23 Expert Tips for Traveling to Bhutan from Nepal: Visa Application, Flight Ticket, Tour Arrangement, and More

Traveling from Nepal to Bhutan is one of the most popular ways to get to Bhutan. However, the neighboring countries offer quite different travel experiences.

Since Nepal is a paradise for backpackers and individual travelers, a journey to Bhutan involves more restrictions and requires booking a pre-arranged tour through a local travel agency to obtain a Bhutan Visa.

To help you arrange a seamless journey from Nepal to Bhutan, we’ve compiled 23 essential tips, from Visa application and flight ticket booking to Nepal Bhutan tour arrangements. Check out the details to make your Bhutan trip from Nepal smoother and more enjoyable.

1. Get Nepal Visa after arriving in Kathmandu

With a good Visa on Arrival service for the citizens of almost every country in the world, you can apply for a Nepal visa online or at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, and process your visa in around an hour after arrival. It is really one of the advantages to enter Bhutan from Kathmandu.

If you enter Nepal by land from India or Tibet (China), you can also apply for the visa on arrival at the land border.

2. Apply for Bhutan Visa in advance

A Bhutan Visa is required to be applied for in advance. You need to book a Bhutan tour with an authorized and registered travel agency, and finish the full payment first. Then, your travel agency will apply for the visa on your behalf. Individual application for Bhutan Visa is not accepted by Bhutan.

It is suggested to apply for your Bhutan visa at least one month before your departure, since your Bhutan flight booking requires a Bhutan visa.

Apply for Bhutan Visa in advance

3. Nepal Citizens also need a Bhutan Visa

While Nepal is the closest location in the world for travel to Bhutan, even Nepali citizens are required to book a tour to Bhutan to obtain a visa for entry to the kingdom. Nepal is not one of the countries that have visa-free entry or freedom of movement in and out of Bhutan.

6 Days Best of Bhutan Tour

Tour Route: Paro – Thimphu (1N) – Punakha (1N) – Gangtey (1N) – Paro (2N)

4. Indian Citizens do not need a Visa for Nepal and Bhutan, but a Valid ID is required

Indian tourists are not required to get a Bhutan visa in advance or book a pre-arranged tour of Bhutan. India has an agreement of Freedom of Movement with Bhutan, which means Indian citizens can enter the country freely, with just their passport or Voter ID as identification for entry.

5. Only two airlines offer flights between Kathmandu and Paro

Recently, only DrukAir and Bhutan Airlines provide flights from Kathmandu to Paro, or anywhere else that has direct flights to Bhutan. If you are planning a Bhutan tour, you are required to book your flight through one of these two airlines.

Paro International Airport

6. Bhutan flight tickets cannot be booked at Kathmandu Airport

While there is a check-in desk at Kathmandu airport for Bhutan flights, there is no booking desk for buying the flight ticket. So you can not book the flight to Bhutan after you arrive at Kathmandu Airport.

All flights to Bhutan with DrukAir and Bhutan Airlines must be booked in advance with the Visa Approval Letter. It is suggested to book the flight ticket together with your Bhutan tour package to save a lot of trouble.

7. You can get a discount by booking the round-trip tickets

Flights to Bhutan are costly, and for the best discounts on the flights into and out of Bhutan, it is better to book your return trip in one booking, than to book separate flights. Return trips booked on the same booking have a discount on the cost of two separate flights, so you can save some money this way.

8. Flight to Bhutan cannot be checked in online

Bhutan flights with DrukAir and Bhutan Airlines do not have an option for online check-in for the flight. You are required to check in in person at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to Bhutan. If you want a window seat for a clear view of the Himalayas, you need to get to the counter at least 3 hours in advance.

Take a window seat on a Kathmandu–Paro flight for amazing views of the Himalayas from above.

