I am from Kolkata and want to travel to Bhutan. As this is a destination where not many people go to, and I would like some expertise advice on how to reach Bhutan from Kolkata. Members who do not have any knowledge about this route, please do not reply as I want accurate information. I would like information on the different ways to reach Bhutan from Kolkata. The cost and travel time involved in the various modes of transport.
Hello, @Shoojit, welcome to the forum! The Happiest Place on Earth, Bhutan How to Reach Bhutan from Kolkata? So first of all, the distance between Kolkata and Bhutan is about 1,038 kilometres. It can take you more than a day to reach the latter, if you go by road journey. But there are two ways of reaching Bhutan from Kolkata, either by air or by road journey. The former is more expensive but shorter while the latter is less expensive but takes a longer time. Make sure you have your passport, minimum of six months validity, and an identification proof ready too. These documents are necessary for obtaining an entry permit to the country of Bhutan. But for other nationalities, aside from Bangladeshi, Indian and Maldivian, they need to obtain a visa prior to entering Bhutan. By Air 1. Direct Flight from Kolkata to Bhutan - The main airport of Bhutan is the Paro International Airport and luckily, it has direct flights from some cities of India, including Kolkata. Both the airlines operating in Bhutan, Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines, have flights to and from Kolkata. Flights can be very expensive though especially during peak tourist season. Bhutan Airlines Flights from Kolkata to Bhutan AirlineFlight NumberDepartureArrivalScheduleFareBhutan AirlinesB37018:159:55DailyRs. 17,068Bhutan AirlinesB37158:30[/td10:10Tuesday and WednesdayRs. 17,068 Druk Air Flights from Kolkata to Bhutan AirlineFlight NumberDepartureArrivalScheduleFareDruk Air1218:3010:10Tuesday, Thursday and SundayRs. 20,127Druk Air2119:1010:50SaturdayRs. 20,127Druk Air5019:1010:50Wednesday, Friday and MondayRs. 20,127As you can see, journey duration is barely two hours. The air fare prices can be very expensive though but still considerably less than the air fares from Delhi to Bhutan. When you reach the airport, just show your Indian passport and maybe an identification proof if required and you're good to go. By Road Road journey is a bit more complicated and tiring yet very affordable. You also have plenty of options when it comes to road journey. But first, let us discuss the different border points in India with Bhutan. In total, there are three border points in India that you can cross over with to reach Bhutan. One is in West Bengal and the other two are in Assam. Different Border Points in India and Bhutan BorderStateLocationJaigaon/PhuentsholingWest BengalWestBongaigaon/GelephuAssamCentralDarangamela/Samdrup JongkharAssamEastOut of these three border points, the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border is the most preferred by travellers. It is easily accessible and the facilities for staying as well as obtaining an entry permit here are better. So we will begin by finding out how to reach the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border from Kolkata. →How to Reach Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border from Kolkata 1. By Train to Hasimara and Auto/Shared Jeep/Taxi to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border - This is the easiest and most convenient way of reaching the border from Kolkata. You just ride a train to the Hasimara Railway Station from Kolkata and from the Hasimara Railway Station, just ride an auto rickshaw to Jaigaon. Your route would be: Kolkata > Train to Hasimara > Rickhsaw to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border There are direct trains from Kolkata to Hasimara although they are quite few. Journey duration would be around 13 hours to 15 hours, more or less. Fare is also very minimal, if you choose the lower classes. Trains from Kolkata to Hasimara Train Name & NumberDeparture Station - TimeArrival Station - TimeScheduleKanchankanya Express Train No. 13149Sealdah - 20:30Hasimara - 10:46DailyKarmabhoomi Express Train No. 22511Howrah Junction - 21:55Hasimara - 12:15ThursdayKolkata Alipur Duar Special Fare Train No. 03129Kolkata - 22:45Hasimara - 12:20SundayThese are the only three trains departing from Kolkata and reaching Hasimara. You can choose between the Sealdah Railway Station, Howrah Railway Station or Kolkata Railway Station. But the best station would be the first one as it has daily train schedules reaching Hasimara. The fare costs for this route would differ, depending on the class you book. Train Fares from Kolkata to Hasimara ClassFareFirst Class ACRs. 2,500Second Class ACRs. 1,450Third Class ACRs. 1,005Sleeper ClassRs. 