There are no direct flights to Bhutan from the US. Bhutan's only international airport is at Paro, and it is served only by the two Bhutanese airlines, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, from cities in South and South-East Asia. So how do you fly to Bhutan? You take a long-haul flight to one of those cities, then a separate flight to Paro.
Choosing a Connecting City
| Hub | Flights to Paro (Drukair, Nov 2026) | Flight time to Paro | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (BKK) | Several a week, non-stop and one-stop; Bhutan Airlines too | About 3h15 non-stop | Most flexible; works from the US West and East Coasts |
| Delhi (DEL) | Six days a week (not Wednesday) | About 2h20 | East Coast travellers via Europe or the Gulf |
| Singapore (SIN) | Tue, Thu, Sun via Guwahati | About 6h15 | Travellers already flying via Singapore |
| Kathmandu (KTM) | Daily | About 1h05 | Combining Nepal and Bhutan |
Days and times are from Drukair's November 2026 schedule and change through the year. Always check the current schedule on drukair.com.bt before you book. Flight times are worked out from the published local times.
Via Bangkok
Bangkok is the usual choice. Fly from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York or another US city to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, typically with one stop in East Asia or the Middle East, then fly Drukair or Bhutan Airlines to Paro. Many Paro flights leave Bangkok very early, so plan a night at an airport hotel. See flights from Bangkok.
Via Delhi
Delhi works well from the East Coast. Drukair's Delhi–Paro flight leaves at 12:30 and arrives at 15:20. If you need to leave the airport or change terminals in Delhi, check whether you need an Indian visa or transit visa for your passport.
Via Singapore
If you are flying through Singapore, Drukair's Singapore–Paro service stops in Guwahati and arrives in Paro in the late afternoon. See flights from Singapore.
Via Kathmandu
Combine Bhutan with Nepal by flying into Kathmandu, then taking Drukair's daily Kathmandu–Paro flight, about an hour.
How to Book
Book directly with the airline: Drukair and Bhutan Airlines both sell tickets online, with online check-in and booking management. Drukair also lists a US sales agent, AirlinePros International in Miami, on its contact page.
We don't book flights for our clients. Choose your flights first (or hold a booking), send us the dates, and we plan the tour around your arrival and departure in Paro. Our guide meets you at the airport.
Paro airport only operates in daylight and in good visibility (Department of Air Transport), so weather can delay flights, especially in the monsoon. Leave a buffer between your Bhutan flight and any long-haul connection, ideally a night.
Separate tickets
Your long-haul ticket and your flight to Paro will almost always be separate bookings. If your long-haul flight is late and you miss the Paro flight, you will have to buy a new ticket. A night in the hub city, on the way out and on the way home, avoids this.
Sort Out Your Visa and SDF Before You Fly
You cannot fly to Paro without a Bhutan visa approval. Everyone except Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals needs one. The visa costs US$40 and is issued online once your trip and the Sustainable Development Fee (US$100 per person per night, set until 31 August 2027) are paid (Department of Tourism). If you travel with us, we apply for the visa and pay the SDF for you; you show the approval letter at check-in and receive the visa stamp on arrival in Paro.
International visitors must also have a licensed guide for the whole stay, so book your tour before your flights are final. See our Bhutan visa guide and Bhutan tours and holidays.
Sample Plan: US to Bhutan via Bangkok
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Depart the US (overnight flight). |
| Day 2 | Arrive Bangkok in the evening. Night at an airport hotel. |
| Day 3 | Early flight Bangkok → Paro. Meet your guide; drive to Thimphu. |
| Days 4–9 | Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and Paro, ending with the Tiger's Nest hike. |
| Day 10 | Fly Paro → Bangkok, then connect to your US flight or stay a night. |
US travellers usually choose a 7–10 day tour once in Bhutan, because of the long journey. See our Bhutan tours and holidays and what a Bhutan trip costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fly directly to Bhutan from the US?
No. There are no flights from the US to Bhutan. You fly to an Asian hub such as Bangkok, Delhi, Singapore or Kathmandu, then take Drukair or Bhutan Airlines to Paro.
How do you fly to Bhutan?
Book a tour with a licensed Bhutanese operator, then book a long-haul flight to Bangkok, Delhi, Singapore or Kathmandu and a separate Drukair or Bhutan Airlines flight to Paro, the country's only international airport.
What is the best way to get to Bhutan from the US?
For most US travellers, via Bangkok: it has the most flights to Paro on both Bhutanese airlines, and the non-stop flight takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. Plan a night in Bangkok before the early-morning Paro flight.
How long does it take to get to Bhutan from the US?
Allow two days each way: a long-haul flight to Asia, usually a night in the hub city, then a short flight to Paro (about 1–3.5 hours depending on the hub, or about 6 hours from Singapore).
Do US citizens need a visa for Bhutan?
Yes. US citizens need a Bhutan visa (US$40), issued online once the trip and the Sustainable Development Fee (US$100 per night) are paid. You need the approval letter to board your flight to Paro.