator for a ballpark and we will send a written quote listing what is included.
