Bhutan: main airports
Bhutan has a single airport: Paro International Airport, the only air gateway to the Himalayan kingdom, among the most technically demanding airports in the world.
Bhutan: recommended activities
Bhutan: visa and entry requirements
All visitors (except citizens of India, Bangladesh and the Maldives) need a visa, obtainable only through a licensed tour operator or the official platform, with a visa fee of around 40 USD. In addition, there is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), currently 100 USD per person per night (reduced compared to the past, in effect until August 2027), which funds conservation programmes and infrastructure: children aged 6-12 pay half, under 6s are exempt. Citizens of India, Bangladesh and the Maldives pay a reduced SDF and do not need a visa in advance. Bhutan does not allow independent, unorganised tourism: almost all visitors travel with an itinerary booked through a local operator.
Bhutan: safety
Bhutan is among the safest countries in the world for tourists, with crime virtually absent. The main challenges relate to terrain (altitude, mountain trails) rather than personal safety: for the more demanding treks, adequate training and acclimatisation are advisable.
Bhutan: health situation
No vaccination is mandatory for those arriving from Europe. Altitude (Paro and Thimphu are above 2,200-2,300 metres, some treks exceed 4,000 metres) can cause altitude sickness: gradual acclimatisation is recommended, especially for those continuing to higher areas. Health facilities are limited outside the capital, Thimphu: insurance with possible evacuation is strongly recommended, especially for those trekking in remote areas.
Bhutan: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN), pegged to the Indian rupee; the Indian rupee is widely accepted as a parallel currency. Credit cards are accepted only at the main hotels and restaurants in Thimphu and Paro: cash remains essential elsewhere. There are no widespread ride-hailing apps: transport is generally organised by the tour operator with a dedicated driver, included in the travel package. For connectivity, the operators Bhutan Telecom (B-Mobile) and TashiCell sell prepaid tourist SIM cards, generally activatable at the airport or in Thimphu. Self-driving is rare among tourists: almost all visitors rely on the driver included in the organised tour.
