When you first reach Bhutan (especially if it’s your first Bhutan trip from India), it’s just… calm. Like, everything slows down a bit. The air is fresher than anywhere else, and you can actually feel yourself relax. It’s weirdly nice to just be there and not think about the usual chaos back home.
Indians who go usually say they feel safe, and honestly, the locals are so friendly. The towns are tiny, each one with its own little charm. You see monasteries everywhere, hills all around, and small cafes where you can just sit and do nothing for a while. No crowd, no noise… it just feels like a proper break from normal life.y so many Indians are planning trips to Bhutan these days. It’s just one of those places that makes you feel relaxed and happy without even trying.
That’s probably why so many Indians are planning trips to Bhutan these days. And yeah… before going, it really helps to know the permit rules. It just makes everything smoother and you don’t get stuck with last‑minute issues.
If you’re an Indian planning to travel to Bhutan from India, there are some specific permit rules you really should be aware of. Knowing these in advance helps you avoid surprises and makes the trip much smoother.
Important Bhutan Travel Permits
What Documents You Need to Enter Bhutan (for Indian Travellers)
1. Valid ID
Indians don’t need a visa to enter Bhutan, but you do need an entry permit. For that, you must carry either a valid Indian passport (with at least six months’ validity) or your original Voter ID card.
2. For Children
If you’re travelling with kids under 18, you’ll need their original birth certificate (in English) or their passport.
3. Photographs
Two recent passport-size photos are required when applying for the entry permit.
4. Travel Insurance
It’s mandatory — you need travel insurance for your stay in Bhutan. You can either arrange it from India or buy one from Bhutanese insurers once you arrive.
5. Stay Only in Certified Hotels
As per the immigration rules, you must stay in Department of Tourism-certified accommodation for your entire trip.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
As an Indian tourist, you pay INR 1,200 per person per night as the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). For children aged 6-12 years, there is a 50% concession, so they pay INR 600 per night. Children aged 5 years or below are exempt from this fee. It becomes a major part of your Bhutan travel cost.
If you’re just spending up to 24 hours in a Bhutanese border town (Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu, or Samdrup Jongkhar) and do not travel beyond the designated town area, you may be exempted from paying the SDF. That waiver comes from a 2024 SOP by the Bhutan Department of Immigration, and it’s valid till at least April 13, 2025.
Entry Permit vs Route Permit
When you first enter Bhutan, either by flying into Paro or coming by road through Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, or Samtse, you need to get an Entry Permit from the Bhutan Department of Immigration.
But here is the thing. This basic entry permit only lets you stay in Thimphu and Paro. So if you want to explore other parts of the country, this alone is not enough.
To travel beyond Thimphu and Paro, you will need a route permit.You can get this from the Immigration Office in Thimphu, but keep in mind it is only issued on working days, from Monday to Friday.
It is important to plan ahead.If you are arriving by road and want to see more of Bhutan, either schedule a visit to Thimphu to get the route permit or work with a DMC or guide who can help you with it.
Indian-Registered Vehicles Rules
If you’re thinking of driving your own Indian vehicle into Bhutan, this is what to know. Indian-registered vehicles are allowed within a designated zone without any extra charge.
But if you want to drive farther, beyond the Rinchending Check Post (Phuentsholing), there is a “Green Tax” of Nu 4,500 per day. You must register your vehicle on the Check Post Management System (CPMS) to pass certain checkpoints.
Documents needed for the vehicle:
- Driving license (original)
- Registration certificate (vehicle must not be more than 10 years old) Insurance paper for the vehicle
- Emission certificate / road-worthiness certificate
- If you’re not the owner but are driving the car, make sure to carry an authority letter from the owner.
Money / Currency Rules
When crossing the border, Indian tourists are allowed to carry Indian currency up to ₹25,000, but only in denominations of ₹500 or lower. Higher denominations (if carried) might be problematic, so it’s safer to carry smaller notes.
Some Important Tips
1. Apply permits on working days — especially the route permit. The Thimphu immigration office doesn’t issue permits on weekends, so don’t rely on getting a route permit on Saturday or Sunday.
2. Pre-register for border crossing if needed — for example, at the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing pedestrian terminal, there is an online pre-registration system.
3. Refund possibility for SDF — if you stay overnight in the border towns and your entry permit was made beforehand, you may be eligible for a refund of one night’s SDF.
4. Cash is very useful — while some places may accept cards, at the immigration counters it’s wiser to carry clean INR. There are instances where people report only cash is accepted.
5. Plan accommodation in certified hotels — since it is mandatory, confirm your bookings before arrival to avoid issues.
6. Use a DMC or local guide — especially if you are travelling beyond Thimphu/Paro. A local guide or Bhutan tour agency can help with route permits, insurance, and logistics.
Why These Rules Exist
All these rules, be it SDF or permits exist because Bhutan follows a high-value, low-volume tourism model. That means they want tourists who show respect, contribute to the country’s development, and don’t overburden its delicate ecosystem. The SDF especially helps Bhutan fund its environmental and social development, while restricting large-scale mass tourism that might become harm the country’s natural ecosystem.
If you’re an Indian traveller, knowing these permit rules before you go will save you a lot of headache.
Make sure you have your documents ready, budget for the SDF, plan if you want to travel beyond Paro and Thimphu, and take care of your vehicle permits if you’re driving. If all this sounds too confusing, you can always reach out to a travel DMC for Bhutan or a Bhutan tour agency—they will handle the formalities and even guide you through the best places to visit in Bhutan so your trip stays smooth.
That way, you get to enjoy Bhutan fully, without worrying about permits mid-trip.
