Paro International Airport operates as Bhutan's sole international airport. The runway measures 1,964 meters at an elevation of 2,235 meters. Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines hold exclusive rights to land at Paro. Pilots require specific certification for Paro approaches due to valley topography requiring manual visual navigation through mountain terrain. Flights operate during daylight hours only. Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore, and Kolkata maintain regular connections.
Land entry functions through Phuentsholing on the Indian border in southern Bhutan. The town connects to Jaigaon on the Indian side without physical barrier. Indian nationals enter Bhutan through Phuentsholing without visa requirements. Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar serve as additional southern entry points from India. No road connections exist between Bhutan and China despite the shared northern border.
The Tourism Council of Bhutan requires all international tourists except Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals to book through licensed tour operators before arrival. Pre-arranged transportation and accommodation form mandatory components of approved itineraries. Independent travel without tour operator arrangements remains prohibited for tourists under the Sustainable Development Fee system.
The Royal Government of Bhutan issues tourist visas only after tour operators submit complete itinerary documentation and receive Sustainable Development Fee payment confirmation. Tour operators apply for visa clearance through the Tourism Council of Bhutan online system. Clearance approval arrives as a reference number rather than a physical visa. Travelers present this clearance number at Paro Airport or land borders to receive the actual visa stamp on arrival.
Indian passport holders, Indian national identity cardholders, and citizens of Bangladesh and the Maldives enter without visa requirements but must carry valid passports or identity cards. These nationals register at immigration upon entry. All other nationalities require advance visa clearance through the tour operator system. China maintains no visa exemption despite the shared border.
Regional Permit requirements apply to certain restricted areas including parts of Bumthang, areas near the Tibet border, and specific military zones. Tour operators obtain these permits separately from standard visas when itineraries include restricted regions. Processing requires additional lead time beyond standard visa clearance.
The Ngultrum (BTN) functions as Bhutan's national currency. The Ngultrum maintains a fixed one-to-one peg with the Indian Rupee. Indian Rupees circulate freely throughout Bhutan at par value with Ngultrum notes. Denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 Ngultrum exist in circulation. Indian Rupee notes of 500 and 2,000 do not hold legal tender status in Bhutan following India's 2016 demonetization policy.
Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan National Bank, and Druk PNB Bank operate ATM networks in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Jakar, and other district towns. ATMs dispense Ngultrum only. Daily withdrawal limits typically range from 10,000 to 20,000 Ngultrum depending on the issuing bank and card type. Visa and Mastercard function at most ATMs. American Express and Discover cards work inconsistently. Rural areas including Phobjikha Valley, Haa Valley, and villages between district centers lack ATM infrastructure.
Credit cards see limited acceptance. Hotels approved for international tourists accept Visa and Mastercard. Restaurants and shops in Thimphu and Paro increasingly accept cards but cash remains standard. A 2-3 percent surcharge commonly applies to card transactions. Tour operator payments typically occur via bank transfer before arrival as part of visa clearance procedures.
Currency exchange services operate at Paro Airport arrival hall, Bank of Bhutan branches, and authorized money changers in Thimphu. Exchange rates for major currencies follow daily rates published by the Royal Monetary Authority. US Dollars, Euros, British Pounds, and several Asian currencies exchange readily. Torn or excessively worn foreign notes face rejection at exchange counters following standard banking protocols.
The Sustainable Development Fee replaced the previous minimum daily tariff system in September 2022. International tourists excluding Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian nationals pay USD 100 per person per night. Children aged 6-12 years pay USD 50 per night. Children under 6 enter without fee requirements. The fee applies to each night spent in Bhutan regardless of accommodation type or activities.
Tour operators collect the Sustainable Development Fee along with accommodation, meals, transportation, and guide service costs before travel. The government specifies no minimum spending requirement beyond the nightly fee. Tourists arrange service levels directly with licensed operators. Budget guesthouse stays with basic transport cost significantly less than luxury hotel packages despite identical Sustainable Development Fee amounts.
The fee remits directly to government accounts administered by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Revenue allocation includes infrastructure development, environmental conservation programs, and subsidized healthcare and education for Bhutanese citizens. The structure replaced the previous USD 250 minimum daily package to eliminate the forced luxury positioning while maintaining revenue for development priorities.