Taipei's long-haul gateway is Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, about an hour from the city centre by the airport MRT. That is where most Bhutan-bound trips from the capital begin. There are no direct flights to Paro, so you will hop to a regional hub first and finish with one of Bhutan's two airlines. Taipei also has Songshan Airport close to downtown, but its routes are regional, so plan around Taoyuan. This page walks through the trip from a Taipei point of view.
Out of Taipei: Taoyuan and the First Flight
The Taoyuan Airport MRT is an easy way out of the city, and some airlines offer in-town check-in at Taipei Main Station, which lets you drop bags before you ride out. Confirm whether your carrier uses Terminal 1 or Terminal 2.
Our Taiwan guide lists Thai Airways and China Airlines on the route to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, and EVA Air or Air India towards Delhi. Check current schedules when booking, as frequencies vary through the year.
It is worth thinking about baggage before you leave Taipei. The Bhutanese airlines fly aircraft sized for Paro's short runway and high altitude, so allowances on the final sector may be tighter than on your first flight. Pack so that anything you cannot do without for a night fits in your cabin bag, and leave bulky shopping for the return trip. If you are travelling as a family or group, our team can help you line up seats on the same Paro flight, which matters when demand is high around festival time.
Connecting at Bangkok, Delhi or Kathmandu
Bangkok is typically the most convenient transfer for Taipei travellers. From Suvarnabhumi, Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) or Bhutan Airlines fly on to Paro, a leg of about two to three hours according to our guide. These are the only two airlines that serve Paro, Bhutan's sole international airport.
Delhi is an alternative, with a Drukair connection for the final sector. Our guide also mentions Kathmandu, with Nepal Airlines on the first leg, for travellers who want to pair Bhutan with Nepal. During peak seasons, extra Paro flights are sometimes added, but you should never rely on that when choosing your dates. It suggests layovers of four to eight hours are realistic, and notes that flights into Paro are often scheduled in the morning, when visibility is best.
Example Trip: Taipei to Paro
This sample shows one way the journey could be arranged. It is an illustration, not a timetable.
- Evening: take the MRT to Taoyuan and fly to Bangkok.
- Night: sleep at a hotel near Suvarnabhumi.
- Morning: board a Drukair or Bhutan Airlines flight to Paro.
- Late morning: land in Paro and meet your Manifest Bhutan Expeditions guide and driver.
Our Taiwan guide estimates total travel time of 10 to 15 hours. It also recommends reconfirming flights 72 hours before departure, which is good practice. Because the Paro approach is visual-only and weather can delay flights, an extra night in the transit city protects the rest of your plans.
Taipei Is Two Hours Ahead of Bhutan
Taiwan keeps UTC+8 all year and Bhutan Standard Time is UTC+6, also without daylight saving. Bhutan is therefore two hours behind Taipei in every month. When it is 9 am at Taipei 101, it is 7 am in Thimphu. The adjustment is easy; you may find yourself awake early on your first morning, which is ideal for an early start.
Taipei Humidity vs Bhutan's Mountain Seasons
Taipei's climate is subtropical: long, hot and humid summers, a typhoon season from roughly summer into early autumn, and mild but damp winters. Bhutan's 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.
Autumn tends to be the favourite for Taipei travellers, offering dry mountain air after a sticky summer at home, plus the Thimphu Tshechu. Spring brings rhododendron season and the Paro Tshechu. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar, a system that will feel familiar from Taiwanese festivals, and change each year. Lunar New Year holidays fall in Bhutan's winter, a good choice if you dress warmly. Summer is quieter in Bhutan, but monsoon cloud can disrupt Paro flights, which is worth weighing against the convenience of school holidays in Taiwan.
Documents for Taiwanese Travellers
Taiwan passport holders need a Bhutan visa, applied for online in advance and arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. Our Taiwan guide says you will provide a scanned passport valid for at least six months from arrival, a recent photograph and proof of travel insurance, and notes a visa fee of USD 40.
- SDF: currently USD 100 per adult per night for most international visitors. Check the latest rates with the Department of Tourism before booking.
- Insurance: required for the whole of your stay.
- Cash: the ngultrum is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; ATMs are mainly in towns, so bring some cash.
Recommended Stays from Taipei
Five nights covers Paro and Thimphu, making Bhutan feasible within a week of leave. Seven to nine nights adds central Bhutan and a more relaxed rhythm. If you transit Bangkok, consider an extra night there on the way home as well.
Taipei Traveller FAQ
Can I fly from Songshan Airport?
Songshan mainly serves regional routes, so Taoyuan is usually the practical departure for Bhutan.
Which hub is quickest from Taipei?
Bangkok is typically the most convenient, though the best option depends on the Paro schedule for your dates.
Should I reconfirm my Paro flight?
Yes. Our guide suggests reconfirming 72 hours before departure.
To read about Kaohsiung departures, seasonal detail and the full visa process, see How to Travel to Bhutan from Taiwan. When your dates are set, contact us and we will build the trip around your flights from Taoyuan.
