Bhutan Travel Cost: How Much Does It Cost to Visit Bhutan in 2025?

Bhutan is a very unique tourist destination with unforgettable experiences for travelers. Tour costs in the Land of the Thunder Dragon depend on the length of the visit, the accommodation requirements, and other extra activities.

It’s not a cheap destination, but it is a high-value experience. The total cost of a Bhutan tour normally includes all the things you will need. As long as you do not opt for higher-rated accommodation or spend extra on eating out a lot, then the cost can be kept relatively low.

Here, we will break down the total cost of the tour to help you easily understand and estimate the cost of your trip to Bhutan.

The Daily Fee for a Bhutan Tour in 2025 (USD 100 p.p)

Bhutan’s visionary tourism policy is to focus on ‘High Value, Low Impact’ tourism. The country is strongly focused on preserving its cultural heritage and natural beauty, emphasizing environmentally friendly practices and social and cultural acceptance. To support that vision, tourists must pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) to visit the country.

From September 1st, 2023, the SDF was reduced to 100 USD per person per night. Funds raised through the fee are used for projects that promote Bhutan’s development. They are used to improve infrastructure, provide free healthcare and education, and preserve cultural traditions. Children between 6 and 12 years old are charged 50% of the SDF, and children under 5 are exempt.

Bhutan Visa Cost (USD 40 p.p)

All travelers to Bhutan, except for visitors from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, need to arrange a visa for travel. The visa costs 40 USD and is valid for a stay of up to 90 days.

The procedure of Bhutan Visa is different from most other countries. You have to apply online after booking a tour through a registered local travel agency. Once the application is processed, you will receive a Visa Clearance Letter. The visa is stamped into your passport at the airport, after presenting the letter to the immigration officials. The entire process can take up to three weeks, so it is best to start planning at least a month in advance.

Visa Process:
1)Book your Bhutan tour through a local travel agency and make the full payment.
2) Send a scanned, color copy of your passport and passport-sized photograph to your travel agency.
3) Print your visa clearance letter and store it with your travel documents.
4) Present the visa clearance letter at Paro International Airport when you arrive.

Bhutan Tour Package Cost

Bhutan is packed with popular attractions around the country. The average cost for ticket prices is around 13 USD. These include places like Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful in Bhutan, the National Memorial Chorten, an iconic landmark in Thimpu, and Kyichu Lhakhang, a Himalayan Buddhist temple. However, the ticket for Tiger’s Nest Monastery costs 25 USD.

Your Bhutan tour package will include all domestic transfers with a private vehicle suitable for your group size. Fees for a Bhutanese tour guide and professional driver are also included in the package. Tipping is not mandatory but is customary and appreciated when you receive good service. Tips are not included in the tour package and must be paid separately. Depending on your group size, a tip of 10-15 USD per day is appropriate for tour guides and 5-10 USD per day for drivers.

Bhutan Hotel Cost (USD 40 to over USD 1,000)

There is a wide range of accommodations for you to choose from in Bhutan. For most tours, the hotel is included in the overall cost and based on the standard 3-star hotels that are the main places for tourists to stay. The average cost for standard accommodations is 40 USD per night.

Bhutan also has some great luxury hotels in several cities across the country, including such delightful hotels as the COMO Uma in Paro, the Taj Tashi Hotel in Thimphu, the Le Meridien Hotel in Thimphu, the Have Resort in Paro, and the famous Amankora Hotels, which can be found in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, and Bumthang. Four-star hotels range in price from around 80 to 200 USD per night, while the top luxury hotels can cost up to 800-1000 a night or more.

If you want to upgrade your accommodations, feel free to let us know when inquire about your trip to Bhutan. The upgrade cost will be added to the overall tour cost. It’s possible to upgrade after arriving in Bhutan, but you can secure better prices by booking in advance.

Extra Bhutan Tour Cost for Add-on Activities

Exciting extra activities beyond the tour itinerary can be arranged at additional cost. These give you a chance for a deeper and more immersive experience of Bhutanese culture and traditions.

Horse Riding to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (12-18 USD)

Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the top things to do in Bhutan. Usually, you trek to the amazing location and climb to the monastery, but you can travel on horseback for an exciting experience. Horse riding can take you all the way to the halfway viewpoint. Prices vary by season, but a one-way ride usually costs between 12-18 USD.

Cooking class in Paro Farm House (25 USD Per Person)

Cooking classes show you how to prepare local Bhutanese cuisine in a class with a local Bhutanese cook. You can learn about the influences of other cuisines and cultures on Bhutanese cooking, and the impressive use of chilies in just about every dish. Classes cost around 25 USD per person.

Traditional Hot Stone Bath in Paro Farm House (14-36 USD Per Person)

In Bhutan, taking a hot stone bath is one of the luxuries of local herbal and traditional medicine, and the baths, which are normally in the local farmhouses and homestays, are an additional expense outside the tour cost. The hot stone bath is a relaxing experience that uses local fresh river water and hot stones from a fire to heat it to the desired temperature. When you take a Paro Bhutan tour, don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the healing waters costs between 14-36 USD per person.

River Rafting in Punakha (150 USD)

Rafting down the rivers in Punakha, which is usually done on the Mo Chhu, is an amazing adventure. The rafting experience usually extends over a distance of around 10-12 kilometers and takes you through 4th and 5th-degree rapids in an exciting adventure. A raft able to hold six passengers with a guide can be hired for around 150 USD.

How much does it cost to fly to Bhutan?

Flights to Bhutan are only offered by two airlines, DrukAir and Bhutan Airlines. DrukAir is the national flagship carrier and the first airline in Bhutan, while Bhutan Airlines is the first and only private airline in the kingdom. All inbound and outbound tourists must use one of the two airlines, as they are the only carriers permitted to land at Paro International Airport.

These airlines offer flights to Paro from nine airports in five countries, all of which are in Asia. The cities with flights to Paro include Kathmandu (Nepal), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Dhaka (Bangladesh), New Delhi (India), Guwahati (India), and Kolkata (India).

The cost of flight tickets varies. Flights from Los Angeles to Paro via Kuala Lumpur start around 1,200 USD. Tickets from London via Delhi can be found for 730 USD. Singapore is one of the easiest connecting cities for many people to reach, and flights from there to Paro are around 430-550 USD. Bangkok is also easy to reach, and has direct flights to Bhutan for around 540 USD. Delhi and Kathmandu have some of the cheapest connections to Paro, with tickets available for 300-400 USD.

How to cut down the cost of a Bhutan tour?

Bhutan is not a cheap holiday destination, but when you consider the things the cost covers, a tour package to such an exclusive destination is a good deal. However, if you are planning a Bhutan tour on a Budget, then the easiest way to do so is to book the tour in the low season for tourism in Bhutan. Tour packages, accommodations, and flights can be around 20% less expensive between December to February and June to August when there are fewer tourists.

Group tours are another good way to save money. On group tours, costs for transportation, a guide, and a driver are shared between a number of people, bringing down the individual cost.

Booking in advance will also help you secure the best prices. Tours and flights can sell out quickly, so it’s a good idea to book ahead anyway. Starting 2-3 months early will let you find the best flight ticket prices and secure early bird deals.

Conclusion

With its unique package deals, Bhutan is actually a lot more affordable than you might think. Having everything included in the overall cost makes the whole trip much easier to manage, and with high and low seasons having different costs, you can decide when to travel more easily. After you arrive, the only things you need to spend money on are extra personal expenses and tips.

Contact us anytime and start planning your Bhutan tour today. Our expert travel consultants will help craft a personalized tour for the experience you’re looking for at any budget level.