370GeneralRs. 215From Hasimara Railway Station, the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border is merely 15.7 kilometres or 30 minutes away. At this point, you have several options, going by auto rickshaw, shared jeep or taxi to reach the border. An auto rickshaw costs around Rs. 120, a shared jeep costs around Rs. 50 per person and lastly, a private taxi costs around Rs. 400. 2. By Train to New Jalpaiguri and Taxi/Bus to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border - Another option would be to reach the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and from there, either ride a shared jeep or a bus to reach the border. Since there are direct trains to Hasimara, this is not really a recommended option, unless you cannot make it on time to the schedules of the previous trains. Your route would be: Kolkata > Train to New Jalpaiguri > Taxi/Bus to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border Trains from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri Train Name & NumberDeparture Station - TimeArrival Station - TimeScheduleTesta Torsa Express Train No. 13141Sealdah - 13:40New Jalpaiguri - 2:40DailyHowrah New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express Train No. 12041Howrah Junction - 14:15New Jalpaiguri - 22:25Daily except SundaySaraighat Express Train No. 12345Howrah Junction - 15:50New Jalpaiguri - 1:40DailyKamrup Express Train No. 15959Howrah Junction - 17:35New Jalpaiguri - 6:20DailyUttar Banga Express Train No. 13147Sealdah - 19:35New Jalpaiguri - 6:45DailyJourney duration would be around 10 to 14 hours, more or less. You can choose from the same railway stations in Kolkata, Howrah Junction or Sealdah. There are many more trains plying this route but the ones listed above are those that have daily schedules or many schedules within a week. Train Fares from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri ClassFareFirst Class ACRs. 2,170Second Class ACRs. 1,295Third Class ACRs. 915Sleeper ClassRs. 350GeneralRs. 200From the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border is about 150 kilometres away. You can choose to hire a taxi, which costs around Rs. 1,700 to Rs. 2,000 to reach the border. Or you can opt for a cheaper mode of travel, via bus, which are plenty in Siliguri. Just ride a taxi to take you to the Siliguri Bus Stand, it won't cost more than Rs. 100. Then, from the Siliguri Bus Stand, board a bus going to Jaigaon. There are two buses, operated by the Royal Bhutanese Government, plying through this route daily. Buses from Siliguri to Jaigaon Bus NumberDeparture TimeFareBus No. 17:30Rs. 80Bus No. 213:30Rs. 80Bus journey can take around 4 to 5 hours, more or less. It can be a bit bumpy though so do take some rest in Jaigaon once you reach it. 3. Bus to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border - From Kolkata, there are direct buses plying to the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border. Journey duration would be around 18 to 20 hours. It's a bit long so if you're not used to bus journeys, you better avoid this option. Cost-wise, it is very inexpensive and very suitable for budget travellers. This bus is also operated by the Royal Bhutanese Government but there is only one bus plying a few days a week to the border. Bus from Kolkata to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border Departure TimeScheduleFare19:00Tuesday, Thursday and SaturdayRs. 653→How to Reach Bongaigaon/Gelephu Border from Kolkata 1. By Train to New Bongaigaon and Taxi to Bongaigaon/Gelephu Border - There are direct trains plying from Kolkata to the New Bongaigaon Railway Station in Assam. Journey duration would be around 15 to 20 hours, more or less. Trains from Kolkata to New Bongaigaon Train Name & NumberDeparture Station - TimeArrival Station - TimeScheduleGuwahati Garib Rath Train No. 12517Kolkata - 21:40New Bongaigaon - 12:35Sunday and ThursdayKanchanjanga Express Train No. 25657Sealdah - 6:35New Bongaigaon - 00:30Monday, Wednesday and SaturdaySaraighat Express Train No. 12345Howrah Junction - 15:50New Bongaigaon - 6:28DailyKamrup Express Train No. 15959Howrah Junction - 17:35New Bongaigaon - 11:40DailyGuwahati Express Train No. 12515Kolkata Santragachi- 10:03New Bongaigaon - 2:20TuesdayThere are many more trains plying this route but most of them don't have daily schedules. So do check their schedules and timings in advance so you can fit it into your personal schedule. Train Fares from Kolkata to New Bongaigaon ClassFareFirst Class ACRs. 1,235Second Class ACRs. 740Third Class ACRs. 540Sleeper ClassRs. 