General Travel FAQs
If you’re new or looking for answers to your questions, this guide will help you learn more about our services and their features.
About Bhutan
What languages are spoken in Bhutan?
There are 19 languages spoken in Bhutan, but the national language is Dzongkha. English is used throughout Bhutan’s education system, so it is widely used and understood.
When is the best time to visit Bhutan?
Bhutan is a year-round destination with four distinct seasons, each offering unique magic. The ideal time depends on your priorities:
Festivals & clear skies: September–November (Autumn)
Blooming valleys & mild treks: March–May (Spring)
Lush solitude & cultural depth: June–August (Summer)
Crisp air & luxury mountain retreats: December–February (Winter)
What is the international country code?
For telephone calls, Bhutan’s country code is +975. Make sure you add this to the beginning of any number if calling Bhutan from abroad.
What currency is used in Bhutan?
Bhutan’s currency is called ngultrum. It’s 1:1 with Indian rupees.
Which power plug is standard in Bhutan?
Three different electrical plugs are used throughout Bhutan: the British plug (three square pins, compatible with type G sockets), the European plug (two round pins, compatible with type C socket) and the Indian plug (three thick round pins, compatible with type D sockets). It’s a good idea to bring adaptors for all three.
What is the international country code?
For telephone calls, Bhutan’s country code is +975. Make sure you add this to the beginning of any number if calling Bhutan from abroad.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
What is the SDF and how is it used?
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily levy paid by visitors to support Bhutan’s development. Since the kingdom first opened its doors in 1974, guests have played a critical role in our country’s growth.
The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and funds are allocated to various projects that create long-term, sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people, through free healthcare, education and training, upskilling the tourism and hospitality industry, improved infrastructure, environmental preservation and conservation, cultural preservation programmes and initiatives that support local businesses and economies. The SDF is also a vital means of maintaining the exceptional forest cover and carbon-neutrality for which our small nation is world-renowned and globally critical. The SDF also helps us to ensure that we can continue to offer guests tranquillity and an intimate experience.
How much is the SDF?
The SDF is USD 100 per night for adults from all countries except for India. Children aged between 6 years and who have not yet turned 12 are eligible to pay USD 50 per night. Children who have not yet turned 6 years old do not have to pay any SDF.
The SDF for Indian nationals (showing a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card) is Nu. 1,200 (or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees) per person, per night. Children aged between 6 years and who have not yet turned 12 are eligible to pay Nu./INR 600 per night. Children who have not yet turned 6 years old do not have to pay any SDF.
What is the 24 hour SDF border town waiver?
Tourists visiting Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrupjongkhar towns for 24 hours need not pay Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) beginning April 14, 2023. The waiver will be enforced for a year. The SDF waiver will only apply for tourists who do not travel beyond the designated zones of border towns. However, SDF will apply for visitors who travel beyond the designated zone of border towns.
Tourists will be charged SDF if they go beyond Gurung Basti in Samtse, and beyond Rinchending Checkpost in Phuentsholing. The designated zone in Gelephu is at Aipoli Bridge and Pinchinna checkpost in Samdrupjongkhar.
Can guests combine the SDF incentives with the 24-hour border-town SDF waiver?
No. This incentive is not combinable with the SDF waiver for border towns.
If guests who are already in Bhutan wish to extend their stay, what is the process?
Extensions must be made in person at the Department of Immigration and must be paid in US Dollars.
For Indian Nationals, extensions can be made in person at the Department of Immigration and must be paid in INR.
If I cancel my trip will my SDF be refunded?
Yes, the SDF will be refunded by the Department of Immigration for any cancelled or shortened trips; any bank charges will be deducted from the total refunded. Requests for SDF refunds should be submitted online using the visa portal. The refund will be processed after visitors leave Bhutan.
If a guest decides to leave Bhutan earlier than planned, are they eligible for an SDF refund?
Yes, the SDF will be refunded for any nights that are not spent in the kingdom.
Planing Your Trip
Do I need a visa to enter Bhutan?
Visitors of all nationalities, except those from India, require a visa before entering Bhutan.
