Last checked: November 2026
Most visitors get around Bhutan by private car with a driver and guide arranged by a licensed tour operator. There are no trains, so the choice is road travel or a short domestic flight from Paro. This guide explains each option, gives realistic drive times and lists the mistakes that waste the most time.
How Do You Get Around Bhutan?
You get around Bhutan mainly by road. A car and driver come with most tour packages, and the one main highway links the west to the east. Short domestic flights from Paro reach Bumthang, Yonphula and Gelephu, which are long drives away. Buses and taxis exist, but they mainly serve local passengers.
This page covers travel once you’re inside the country. For arrivals and airport transfers, see our flights to Bhutan guide.
Is There a Train in Bhutan?
No. The tour operator Little Bhutan says Bhutan has one lateral highway and no internal rail, so every journey inside the country is by road or by air. Plan around road and weather conditions, not a rail timetable.
Domestic Flights Within Bhutan
Drukair runs the domestic routes from Paro. Its destinations page lists Bathpalathang Airport at Bumthang in central Bhutan and a weekly Paro to Gelephu flight in the south. Little Bhutan adds Yonphula in the east and gives rough frequencies of five weekly flights to Bumthang, three to Yonphula and one to Gelephu. Schedules change by season, so check the airline before you book hotels around a flight.
- Flights are short, under an hour from Paro, according to Bhutanese operators.
- The aircraft are small, with around 40 seats according to Windhorse Tours, so seats go quickly in festival months.
- Flights depend on weather, so leave a buffer before any international departure.
In August 2026, Air India and Drukair announced an interline partnership. Press reports say it allows one ticket from Air India’s network through Delhi to Paro and onward to Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula. Confirm what your booking covers with the airlines.
Road Travel and Typical Drive Times
Distances mislead in Bhutan because the roads climb and wind, so plan by hours, not kilometres. The table uses figures from Bhutanese tour operators, which differ by a few minutes between sources. Rain, roadworks and landslides add delays.
| Route | Distance | Typical drive time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paro to Thimphu | 55 to 65 km | 1 to 1.5 hours | The main western corridor |
| Thimphu to Punakha | 72 to 77 km | 2.5 to 3 hours | Crosses Dochula Pass, above 3,000 m |
| Punakha to Trongsa | About 140 to 150 km | About 5 hours | Crosses Pele La Pass |
| Trongsa to Bumthang | About 68 km | 2 to 2.5 hours | Gateway to central Bhutan |
| Bumthang to Mongar | About 198 km | 7 to 8 hours | A full day of driving |
| Thimphu to Phuentsholing | About 176 km | About 6 hours | Border town with India |
| Paro to Haa | 65 to 70 km | 1.5 to 3 hours | Sources differ; crosses Chele La |
Thimphu to Bumthang by road is roughly 8 to 10 hours of driving, according to one operator, and most itineraries split it with a night in Punakha or Trongsa. The flight from Paro takes under an hour, which is why flying suits short trips.
Can Tourists Drive or Rent a Car in Bhutan?
Traffic drives on the left, and vehicles are right-hand drive. Most operators and travel guides say visitors can’t rent a car and drive themselves, and a vehicle with a driver comes with the standard tour package. Druk Asia says self-drive is technically possible with permission from the transport authority. Because sources disagree, confirm the rules with your operator or with the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority (BCTA), which handles licences and was formerly called the Road Safety and Transport Authority. Its licensing page sets out the driving licence rules.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Apps
Taxis run in Thimphu, Paro and other towns. Travel guides report that they don’t use meters, so you agree the fare before you get in. We found no sign that international ride-hailing apps operate in Bhutan, so don’t plan around one. Ask your hotel to call a licensed taxi, and carry small notes in ngultrum, because cards aren’t always accepted.
Intercity Buses and Shared Transport
Bhutan Post and private operators run intercity buses between towns such as Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Phuentsholing, according to the travel site Hello Travel. These services mainly carry local passengers. Ireland says visitors must use approved tourism providers, and most visitors on the guided system ride in their operator’s vehicle instead. Ask your operator before you plan any leg by public bus, and expect slower travel and limited luggage space.
City Public Transport and Travel Cards
Bhutan has no metro and no tram. Thimphu has a limited city bus network, and we found no travel card designed for visitors. In practice, visitors walk around town centres, take short taxi rides or travel with their driver.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Choose a domestic flight if you have a short trip and want to reach Bumthang, the east or the south without a full day on the road.
- Choose a private car and driver if you want to stop at passes, dzongs and villages. Most itineraries work this way.
- Choose the road for scenery if you want to cross high passes, such as Dochula between Thimphu and Punakha.
- Choose a public bus only if you want the lowest fare and your operator confirms it fits your permits and plans.
Common Mistakes
- Planning by distance instead of hours, then packing too many valleys into one day.
- Travelling at night. The UK advises avoiding it because road accidents are a major cause of injury and death.
- Booking hotels around a domestic flight day with no buffer. Frequencies have changed before, and flights depend on weather.
- Using unlicensed vehicles, or agreeing a taxi fare after the ride starts.
- Ignoring the monsoon. Ireland describes frequent landslides and hazardous mountain roads, so ask about conditions for your dates.
Short Checklist
- Confirm that the vehicle, driver and guide are included in your operator’s package.
- Ask for the drive time and main stops for each day.
- Check the Drukair domestic schedule for your dates and keep a buffer.
- Carry small ngultrum notes for taxis.
- Pack motion-sickness tablets if winding roads affect you.
Official Safety Advice
The US State Department lists Bhutan at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions (updated 4 September 2026). The UK government names road accidents as a major cause of injury and death, and medical services are limited in rural areas. See the Bhutan travel guide for the full summary and the best time to visit Bhutan for seasonal road conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bhutan have trains?
No. Bhutan has one lateral highway and no internal railway, according to Little Bhutan. Every journey inside the country is by road or on a domestic flight from Paro. Plan each leg by car, bus or air, and allow extra time for mountain roads and weather.
Can tourists drive in Bhutan?
Most operators say visitors can’t rent a car and drive, and a driver comes with the tour vehicle. Druk Asia says self-drive is technically possible with permission from the transport authority. Check with your operator or the BCTA first, and remember that traffic drives on the left.
How long is the drive from Paro to Thimphu?
Operators give about one to one and a half hours for roughly 55 to 65 kilometres, and Drukair puts the airport to Thimphu trip at 80 minutes. Allow extra time for roadworks, weather and photo stops.
Are there domestic flights in Bhutan?
Yes. Drukair flies from Paro to Bumthang, Yonphula and Gelephu on small aircraft, with schedules that change by season. Check the Drukair website for current days, and keep a buffer because flights depend on weather.
Is it safe to travel by road at night?
The UK government advises avoiding night travel in Bhutan because road accidents are a major cause of injury and death. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, so plan drives to finish before dark and ask your driver about conditions.