Lomé sits right on the Gulf of Guinea, and for most Togolese travellers the road to the Himalayas begins a short drive from the city centre at Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW), often called Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport. There is no direct link between Togo and Bhutan, so a trip to Paro is a journey of several stages. This page is written specifically for people starting in the capital, and it walks through the departure, the connections, the clock change and the paperwork you will meet along the way.
Out of Lomé: LFW and Your First Flight
LFW is close enough to the city that most travellers simply allow a generous margin for traffic and check-in rather than staying near the terminal. From here, the first leg typically points either north to Europe or east across the continent. The routes most often used by Togolese travellers, according to our country guide, run via Paris (CDG) with Air France or via Addis Ababa (ADD) with Ethiopian Airlines. Both carriers publish their own timetables, so check current schedules before you commit to a particular day of travel.
Whichever way you head first, you will need a second long flight to reach an Asian gateway before the final hop into Bhutan. Keeping all of these sectors on a single ticket, where possible, gives you more protection if one flight runs late.
Choosing a Connection: Paris or Addis Ababa
The eastern route through Addis Ababa keeps you on one airline for a long stretch and avoids doubling back through Europe. The northern route through Paris can suit travellers who already hold onward arrangements in Europe or who prefer Air France’s network. From either hub, the common Asian gateways are Delhi (DEL), Bangkok (BKK) and Kathmandu (KTM).
Those three cities matter because only two airlines fly into Bhutan at all: Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines. Their services into Paro International Airport (PBH), the kingdom’s only international airport, leave from a handful of gateway cities. Our usual advice is to choose the gateway first, then work backwards to see which long-haul connection from Lomé fits it best.
- Via Addis Ababa: Lomé to Addis Ababa, then onward to Delhi or Bangkok.
- Via Paris: Lomé to Paris, then a long-haul flight east to an Asian gateway.
- Final sector: Drukair or Bhutan Airlines into Paro.
An Example Trip, Lomé to Paro
To give you a feel for the rhythm of the journey, here is one way it might unfold. Treat it as an illustration only; actual timings depend on the schedules in force when you book.
You leave home in Lomé for LFW and board a flight to Addis Ababa. After a connection there, you continue on a long overnight sector to Bangkok. Rather than racing for the Paro flight, you spend a night near the airport, sleep off the first wave of fatigue and meet your Drukair or Bhutan Airlines departure the next morning. On landing in Paro, your Bhutanese guide is waiting outside arrivals, and the drive into the valley begins.
The approach into Paro is flown visually and weather can cause delays, so a spare night in the gateway city is a sensible cushion, not wasted time.
Lomé Time and Bhutan Time
Togo keeps Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+0) throughout the year, while Bhutan Standard Time is UTC+6 with no daylight saving. That means Bhutan is six hours ahead of Lomé in every month. When it is 8am in Lomé, it is already 2pm in Paro.
Six hours eastwards is enough to unsettle your sleep for the first couple of nights. A useful habit is to move your meals and bedtime a little later than usual during the last days at home, then get outdoors in daylight as soon as you arrive in Bhutan.
Gulf of Guinea Weather vs Himalayan Seasons
Lomé is warm and humid for most of the year, with a coastal climate shaped by its rainy spells and drier periods. Bhutan works differently. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most popular seasons. Summer (June to August) is the monsoon, and winter (December to February) is cold but clear, especially at altitude.
For travellers used to Lomé’s heat, the biggest surprise is usually the evening chill in Bhutan’s valleys, even in the shoulder seasons. Pack layers, a warm jacket and good walking shoes. If you would like to see a festival, Paro Tshechu falls in spring and Thimphu Tshechu in autumn, but their dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year.
Paperwork for Togolese Passport Holders
Togolese nationals need a Bhutan visa, which is applied for online in advance and is usually arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. Our country guide notes that the documents typically include a scan of your passport with at least six months’ validity from your arrival date, a recent passport-style photo and proof of your tour booking. Once the visa clearance is issued, it is presented on arrival in Paro.
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF): currently USD 100 per adult per night for most international visitors. Check the latest rates with the Department of Tourism before booking.
- Travel insurance: required for visitors, and it should cover your entire stay in Bhutan.
- Money: the ngultrum (BTN) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; ATMs are found mainly in towns, so carry some cash.
How Many Days to Plan from Lomé
Because the flights take a good share of your holiday, a very short stay rarely feels worthwhile. Many travellers from West Africa find that five to seven nights in Bhutan covers Paro and Thimphu comfortably, with time for the climb to a cliffside monastery and a day in the Punakha valley. Ten to twelve nights opens up central Bhutan or a gentle trek. Add one or two nights for the gateway city on each side, and you have a realistic overall trip length.
Questions from Lomé Travellers
Can I fly straight from Lomé to Bhutan?
No. You will connect at least twice: first at a hub such as Addis Ababa or Paris, then at an Asian gateway such as Delhi, Bangkok or Kathmandu, before the final flight to Paro.
Should I book the Paro flight myself?
Many guests ask their tour operator to secure the Drukair or Bhutan Airlines seats so that flights, visa and itinerary line up. We are happy to coordinate this sector with your long-haul tickets.
Do I need a buffer day?
It is strongly recommended. Weather around Paro can delay flights, and a spare night in the gateway city protects the rest of your plans.
This page focuses on departures from the capital. For full background on visas, routes and itineraries for Togolese travellers, read our guide How to Travel to Bhutan from Togo, and get in touch when you are ready to shape your own dates.