For all visitors, except those from Bangladesh and the Maldives, this visa must be applied for and approved in advance of travel. Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives also require a visa, but this can be applied for and approved either in advance of travel or upon arrival in Bhutan.
Visitors from India are able to apply for a permit but are required to hold an Indian passport or an Indian voter ID card. For Indian nationals under the age of 18, a passport or a birth certificate can be used to enter and they must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Nationals from Switzerland and Thailand holding diplomatic or government-official passports are eligible for a visa at their port of entry.
How do I apply for a visa?
How long does it take to issue my visa?
A correctly input visa application can take up to five days to process.
How much does the visa cost?
There is a one-off fee of US$40 for the processing of your application. This is payable at the same time as your Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), as part of the process of submitting your visa application.
How long does my visa allow me to stay in Bhutan?
The visa allows you to remain in Bhutan for a maximum of 90 days from the date of entry.
Can I extend my visa while I’m in Bhutan?
Yes, provided the extension is applied for before the original visa or permit expires.
Visitors can extend their stay via the online visa application portal, using the same log-in details that were used to process their original visa.
The fees for processing your extension application, and daily SDF for the duration of your extended stay, will be payable via the same portal.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
No. The requirement for mandatory travel insurance was lifted on April 23, 2024. However, it is strongly recommended that all guests to Bhutan have travel insurance before visiting the Kingdom as a precaution in case of unforeseen situations.
If I want to drive my own car into Bhutan, how much does it cost?
There is a charge of Nu. 4,500 per car, per day. A guide is also mandatory and will be at an additional charge.
If guests want to bring their own car, the cars must meet the requirements of Bhutan’s Roads Safety and Transport Authority, and must also have a valid driver’s license, insurance documentation, pollution control documentation, an entry permit, and a vehicle in reasonable condition. A valid Indian driver’s license is accepted for self-driving within Bhutan. The same fees and rules apply for motorbikes.
In case the vehicle is not owned by the guests travelling to Bhutan, an authorisation letter is required. For more information on this subject please contact our Hosts team.
Do I need a guide or a route permit to travel around Bhutan?
A local guide will help you see the best that the country has to offer and will ensure your safety when exploring unfamiliar terrain and altitude. It is mandatory to be accompanied by a guide at all times in Bhutan. Guides are also mandatory for visitors who enter Bhutan via our land borders and plan to travel beyond the border towns.
During Your Trip
Where can I exchange currency?
You can change your local currency for ngultrum upon arrival at Paro International Airport or at banks, larger hotels and authorised currency exchange businesses in Thimphu.
How much cash can I bring into Bhutan?
You may bring cash equivalent to US$10,000 into the country.
Can I use my credit card and ATM card in Bhutan?
ATM and banks accept Visa and Mastercard. International credit cards are widely used in urban areas of Bhutan. However this service may not be available in other parts of the country.
Where can I get a visitor SIM card?
SIM cards can be purchased from the Paro International Airport’s visitor information centre on arrival, or from branch offices of Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell, or from authorised agents in towns.
Is there good internet connection and Wi-Fi in Bhutan?
Most hotels have Wi-Fi in Bhutan, but we recommend obtaining a guest SIM card for more convenient access to data and a more reliable internet connection. Mobile data in Bhutan can also be expensive. You can find the B Mobile SIM in mobile stores in larger cities, which you can easily top up using the Bank of Bhutan app goBoB. This app also facilitates other payments within the country.
Do I need a guide to enter monuments and Dzongs in Bhutan, and are they chargeable?
Yes, a guide is required to enter monuments and Dzongs in Bhutan. While some of the monuments and Dzongs have no entry fee, others have a fee on arrival, which can be paid in cash or via the GoBob app.
Who should I contact in an emergency?
If you require one of the emergency services, please telephone 110 for fire, 112 for an ambulance or 113 for police.
Can I use a drone for photography while in Bhutan?
A permit, which must be applied for in advance, is required to fly a drone either recreationally or commercially in Bhutan. Please email media@tcb.gov.bt to find out more about the regulations.