Damascus International Airport (DAM), south-east of the city, is the usual starting point for Syrian travellers heading to Bhutan. With no direct flights, your route will pass through a Middle Eastern hub and then a South Asian or Southeast Asian gateway before reaching Paro. It is a multi-step journey, and flight availability from Damascus has changed often in recent years, so careful planning pays off. Here we focus on the trip from the Syrian capital.
Out of Damascus: Airlines and First Hubs
Our Syria guide names Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates as the kind of carriers that link Syria with the wider world, routing via Istanbul, Doha or Dubai. Its worked example is Damascus to Istanbul, a flight of about two hours, then on to Delhi in around six hours. Check current schedules before booking, as services from DAM can change at short notice.
Keep your Bhutan visa clearance, any transit visas and your insurance documents printed and together.
The order in which you book matters on a route like this. Fix your Bhutan dates with your tour operator first, so the Paro flight, visa and itinerary line up. Next, confirm the transit visa you need for your chosen hub. Only then buy the Damascus leg. Booking the other way round risks holding a ticket for a connection you cannot use. Where you can, keep both long-haul sectors on one ticket so a delay on the first is the airline's responsibility.
Into South Asia, Then Over the Mountains to Paro
From Delhi, a short hop on Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) or Bhutan Airlines takes you to Paro; our guide puts it at one to two hours. These two carriers are the only airlines permitted to fly into Paro International Airport, and the guide lists Delhi, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Singapore and Kolkata among their main points of departure.
The guide also quotes higher costs for the Bhutan leg than for many regional flights, so it is worth budgeting for that sector separately. For Damascus travellers, Delhi is typically the most straightforward, but Bangkok or Kathmandu may work better depending on your transit visa options. The guide estimates 12 to 20 hours of total travel time.
Damascus to Paro: One Illustrative Route
This sample is meant only to show how the journey can be structured. Your real flights will depend on availability.
- Day 1: fly DAM to Istanbul, then continue to Delhi.
- Night: rest at an airport hotel in Delhi.
- Day 2, morning: Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines to Paro.
- Arrival: meet your Manifest Bhutan Expeditions guide in the Paro valley.
Our guide notes limited baggage allowances on the Bhutan leg, 20kg checked, so pack efficiently. Paro flights operate in daylight only under visual flight rules; fog, rain or strong winds can cause delays, particularly in the monsoon, so a buffer is wise.
Damascus and Bhutan: Three Hours Apart
Syria adopted permanent UTC+3 in 2022 and no longer changes its clocks. Bhutan Standard Time is UTC+6 all year. As a result, Bhutan is three hours ahead of Damascus in every season. When it is 8 am in the Old City, it is 11 am in Thimphu. Most travellers adjust quickly.
Comparing Damascus Weather with Bhutan's Year
Damascus has hot, dry summers and cool winters, with occasional cold snaps. Bhutan's seasons differ sharply in summer. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are Bhutan's busiest seasons; summer (June to August) is the monsoon; winter (December to February) is cold but clear, especially at altitude.
Damascus residents used to dry heat should note that Bhutan's air is far more humid in summer, while spring and autumn feel fresh and cool. Spring and autumn suit most Damascus travellers. Autumn has crisp air and the Thimphu Tshechu; spring brings blossom and the Paro Tshechu. Both follow the lunar calendar. If you can only go in summer, plan for rain and keep your schedule flexible.
Syrian Travellers: Visa, SDF and Insurance
Syrian citizens need a Bhutan visa, applied for online in advance. Our guide explains that individual applications are not permitted, so your licensed Bhutanese tour operator handles it. You will typically provide a passport valid for at least six months from entry, a recent photograph and proof of travel insurance.
- SDF: the Sustainable Development Fee for Syrian and other international visitors currently stands at USD 100 per adult per night. Check the latest rates with the Department of Tourism before booking.
- Insurance: you must hold travel insurance covering the whole stay.
- Transit: check Turkish, Qatari, Emirati, Indian or Thai visa rules for Syrian passport holders before buying tickets.
- Money: bring cash in a widely exchanged currency for personal spending. Bhutan's ngultrum is tied 1:1 to the Indian rupee, and cash machines are mostly found in towns.
On trip length, plan at least six or seven nights in Bhutan. Ten nights gives you time to explore beyond Paro and Thimphu and to absorb any delay without losing a key day.
Questions from Damascus
Which hub is easiest from Damascus?
Istanbul, Doha or Dubai for the first connection, then typically Delhi for the Paro flight.
How much luggage can I take?
Our guide mentions 20kg checked on the Bhutan leg. Confirm with your airline.
Is the time difference large?
No. Bhutan is three hours ahead of Damascus.
For further detail on routes, seasons and entry rules, read How to Travel to Bhutan from Syria. Contact us with your dates and we will help you plan around the connections available from DAM.
