Tehran's international flights leave from Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), well to the south-west of the city, rather than from Mehrabad, which mainly handles domestic routes. For travellers heading to Bhutan, that is the first thing to get right. From IKA there is no direct service to Paro, so you will connect through a hub such as Dubai or Delhi. This page focuses on how the journey works from the Iranian capital, including transit planning, the time difference and the best seasons to go.
Imam Khomeini Airport, Not Mehrabad
Allow plenty of time for the drive to IKA, which is a long way from northern Tehran, especially at peak hours. If you are arriving from another Iranian city, such as Shiraz or Mashhad, you may be able to route directly from there; our Iran guide mentions all three as departure points.
Check current schedules carefully before booking, as flights from Iran can change at short notice. Keep your Bhutan visa clearance, transit visas, insurance documents and return booking printed and together.
Because several of these documents depend on each other, it helps to work in a sensible order. Start with your Bhutan dates and tour operator, then confirm the transit visa for your chosen hub, and only then buy the flight from IKA. That way you are not left holding a ticket for a route you cannot use.
Hubs Between Tehran and Paro
Our guide describes two main routes. The first goes to Dubai with Emirates or flydubai, then continues towards Paro. The second goes to Delhi with Air India or Mahan Air, followed by a short hop to Paro on Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) or Bhutan Airlines. Bangkok is also mentioned as a transit hub. Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are the only two airlines that land at Paro International Airport.
The guide puts total travel time at 10 to 20 hours depending on layovers, and suggests buffer days in transit cities. Which hub suits you best will typically depend on your transit visa options and on how the Paro schedule falls on your dates.
Two and a Half Hours: The Time Difference
Iran Standard Time is UTC+3:30, and Iran stopped observing daylight saving in 2022. Bhutan Standard Time is UTC+6 with no clock changes. That puts Bhutan two and a half hours ahead of Tehran all year round. When it is 9 am on Valiasr Street, it is 11:30 am in Thimphu. Older sources may give a different figure, but the current difference is two and a half hours. Jet lag is minor; the bigger fatigue usually comes from the connections.
Visa, SDF and Payments for Iranian Travellers
Iranian citizens need a Bhutan visa, applied for online in advance through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, who submits it on your behalf. Our Iran guide notes that you cannot apply directly, and lists a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, a digital passport photo and proof of onward or return travel.
- SDF: most international visitors pay USD 100 per adult per night at present. Check the latest rates with the Department of Tourism before booking.
- Insurance: travel insurance covering the full stay is required.
- Transit: check the UAE, Indian or Thai visa requirements for Iranian passport holders before buying tickets.
- Payments: international payments from Iran can be complicated, so discuss with your tour operator early how you will settle the SDF and tour costs.
- Cash: the ngultrum is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee; carry some, as ATMs are mainly in towns.
Tehran to Paro: An Example Journey
The plan below is an illustration of how a Delhi-routed trip might work. It is not a schedule, and your real times will depend on the flights operating.
- Day 1, evening: depart IKA for Delhi.
- Night: arrive and rest near Delhi's airport.
- Day 2, morning: Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines to Paro.
- Arrival: your guide from Manifest Bhutan Expeditions meets you outside the terminal.
Paro operates in daylight only, and its approach is flown visually, so fog or monsoon rain can cause delays. The guide's advice to build buffer days into the plan is well worth following.
Nowruz, Tehran Summers and Bhutan's Seasons
Tehran has hot, dry summers and cold winters, with snow on the Alborz mountains to the north. Bhutan's most popular seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Its summer (June to August) is the monsoon, very unlike Tehran's dry heat, and winter (December to February) is cold but clear, especially at altitude.
The Nowruz holidays fall at the start of Bhutan's spring, which makes late March or April an attractive window. Spring brings the Paro Tshechu and autumn the Thimphu Tshechu, both on dates that follow the lunar calendar. Autumn is another excellent choice for clear views, and it avoids both Tehran's summer heat and the coldest weeks of the Bhutanese winter.
On length, five or six nights suits a Paro and Thimphu visit; eight to ten nights lets you go deeper and leaves room for any flight delay.
Tehran Traveller FAQ
Which airport should I fly from?
Imam Khomeini International (IKA). Mehrabad mainly handles domestic flights.
Is Dubai or Delhi better?
Both appear in our guide. The right choice typically depends on transit visas and schedules.
What is the exact time difference?
Bhutan is two and a half hours ahead of Tehran, all year.
For departures from Shiraz and Mashhad, seasonal detail and the visa process, read How to Travel to Bhutan from Iran. Then contact us and we will help you build a workable route from IKA to Paro.