9. The Hard Copy of Bhutan Visa is required while checking in

When you do the check-in at the airport for your flight to Bhutan, you are required to have a hard copy (printed copy) of the Visa Approval Letter that we will send you once your visa is approved. This is the same approval letter that you need for booking the flights, and you are required to show the hard copy on check-in and boarding for all flights to Bhutan to prove that your visa has already been approved.

10. It is suggested to stay one night/24 hours for connecting flights

When taking a flight to Bhutan from Kathmandu, we recommend that you stopover in Kathmandu for a day/night before your departing flight to Paro International Airport.

Bad weather in Bhutan, where visual landings are performed, can delay flights from Kathmandu for hours, even days at a time sometimes, especially in the monsoon season.

You also need to get your luggage from the carousel, as you will need to check in your luggage again for your flight to Bhutan, as there is no automatic transfer of luggage for Bhutan flights.

It is the same for the flight from Paro to Kathmandu. If you have another flight journey from Kathmandu after your Bhutan tour, you need to leave enough time for connecting flight, or prepare a plan B for the delay or cancelation of Bhutan flight.

11. Visit Nepal First and then to to Bhutan

If you are planning a combined Nepal Bhutan tour, it is better to visit Nepal before heading to Bhutan, which makes the trip easier. As you will need to obtain a visa to get into Nepal for your Bhutan flight anyway, it is better to tour Nepal before heading for Bhutan.

On your return from Bhutan, you can arrange the ticket for your homebound/onward flight as a continuation and use the transit allowance of Tribhuvan Airport, rather than getting another visa for entry to Nepal after visiting Bhutan.

Also, the pace of life in Bhutan is much slower than in Nepal. The relaxing journey in Bhutan will be a good ending for your long-time Nepal Bhutan tour.

The recommended Nepal Bhutan travel route is to visit Nepal first and then to Bhutan.

12. You can book a trip to Bhutan once you are in Nepal but not suggested to do that.

While it is possible to book a trip to Bhutan after you arrive in Nepal, it is not really advisable, as you will need to allow time to process the Bhutan visa application and for the arrangements for your trip to Bhutan to be made. This can take some time, so it is better to book further in advance to guarantee all the arrangements and the visa approval can be made in time for the trip.

13. 11 days are recommended for first-time travelers to Nepal and Bhutan

If it is your first time visiting Nepal and Bhutan, then you should consider a minimum period of around 11 days to allow you to explore both destinations properly.

Nepal is a country that has a long and varied history, though most of the important places to see lie within the Kathmandu valley. However, in Bhutan, there is further to travel, so you will need a little more time there to get around. On average, an 11-day Nepal Bhutan tour gives you enough time to see both countries properly without rushing.

14. You can shorten your Nepal Bhutan Tour in 8 days

It is possible to shorten the tour of Nepal and Bhutan into around one week, if you are really short on time, though it is not recommended. Spending 3 days in Kathmandu, Nepal, to see the major sights and then moving to Bhutan to tour just around Paro,Thimphu, and Punakha will be enough to whet your appetite for more.

8 Days Essence of Nepal and Bhutan Tour

Tour Route: Kathmandu (3N) - Thimphu (1N) - Punakha (1N) - Paro (2N)

15. Avoid visiting Nepal and Bhutan from June to August (Monsoon Season)

The monsoon season in Nepal and Bhutan occurs at around the same time, as these two Himalayan countries have very similar climates. Running from June to August in both Nepal and Bhutan, the monsoon season can get very wet and is not a great time to visit. Clouds often cover the peaks of the mountains, and the monsoon rains, while not as heavy as in lower altitude countries, can be a little daunting.

For a more pleasant travel experience and clear mountain views, the best time to visit Nepal and Bhutan is in April, May, September, and October.

16. Recently, there is no way to travel from Nepal to Bhutan by Road

While the overland idea is a great one and the trip from Kathmandu to Bhutan can be an interesting drive, at the moment, it is not possible to drive from Nepal to Bhutan. Driving the route from Kathmandu to Phuentsholing in Bhutan requires you to cross the Indian state of West Bengal. Currently, there is no way to travel by road to Phuentsholing from Nepal, and rail or flight travel is your best option.

