A complete breakdown of the Bhutan trip cost from India!

The ‘land of the Thunder Dragon’ is extremely popular amongst the travel fanatics because of its natural beauty, rich-heritage, unforgettable culture, authentic traditions, inclination towards spirituality and most importantly the sweet and humble locals of Bhutan. Located amidst the verdant forests, deep valleys and untouched beauty of nature, Bhutan is every traveler’s favourite destination. The beautiful destination caters to all kinds of travelers including families, solo travelers and even couples. So, choosing Bhutan for your next trip is surely a great idea. However, before you plan the entire trip, make sure you gather complete knowledge and understanding of Bhutan trip cost from India. Here in this blog you can find out the entire trip cost breakdown. Check out to know more. 

What is the detailed Bhutan Trip Cost from India?

If you are on the verge to plan the trip, reading this blog would be worth the time and effort as you would get to know about Bhutan itinerary, sustainable development fee, unknown border crossing fee, travel costs or charges of staying in a hotel in Bhutan.

Typically if you are planning the trip for 5-7 days, the Bhutan trip cost from India ranges between: 

Budget Trip (Road Trip)	₹30,000 – ₹45,000
Mid-Range Trip - Flight + Private cab	₹50,000 – ₹75,000
Luxury Trip (Full flights & 5* resorts)	₹1,20,000 – ₹2,40,000+

Now, the above stated Bhutan trip cost from India also includes the entry permits, the  mandatory daily fee of the Government, transport, accommodations, food and sightseeing. Your final Bhutan trip expense would be dependent on whether you wish to fly or take the train or road route from West-Bengal. 

Know about Sustainable Development Fee - SDF

If you are keen to know about the cost to visit Bhutan, you must also know about the SDF. Every tourist must pay a daily tax in order to support the free healthcare, clean environment and infrastructure of Bhutan. 

• For Indians, The SDF is a fixed regional rate where per person has to pay ₹1,200 per person/per night
• For Children who are aged 6-11, the SDF cost is ₹600 
• For a 5-night trip, it is fixed ₹6,000 per adult. 

Bhutan Trip Budget - A complete breakdown

Before getting too excited, here’s a complete breakdown of realistic Bhutan travel cost. Check out the details here!

Budget Friendly Approach

Budget Trip	₹25,000 – ₹40,000
SDF - Government Tax	₹6,000 (Fixed at ₹1,200/night)
Transport (Train + shared cabs)	₹4,000 – ₹6,000
Accommodation	₹7,500 – ₹12,500 (Cozy home-stays/local lodges)
Food	₹3,000 – ₹5,000 (Local cafes & traditional eateries)
Sightseeing & Permits:	₹2,500 – ₹4,000
Shopping/Extras	₹2,000 – ₹4,500

Mid-Range Trip Approach 

Mid Range Trip	(₹55,000 – ₹85,000)
SDF - Government Tax	₹6,000 (Fixed at ₹1,200/night)
Transport (Train + shared cabs)	₹4,000 – ₹6,000
Accommodation	₹7,500 – ₹12,500 (Cozy home-stays/local lodges)
Food	₹3,000 – ₹5,000 (Local cafes & traditional eateries)
Sightseeing & Permits:	₹2,500 – ₹4,000
Shopping/Extras	₹2,000 – ₹4,500
Private Transport	₹15,000 – ₹22,000

Luxurious Approach

Luxury Trip	₹1,30,000 – ₹2,50,000+
SDF - Government Tax	₹6,000 (Fixed at ₹1,200/night)
Flights (Metro Hubs to Paro)	₹32,000 – ₹55,000
Accommodation:	₹60,000 – ₹1,50,000+
Food	₹ 15,000 - ₹ 25,000
Transport	₹ 25,000
Activities	₹10,000 - ₹ 15,000
Shopping	₹10,000

Flight Cost from India to Bhutan

Before you plan the trip, make sure you have an understanding about the average cost of Bhutan trip cost. Your entire cost will change if you choose to fly and so you must check out the quick overview of flight cost here so that you can plan your trip accordingly. 

