If you are travelling to Bhutan from India, you don’t necessarily have to fly into Paro. You can also enter Bhutan by road through one of its land border crossings with India.

For travellers coming from West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam or other parts of northeast India, travelling to Bhutan by road can be both convenient and an interesting way to begin your journey.

Instead of arriving directly in the mountains, you start in the warmer southern foothills and gradually climb towards Thimphu, Paro and Bhutan’s higher valleys.

For most first-time visitors, Phuentsholing is the easiest and most practical road entry point into Bhutan.

This guide explains where you can cross the India-Bhutan border, what documents you need, how permits work and what to expect when entering Bhutan by road.

Latest update: 22 August 2026

Tourist immigration permit services in Phuentsholing have moved back to the newly renovated Tourist Service Centre on the ground floor of the Regional Immigration Office building. The temporary tourist immigration arrangements at the Pedestrian Terminal have been discontinued.

If you are entering Bhutan through Phuentsholing, this is now the location for tourist-related immigration permit services.

Can I enter Bhutan from India by road?

Yes.

Bhutan has four official road entry points from India:

• Phuentsholing, in western Bhutan

• Samtse, in western Bhutan

• Gelephu, in south-central Bhutan

• Samdrup Jongkhar, in eastern Bhutan

Which border crossing you should use depends on where you are coming from in India and where you want to travel in Bhutan.

If this is your first trip to Bhutan and you plan to visit Thimphu, Paro and Punakha, Phuentsholing will usually be the most convenient option.

Which is the best road entry point for Bhutan?

For most travellers entering from West Bengal, Sikkim and the Siliguri area, we recommend Phuentsholing.

Phuentsholing sits directly across the border from Jaigaon in West Bengal.

The two towns meet at the India-Bhutan border, making this one of the busiest and most convenient gateways into Bhutan.

From Phuentsholing, you can continue by road towards Thimphu and then onwards to Paro, Punakha and other parts of western Bhutan.

How do I get to Phuentsholing from India?

There are several ways to reach the India-Bhutan border.

From Bagdogra Airport

If you are flying within India, Bagdogra Airport is one of the most convenient airports for reaching Phuentsholing.

You can travel from Bagdogra by private vehicle to Jaigaon and cross into Phuentsholing.

If you are arranging your Bhutan journey through a tour operator, ask whether your transfer from Bagdogra can be arranged as part of your trip. This makes the journey much easier, particularly if you are travelling with luggage or children.

From New Jalpaiguri Railway Station

If you are travelling by train, New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) is another convenient transport hub.

From NJP, you can continue by road towards Jaigaon and Phuentsholing.

From Kolkata

If you are starting in Kolkata, you can fly to Bagdogra and continue by road, travel by train towards the Siliguri/NJP area or arrange a longer overland journey.

For most travellers, flying from Kolkata to Bagdogra followed by a road transfer is the more comfortable option if they specifically want to enter Bhutan overland.

What happens when I reach the India-Bhutan border?

When you arrive at Jaigaon, you will cross the border into Phuentsholing and complete the applicable Bhutan immigration formalities.

The requirements depend on your nationality.

This is important because Indian nationals and foreign nationals travelling to Bhutan through India have different entry requirements.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for Bhutan?

No.

Indian nationals do not need a Bhutan visa. Instead, you need an entry permit.

You can apply for your permit before travelling or obtain a permit on arrival at the port of entry.

Although permits are available on arrival, applying beforehand can save time at the border, particularly during busy travel periods.

If you are travelling with a Bhutanese tour operator, they can also assist with processing your permit before your trip.

What documents do Indian tourists need?

Indian nationals should travel with:

• a valid Indian passport, or

• an Indian Voter Identity Card

For Indian nationals under 18, a birth certificate or passport can be used and the child must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

If you apply for the permit online, you will also need a recent digital passport-size photograph.

It is a good idea to arrange your documents before travelling rather than waiting until you arrive at the border.

Can foreign tourists enter Bhutan from India by road?

Yes.

You do not have to be an Indian citizen to enter Bhutan through its land border with India.

