Overview
Bhutan is the Himalayan kingdom that does tourism on its own terms — fortress-monasteries, prayer-flag ridgelines and quiet forested valleys, with mass travel deliberately kept at bay. There are no direct flights from the UK, and only two airlines are permitted to land at its single international airport, so the journey needs a little planning. This guide explains how UK travellers reach Bhutan, when to fly and how to keep the cost down.
Best time to fly to Bhutan
Spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–November) are the prime seasons. Autumn gives the clearest mountain views and settled weather for the walk up to the Tiger's Nest; spring brings rhododendron colour and the vivid Paro tshechu festival. The summer monsoon (June–August) is lush but wet, with low cloud and a higher chance of delays into Paro. Winter is cold at altitude yet crisp, quiet and good value, with the lower valleys around Punakha staying mild. Fares track these seasons closely, so check the When to book chart above before fixing dates.
Main gateway cities & airports
Bhutan has one international airport: Paro International (PBH), set in a steep valley at around 2,200m and known for one of aviation's trickiest approaches. Since nothing flies direct from Europe, UK travellers connect through a regional hub — most often Delhi, Bangkok or Kathmandu, and sometimes Kolkata, Singapore or Dhaka — for the final hop to Paro. Small domestic airfields at Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula handle internal flights only.
Airlines and routes
Only Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines serve Paro. From London, a typical routing is Heathrow to Delhi (around 8.5 hours nonstop with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic or Air India) or Heathrow to Bangkok (about 11.5 hours), then Drukair or Bhutan Airlines onward to Paro. From Manchester and the regional airports, most travellers connect via Dubai with Emirates or Doha with Qatar Airways to Delhi or Kathmandu, then join the Paro flight. Allow a full day door to door, ideally with an overnight in the hub city.
Popular places to visit in Bhutan
- Paro: home of the cliff-hugging Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery and the handsome Rinpung Dzong.
- Thimphu: the small, walkable capital with no traffic lights, the giant Buddha Dordenma and a lively weekend market.
- Punakha: a warm, low-lying valley with Bhutan's most beautiful dzong at the meeting of two rivers.
- Phobjikha Valley: a broad glacial bowl where black-necked cranes winter below Gangtey monastery.
- Bumthang: the spiritual heartland, dotted with some of the kingdom's oldest temples.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Bhutan
- Compare gateways — feeding in via Delhi or Kolkata is often cheaper into Paro, though the long-haul leg from the UK can be better value to Bangkok.
- Travel in winter or the summer shoulder for lower long-haul fares and far quieter trails.
- Book the Paro sector as early as you can; the two airlines have limited seats and festival weeks sell out months ahead.
- Use the price charts on this page to spot cheaper dates, and favour midweek departures.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa for Bhutan, applied for online before travel along with the Sustainable Development Fee (currently USD 100 per adult, per night); a licensed Bhutanese operator usually arranges this alongside hotels and guiding. Visa approval is issued electronically and must be in place before your Paro flight is confirmed. The currency is the ngultrum, pegged to and interchangeable with the Indian rupee — carry cash outside the main towns, as cards work only in larger hotels and shops. Book the long-haul and Drukair legs together and well ahead; see the When to book chart above for timing.