It is true that if you choose to fly, your trip cost will spike but you would be glad to know that Bhutan is directly connected to major Indian hubs such as Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra and Gaya. The approximate cost for a Bhutan trip when it comes to flights is totally dependent on the departure city and how early you book your ticket. You can find Bhutan’s national carriers and for round-trip to Paro International Airport, you can expect that prices may fall in few regions such as : 

• Flights from nearby Hubs - Kolkata, Bagdogra and Guwahati - ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 
• Flights from major metro hubs (Delhi, Gaya): ₹30,000 – ₹45,000 

However, during the months like March to May and September to November which are also the peak traveling months, the prices could spike by at least 20-30% because of limited seat capacity. This will ultimately increase your Bhutan package cost. So if you don’t want to overspend make sure you either book on an advance basis or simply or don’t travel during these months. 

Accommodation Cost in Bhutan 

Get ready to witness an amazing blend of culture, tradition and unmatchable hospitality. Bhutan  welcomes you to stay in top-class properties . It totally depends on your requirement and budget whether you wish to stay in an ultra-luxurious homestay or wish to book a budget-friendly room. If you wish to cover Bhutan on a budget you must keep your accommodation cost in control. Yes, there are innumerable things to do in Bhutan but you must prepare your own budget first. Here’s a quick overview of the hotel prices. 

Category	Approximate Price
Homestays/ Heritage Lodges	₹1,500 – ₹2,500
Budget Hotels	₹3000 – ₹4500
Mid-Range Hotels - 3*	₹5000 – ₹ 7000
Luxury Resorts - 4* or 5*	₹ 10,000– ₹20,000
Ultra-Luxury Wellness Sanctuary	₹ 20,000 – ₹50,000

However, the prices might keep varying according to the destination which would also have an impact on average cost on a Bhutan trip and so you must plan accordingly. Make sure you check out the prices and then only book any hotel in Bhutan so that you don’t end up overspending. 

Food and Meal Cost in Bhutan

The Bhutanese cuisine is extremely comforting and delicious and maybe that’s why travelers love to taste the delicacies without any doubt. The amusing blend of fiery chilies, fresh and organic veggies, red rice, rich cheese makes this cuisine, everyone’s favourite. There are many options available however you must dive deep and find out the average meal cost here. 

Type of Meal	Approximate Cost
Premium fine dining - 5* luxurious resorts	₹2,500 – ₹6,000+
Local Eatery/ Dzong-View Cafe plate	₹150 – ₹350
Indian Restaurants	₹500 – ₹1,200
Standard Tourist Restaurant Meal	₹400 – ₹800

Make sure you include the breakdown of daily food budget in your Bhutan Package cost. 

Budget conscious Travelers	₹500 – ₹1100
Mid- range travelers	₹1400 - ₹2000
Luxurious travelers	₹ 5000 - ₹10,000

So, before you finalize your Bhutan package cost, make sure you have complete information about the price range of food items. 

Check out a few famous food items of Bhutan. 

1. Ema Datshi - Chilli and Cheese Stew
2. Kewa Datshi - Potato and Cheese
3. Shakam Paa - Dried Beef cooked with chillies 
4. Momos - Bhutanese-style dumplings 
5. Suja - Traditional Bhutanese butter tea

You must know that many mid-range and luxury Bhutan tour packages offer you meals including breakfast and dinner which is pre-included at your hotel. 

Local Transport Cost in Bhutan

If you go through the Bhutan travel guide, you would get to know about the terrains and roads of Bhutan. Eventually it is because of the rugged and mountainous roads, public transport is required here. There are public buses which are designed for locals and mostly are scheduled. However, if you hire a taxi or private tourist vehicle with a driver that would be great but yes this might increase the Bhutan trip cost for couple or family or anyone who is traveling. 

Mode of transport	Cost - Approximate
Local town taxis - Short trip to Paro/ Thimphu	₹150 – ₹350 per ride
Shared Intercity Taxis - Budget-friendly	₹500 – ₹800 per ride
Private Sedan car & Chauffeur- Per day hire	₹4000 – ₹6000 per ride
Private SUV (Innova & Xylo) - per day hire for comfort	₹6500 – ₹8000 per ride
Coaster Bus/ Tempo Travelers (Per day for larger groups)	₹ 7500 – ₹ 14000 per ride

So, next time you are calculating the cost to visit Bhutan, you must also be sure that you have calculated the transportation cost properly. 

