How to Reach Thimphu

India to Thimphu flight is the best way to get to the city. But there are not many Indian cities that have direct flights to the airport in Paro, which is the closest and only international airport in Bhutan. Kolkata is the only city with daily flights from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport to Paro airport, operated by Druk Air. Druk Air is the flag-bearer national carrier of Bhutan. Their tails have the iconic Druk Dragon of Bhutan, also seen on their flag. Mumbai, Delhi and Bagdogra airports too have direct flights, operated by Druk Airways. But they operate only twice or thrice a week. Some of these flights, mainly Mumbai and Delhi to Thimphu (Paro), have long layovers at other countries like Bangkok or Kathmandu, which is wastage of time and money. So if you cannot avail or afford a direct flight to Paro from any other city, catch a flight to Kolkata and from there fly to Paro in 1.30 hours without any hassle, and then take a taxi or hired car to Thimphu which takes another hour and half. The whole journey gets over in 3 hours as opposed to long layovers. This is the best and most convenient way to get to Bhutan from any Indian city.

There is no rail line that connects India with Bhutan. But there are Indian Railway stations which will get you real close. Hasimara station in North Bengal is only 17 kilometres from the Bhutan border at Phuentsholing, which means it is around 180 kilometres away from Thimphu. Hasimara can be reached from Sealdah station of Kolkata or NJP station of Siliguri. To go from Hasimara to Thimphu, one can avail taxis or private cars or bus service, which takes a little more than 5 hours.

The only state which has multiple land routes to Thimphu is West Bengal. There is Kolkata to Bhutan Volvo bus service from Esplanade area every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday leaving at 7 PM. Driving in a personal car from Kolkata to Thimphu will be a little too much. But if someone is going from Guwahati or Siliguri to Thimphu, the few hours road journey is worth it for all the money saved. The routes from West Bengal take the tourists through the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing border entry. From there, Phuentsholing to Thimphu bus service or car ride takes around 6 hours. There are Bagdogra to Thimphu and Siliguri to Bhutan bus service as well from Tenzing Norgay Bus Stop or NJP station.