馃悏 Bhutan

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry and fees

The official site below sets out the visa rules, which differ by passport. Where visas are required, they are electronic only, and tourist visas are not stamped by Bhutanese embassies; most travellers have a licensed Bhutanese tour operator arrange one, or use the official tourism system. Every day, visitors must pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). According to reports, each person pays USD 100 a night until 31 August 2027 and USD 200 at other times; children aged 6-11 pay half price and those under 6 stay free, while a visa fee of roughly USD 40 is added. These amounts are set, and changed, by the Department of Tourism, so check the current figures before booking. The only flights land in Paro, operated by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines.

Culture and practical - take note

Harmony and tradition are valued in Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom. In temples and in dzongs (fortress-monasteries), arms and legs should be covered, hats and shoes taken off, and no photos taken in the shrines; pointing a foot or finger at an image is rude. Circle prayer wheels and chortens in a clockwise direction, and a monk's head must never be touched. Many wear gho and kira, the national dress. Selling tobacco is restricted, so find out the rules before bringing in cigarettes. Roads wind, and journeys take more time than a look at the map would suggest. Tiger's Nest, in Paro, involves a steep hike; allow time to acclimatise first and take warm clothing. Let your operator know early, since halal options are limited. Expect quiet, simple surroundings in place of nightlife.

Emergency

Your tour operator and guide are your first contact. Reported numbers: police 113, ambulance 112, fire 110 - confirm on arrival.

Good to know

Plug types in Bhutan

The Tourism Council of Bhutan says three kinds of plug are used across the country: the British plug with three square pins (type G sockets), the European plug with two round pins (type C) and the Indian plug with three thick round pins (type D). It suggests bringing adaptors for all three. The page does not give the mains voltage or frequency.

Local laws and customs

Permits, devices and temples

Visitors cannot travel independently: trips are pre-arranged through an authorised agency, and a special permit is needed beyond Thimphu and Paro, Canadian advice says. Phones, cameras and other electronic devices must be registered with customs on arrival. Photography inside dzongs, temples and monasteries should be checked with a guide first, and exporting antiques is prohibited. UK advice adds that littering is illegal everywhere and that criticising the King causes offence.

Taxis and scams

Unregulated taxi fares

Taxis in Bhutan are unregulated and often have no meter, and drivers tend to push fares up, according to Canadian advice. It suggests negotiating the fare with the driver as the trip begins.

Who can help

local government

Royal Bhutan Police emergency hotline 113

Helps with: Bhutan's police emergency hotline, for crimes such as theft or assault. The police site also lists 110 for fire, 111 for traffic and 112 for an ambulance. No tourist police unit is shown.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Bhutan who needs the police urgently, including visitors.

Phone: 113

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Department of Tourism, Bhutan

Helps with: Bhutan's tourism department. Its visitor FAQ tells travellers to phone it about tourism enquiries or problems with their tourism experience. The FAQ gives 2300 for calls made within Bhutan.

Who qualifies: Visitors to Bhutan with a tourism enquiry or a problem with their trip.

Phone: +975 17661974

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Bhutan Red Cross Society

Helps with: Bhutan's national Red Cross society. It describes services in social work, health and disaster risk management, delivered through a volunteer network across the country.

Who qualifies: People in Bhutan who need its social, health or disaster response services.

Phone: +975-2-339999

Email: [email protected]

Address: Kuenzangkhar Zur Lam 5 S W, Lower Motithang, Thimphu (PO Box 1976)

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Disaster Communication Helpline (999)

Helps with: The Royal Bhutan Police emergency page lists 999 as the Disaster Communication Helpline Unit, alongside 113 for police, 110 for fire and 112 for an ambulance.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Bhutan affected by a disaster or reporting one.

Phone: 999

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Thimphu combined emergency number 1010

Helps with: The Royal Bhutan Police emergency page says that in Thimphu, 1010 reaches any of its listed emergency services: police, fire, traffic, ambulance and the disaster helpline.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Thimphu who needs an emergency service.

Phone: 1010

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Paro ParoThe valley holds the National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, the cliffside Tiger's Nest monastery and the only international airport.Photo: Doug Knuth from Woodstock, IL, CC BY-SA 2.0 Thimphu ThimphuFamous for having no traffic lights, the capital also has Tashichho Dzong, a weekend market and the giant Buddha Dordenma statue.Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY-SA 3.0 Punakha PunakhaPunakha Dzong rises where two rivers meet in this former capital, near a long suspension bridge draped in prayer flags.Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bumthang BumthangReligious festivals full of colour, old temples, apple orchards and Jakar Dzong mark this spiritual heartland.Photo: PgyamtshoBT, CC0 Phobjikha Valley Phobjikha ValleyRare black-necked cranes winter in this wide glacial valley, which surrounds Gangtey Monastery.Photo: Phuentsho, CC BY-SA 4.0

City selection based on: Lonely Planet and other travel guides, tour-operator itineraries (no official city-level statistics found)

Festivals and events

religious

Paro Tshechu

around Mar-Apr 2027 路 Paro

Paro Dzong holds masked dances, and hotels as well as flights get sold out.

religious

Thimphu Tshechu

around Sep-Oct 2027 路 Thimphu

In the capital, this is the biggest festival of masked dance.