17. Mountain climbing is forbidden in Bhutan but available in Nepal

While you can climb any mountain (almost) in Nepal, there are no such freedoms in Bhutan. Mountain climbing has long been a desire for visitors to the Himalayas, and in Nepal, there are few mountains that cannot be climbed. However, in Bhutan, there are restrictions on climbing the mountains as they are considered to be sacred in Tibetan Buddhism, the religion of the kingdom.

If you plan a Himalaya mountain climbing experience in your Nepal Bhutan tour, just arrange it for your days in Nepal.

18. The Daily Fee for a Bhutan tour can be reduced to USD 200 in low season

While the Minimum Daily Package (MDP) fee in the peak months is normally 250 US dollars a day, in the low seasons, it drops to just 200 dollars a day. Like any tourists destination, the Bhutan tour cost is lower during the off-seaason due to fewer visitors and efforts to attract more visitors. In Bhutan, this translates into a reduction in the cost of the average tour by around fifty dollars a day per person.

Visiting Bhutan in the low season, you will not only get a lower MDP, but also experience a peaceful atmosphere without crowds.

19. The travel budget in Nepal is more flexible than in Bhutan

Budgeting your travel expenses is a little more flexible when traveling in Nepal than in Bhutan. In Bhutan, your budget is fixed at either 250 dollars or 200 dollars per person per night. This covers all of your expenses as an all-inclusive destination.

In Nepal, you can hunt around for cheaper places to stay, find less costly food options, and even travel by public bus, which means you can manage your own spending and budget sensibly in Nepal.

20. Bhutanese Ngultrum (Bhutan Currency) can only be exchanged within Bhutan

The main currency in Bhutan is the Ngultrum, which can be exchanged at some places for your dollars, including the airport, banks, and foreign exchange kiosks. However, you are only able to convert your dollars into Ngultrum once you are in the kingdom, as the currency is not permitted to be taken out of Bhutan.

21. Credit Cards are widely used in Nepal but not in Bhutan

While you can use your credit cards easily in Nepal, even halfway to Mount Everest at the large hotels along the early part of the trail, you may have a harder time in Bhutan.

Bhutan is not a third-world nation, and is very modern, despite its devout Buddhist image. However, credit card use is still not complete across the country. You will find that only the larger hotels and restaurants will accept card payments, so make sure you have enough cash for your Bhutan tour.

12 Days Best of Nepal and Bhutan Tour

Tour Route: Kathmandu (3N) - Chitwan (2N) - Pokhara (2N) - Kathmandu (1N) - Paro - Thimphu (1N) - Paro (2N)

22. India Currencies are accepted in both Nepal and Bhutan

If you are traveling between Nepal and Bhutan, it is useful to know that you can use Indian rupees freely in both countries. In Nepal, the rupee is the local currency as well, and the Nepali rupee is 1-1 with the Indian Rupee. And while the rupee is not the official currency of Bhutan, it can be freely spent there, and you may find you even get rupees as change when spending ngultrum and dollars.

23. Buy the right things in the right places

Shopping can be a little confusing in Bhutan, though it is a lot easier in Nepal. Making sure that you are getting a good deal for your money is important, and you need to go to the right places for the best bargains and the best value for money. In both Nepal and Bhutan, the best way to do this is to ask your local guide for the best places to shop.

11 Days Epic Nepal Bhutan Tour

Tour Route: Kathmandu (3N) – Pokhara(3N) – Kathmandu – Thimphu (1N) - Punakha (1N) - Paro (2N)

Conclusion

After checking the above expert tips, you’ll have a clearer idea about how to plan a smooth Nepal Bhutan tour. From applying for a Bhutan Visa in advance and booking flights to Bhutan efficiently to organizing your tour and managing your budget, our Bhutan travel experts have shared everything you need to know before your journey to Bhutan.

If you still have some questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us for more personalized advice and professional support.