170From New Bongaigaon, the Bongaigaon/Gelephu Border is about 57 kilometres away or a 2-hour road journey. You have no other option, at this point, but to ride a taxi from the railway station to the border. It would cost around Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 1,500. →How to Reach Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar Border from Kolkata 1. By Train to Rangiya and Taxi to Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar Border - The nearest railway station to the Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar is the Rangiya Junction in Assam, near Guwahati. There are some trains directly plying from Kolkata to this station. Journey duration is around 17 to 24 hours. Trains from Kolkata to Rangiya Junction Train Name & NumberDeparture Station - TimeArrival Station - TimeScheduleKanchanjanga Express Train No. 15657Sealdah - 6:35Rangiya - 2:20Tuesday and FridayKanchanjanga Express Train No. 25657Sealdah - 6:35Rangiya - 2:20Monday, Wednesday and SaturdayGuwahati Express Train No. 12507Kolkata Santragachi- 13:10Rangiya - 6:12ThursdayKamrup Express Train No. 15959Howrah Junction - 17:35Rangiya - 13:35DailyGuwahati Express Train No. 12515Kolkata Santragachi- 10:03Rangiya - 4:00TuesdayAs you can see, trains are quite sparse but you can still find a few that would fit within your schedule. Fares differ depending on the class too. Train Fares from Kolkata to Rangiya Junction ClassFareSecond Class ACRs. 1,785Third Class ACRs. 1,245SleeperRs. 475From Rangiya Junction, the Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar Border is just an hour away. There is no other option from here but taking a taxi to reach the border, which can cost anywhere between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,200. I hope this helps you.
You could take a train to New Jalpaiguri and then a shared jeep or a bus to the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing border from where all sorts of buses and shared taxis/jeeps are available for Thimphu and other destinations.
To reach Bhutan from Kolkata, there are primarily two common routes: By Air: The most convenient and popular way to reach Bhutan from Kolkata is by air. You will need to fly into Bhutan's only international airport, Paro International Airport (PBH). Here are the steps involved: Fly from Kolkata to Paro: You can book a flight from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) in Kolkata to Paro International Airport (PBH) in Bhutan. This route is typically operated by Druk Air, Bhutan's national carrier, and occasionally by other international airlines. Travel Time: The flight duration is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Cost: The cost of airfare can vary depending on factors such as the airline, class of travel, and how far in advance you book your ticket. As of my last knowledge update in 2021, a one-way flight from Kolkata to Paro could range from approximately INR 12,000 to INR 30,000 or more. Visa Requirement: You will need to obtain a visa for Bhutan. Tourist visas for Bhutan are typically issued by tour operators, so you should plan your visit through a registered Bhutanese tour company. By Road: Another way to reach Bhutan from Kolkata is by road, but this involves a more extended journey. You would need to travel by road through India to reach the border town of Phuentsholing, which is the entry point to Bhutan. Here are the steps involved: Kolkata to Phuentsholing: Travel by bus or car from Kolkata to Phuentsholing, which is located on the India-Bhutan border. Travel Time: The road journey can take around 20 to 24 hours or more, depending on road conditions, traffic, and rest stops. Cost: The cost will include transportation, accommodation, and any necessary permits. The overall cost can vary depending on the mode of transport, type of accommodation, and other expenses. Visa Requirement: You will still need a Bhutanese visa for entry into the country. Ensure you have your visa and permits in order before crossing the border. Please note that Bhutan has specific entry requirements, including the need to book through a registered tour operator and follow the "Minimum Daily Package" policy. It's advisable to contact Bhutanese tour operators for the most up-to-date information on travel requirements, costs, and procedures for visiting Bhutan. Additionally, consider the current travel restrictions and guidelines in light of the ongoing global situation.