For example, an international visitor travelling around India can continue to Bhutan overland through Phuentsholing.

However, your Bhutan entry requirements are determined by your nationality, not by the country you are entering from.

Most foreign nationals need to obtain a Bhutan visa before travelling. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your intended date of departure from Bhutan.

You should also check your Indian visa carefully if your itinerary requires you to enter India again after leaving Bhutan.

This is particularly important if you plan a journey such as:

India → Bhutan → India

Make sure your Indian visa allows the necessary re-entry before finalising your travel arrangements.

How much is the Bhutan SDF for Indian tourists?

Indian nationals travelling to Bhutan currently pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of Nu. 1,200 per person per night, or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees.

For children:

• children aged 6 to under 12 pay Nu./INR 600 per night

• children under 6 do not pay SDF

Different SDF rates apply to visitors of other nationalities.

As Bhutan’s tourism policies can change, it is always worth checking the current SDF when you book your journey.

Important Phuentsholing immigration update for 2026

If you are entering Bhutan through Phuentsholing, there has been a recent change to where tourist immigration services are provided.

The Regional Immigration Office, Phuentsholing, announced that from 22 August 2026, tourist immigration permit services will operate from the:

Tourist Service Centre
Ground Floor, Regional Immigration Office Building
Phuentsholing, Bhutan

The temporary arrangements at the Pedestrian Terminal have been discontinued.

This follows the reopening of the newly renovated Tourist Service Centre.

If you are travelling later in 2026 or beyond, we still recommend checking the latest immigration information shortly before your journey, as procedures and service locations can change.

What happens after I enter Bhutan at Phuentsholing?

This is where the journey becomes particularly interesting.

Phuentsholing is in Bhutan’s subtropical south. Once you leave the town and begin travelling north, the road starts climbing into the mountains.

As you gain altitude, you will notice the landscape changing around you. The warmer southern vegetation gradually gives way to forests and mountain scenery.

For travellers entering Bhutan for the first time, this gradual transition can be a memorable introduction to the country.

Most visitors entering at Phuentsholing continue towards Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital.

From there, you can easily incorporate Paro and Punakha into a classic western Bhutan itinerary.

Should I stay overnight in Phuentsholing?

That depends largely on when you arrive.

If you reach the border early and your immigration formalities are completed without delay, you may prefer to continue towards Thimphu.

However, if you arrive later in the day, staying overnight in Phuentsholing can make the journey considerably more relaxed.

You can complete your arrival formalities, have a good night’s rest and begin your drive into the mountains the following morning.

We generally recommend avoiding very tight schedules on a border-crossing day. Allowing some flexibility makes for a much more comfortable start to your Bhutan holiday.

Can I drive my own car into Bhutan?

If you are thinking about bringing your own Indian-registered vehicle into Bhutan, check the current vehicle entry requirements before travelling.

For most international tourists, the easier option is to have a vehicle and driver arranged for their journey in Bhutan.

Self-drive rental cars are not available in Bhutan.

Having a local driver also makes travelling considerably easier. Bhutan’s roads are mountainous and travel times can be longer than distances on a map might suggest.

Do I need a guide to travel around Bhutan?

Bhutan has made travel around the country easier by removing the old route permit requirement for tourists travelling through most areas.

Tourists accompanied by a certified Bhutanese guide can generally travel throughout the country without obtaining the former route permits, except in areas designated as restricted or prohibited.

Special requirements may apply to certain trekking routes and restricted areas.

If your trip is being arranged through a Bhutanese tour operator, these logistics can be taken care of as part of your itinerary.

What about entering Bhutan through Gelephu?

Gelephu is an official land entry point in south-central Bhutan and may be convenient if you are travelling from Assam or if your itinerary focuses on central Bhutan.

The best entry point should be chosen according to your overall itinerary rather than simply selecting the nearest border crossing.

Can I enter through Samdrup Jongkhar?

Yes.

Samdrup Jongkhar, in eastern Bhutan, is another official road entry point from India.

It can be particularly interesting for travellers planning a longer journey through eastern and central Bhutan.