Sightseeing & Activity Cost in Bhutan

Bhutan invites you to be a part of a culturally enriched and nature-centric itinerary. All your days would be spent in exploring the beauty and charm of cliffside monasteries (Dzongs), seraphic valleys, alpine hiking trails and bustling local festivals. If you wish to know about the Bhutan trip cost from India for couple for sightseeing, you can check out the details here. 

Popular Activities	Approximate cost
National Memorial Chorten - Thimphu	₹500
Tiger’s Nest Monastery Trek - Paro Taktsang Entry	₹1,000
Punakha Dzong Entry (The Palace of great happiness)	₹500
Punakha Suspension Bridge & River Rafting	₹1,500 – ₹3,000
Horse ride to Tiger’s Nest Cafeteria (One way)	₹700 – ₹1000
Traditional hot Stone Bath experience	₹ 1200– ₹ 2500
Simply Bhutan Living Museum - Included cultural show and local wine	₹1,000
Buddha Dordenma Great Statue - Thimphu	₹300

Note: Indian travelers do not require any visa, but yes they must get entry permission. You would require a valid Indian passport which must be valid for 6 months or an original voter ID card. Driving license and Aadhar card is not required for entry. 

Shopping Budget in Bhutan 

Bhutan is  a beautiful country and offers you extensive choices for shopping. You can explore beautiful and traditional handicraft stores, bustling local markets, artisan workshops and souvenirs shops. So, before you fix your Bhutan trip cost from India, make sure you keep a budget especially for Bhutan.

Shopping Style	Cost
Heavy shopper	₹ 15,000 - ₹ 30,000
Moderate	₹ 5000- ₹ 30,000
Minimal	₹ 1500 - ₹ 3000

So, before planning make sure you keep a separate budget for shopping in Bhutan. Few of the best items that you shouldn’t miss are Thai silk, handicrafts, fashionable items, spa products and much more. 

Trip cost of Bhutan’s 5-day itinerary

Here’s an overview of the popular Bhutan itinerary. You can check out the details here. 

Destination & Activities	Stay	Food	Transport and sightseeing	Other costs	Total Per day
Arrival in Paro and then transfer to Thimphu, then you can visit local market, Buddha Dordenma	₹2,500	₹1000	₹1500	₹ 1200 (SDF)	₹ 6,200
Get to explore Thimphu, Memorial Chorten, folk Heritage, Museum and Tashichho Dzong and other spots	₹2,500	₹1000	₹1500	₹ 1200 (SDF)	₹6,200
Drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass, visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong	₹2,500	₹1000	₹ 2000	₹ 1200 (SDF)	₹6,700
Return to Paro, Visit other attractions like National Museum	₹2,500	₹ 800	₹1500	₹ 1200 (SDF)	₹6,200
Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s nest), departure	₹2,500	₹1500	Entry Fees - ₹ 500	₹2,800
5 Days / 4 Nights Bhutan Trip	₹10,000	₹ 4,800	₹8,000	₹6,500	₹29,300

Common Tips to remember to curtail Bhutan Trip cost from India

To reduce Bhutan trip cost, you must remember these pointers : 

1. Try to travel during shoulder or off-season
2. Cross over via land than flying
3. Try to travel into small groups
4. Choose authentic Bhutanese homestays
5. Dine at local town eateries
6. You must purchase a local tourist SIM Card

Conclusion

Unquestionably, Bhutan is one of the most attractive and stunning destinations. However, before you plan your trip make sure you find out more about the best time to visit Bhutan and a budget breakdown. Hopefully, reading this blog was worth your effort and time as it clearly throws light on the complete budget-breakdown of trip cost of Bhutan from India. Once you are aware about the costing, it would be easier for you to plan everything without any fuss. 

FAQs

What is the average Bhutan Trip Cost from India?

The approximate cost of Bhutan Trip cost from India is ₹18,000 and ₹80,000+ per person 

Do Indians need a visa to visit Bhutan?

No, it is not required

Is there any SDF for Indians?

Yes, there is SDF for Indians. 

What is the cheapest way to travel from India to Bhutan?

One of the budget-friendly options is to travel by train to Hasimara or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) and then you can take a taxi or bus to the Bhutan border town of Phuentsholing and then continue the journey. 

Is Bhutan expensive as compared to other international destinations?

As compared to international destinations like Europe, Japan and other countries, Bhutan is cheap.