Bhutan for Indian travellers: permits, documents and the SDF
No visa, but you do need the right ID, an entry permit and a daily fee. Here is what to carry and what to expect at the Phuentsholing border.
Bhutan is one of the easiest international trips an Indian traveller can take: there is no visa and you can enter by road. A little paperwork goes a long way, though.
Documents to carry
- An original Indian passport with at least six months' validity, or an original Voter ID card.
- Two passport-size photographs.
- For anyone under 18: a passport or a birth certificate in English, travelling with a parent or legal guardian.
The entry permit
Instead of a visa, Indian nationals receive an entry permit from Bhutan's Department of Immigration. On a road trip it is issued at the Pedestrian Terminal in Phuentsholing. The standard permit covers Thimphu and Paro; visiting other districts such as Punakha needs an additional route permit, which we arrange along the way.
The Sustainable Development Fee
Bhutan charges Indian tourists a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of ₹1,200 per person per night. Children aged 5 and under are exempt and children aged 6 to 12 pay half. The fee is set by the Government of Bhutan and can change, so we confirm the current rate when we send your quote, where it appears as its own line.
Plan it with us
When you travel with us, the border formalities are built into day one and you cross with a driver who has done it many times. Send us your dates and we will take care of the rest.
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