For example, rather than travelling back along the same route, a carefully planned itinerary could allow you to enter Bhutan through one part of the country and leave through another, subject to the immigration and travel arrangements applicable at the time of your visit.

What about Samtse?

Samtse is Bhutan’s fourth official road entry point from India and is located in western Bhutan.

For most first-time visitors travelling to Thimphu, Paro and Punakha, however, Phuentsholing is generally the more practical choice.

Is it better to fly to Bhutan or enter by road?

There isn’t one answer that works for everyone.

If you are flying internationally specifically to visit Bhutan, flying directly into Paro can be the simplest option.

But entering Bhutan by road makes a lot of sense if you are already travelling in India.

Consider entering by road if:

• you are visiting Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim or northeast India before Bhutan

• you are flying into Bagdogra

• you want to combine India and Bhutan in one holiday

• you prefer an overland journey

• you want to experience the changing landscape from Bhutan’s subtropical south to its Himalayan valleys

• you are planning a longer journey through different regions of Bhutan

You can also consider entering Bhutan by road and flying out from Paro, or doing the journey in reverse.

This can give you the experience of both Bhutan’s mountain roads and its famous flight into or out of Paro.

A sample road itinerary from India into Bhutan

For a first visit, a simple journey could look something like this:

Bagdogra → Phuentsholing → Thimphu → Punakha → Paro → fly out from Paro

This avoids having to return all the way to the Indian border and allows you to experience two very different ways of arriving in and departing from Bhutan.

If you have more time, your journey can extend into central or eastern Bhutan.

Is entering Bhutan by road worth it?

If it fits naturally with the rest of your journey, yes.

Flying into Paro is spectacular, but entering by road gives you a different perspective.

You see Bhutan change gradually as you travel from the southern border into the mountains. It also opens up interesting possibilities for combining Bhutan with neighbouring regions of India.

The key is to plan the journey properly.

Your best border crossing, transport arrangements and immigration requirements will depend on your nationality, where you are travelling from in India and where you want to go in Bhutan.

Planning your road journey to Bhutan

If you are considering travelling from India to Bhutan by road, we can help you work out the most practical route.

At Lhayul Tours, we can assist with your Bhutan itinerary, accommodation, local transport, guide and applicable tourist permit or visa arrangements.

When you contact us, simply tell us:

• where you will be travelling from in India

• your nationality

• your intended travel dates

• how many people are travelling

• how many days you would like to spend in Bhutan

• the places you are most interested in visiting

We can then suggest whether entering by road makes sense for your trip and which border crossing would work best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel from India to Bhutan by road?

Yes. Bhutan has four official road entry points from India: Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.

Which Bhutan border crossing is best from Bagdogra?

For travellers arriving at Bagdogra and planning to visit western Bhutan, Phuentsholing is generally the most practical land entry point.

Can Indian citizens enter Bhutan without a visa?

Yes. Indian nationals do not require a visa but must obtain an entry permit.

What documents do Indians need to enter Bhutan?

Indian nationals can use a valid Indian passport or Voter Identity Card. Different documentation provisions apply to children under 18.

Can I get my Bhutan permit at Phuentsholing?

Indian tourists are eligible for permits on arrival. However, applying in advance is recommended because it can reduce waiting time at the border.

Where is the tourist immigration office in Phuentsholing?

From 22 August 2026, tourist immigration permit services operate from the Tourist Service Centre on the ground floor of the Regional Immigration Office building in Phuentsholing.

How much is Bhutan’s SDF for Indian tourists?

The current SDF for Indian nationals is Nu. 1,200, or the equivalent in Indian rupees, per adult per night. Concessionary rates apply to children.

Can foreign tourists enter Bhutan through Phuentsholing?

Yes. International tourists can enter Bhutan by road from India, but must meet the visa requirements applicable to their nationality.

Can I arrange my Bhutan permit before arriving?

Yes. Indian tourists can apply before travelling, and a Bhutanese tour operator or hotel can also assist with the permit application.

Last updated: August 2026. Bhutan’s immigration requirements, Sustainable Development Fee and border procedures can change. We recommend confirming current requirements before travelling.

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