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Bhutan’s only international airport is located in the town of Paro. It would take you about an hour to drive down from there to Thimphu, once you land. You can fly directly into Paro from Kolkata, New Delhi or Bagdogra near Darjeeling with either Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines. Other airports like Guwahati, Bangalore, Chennai or Mumbai offer only connecting flights, with additional airline options. The duration of each direct flight is different, with New Delhi taking the longest and Bagdogra taking just under an hour.
You could also choose to travel to Thimphu by road. Reaching Thimphu by road is actually quite easy. You could take one of the government-run buses to Phuentsholing — that is the customary stop point for all entering through this side of the country by road. The buses run from different border towns in West Bengal like Kolkata or Siliguri. It won’t cost you much, but it will be a long journey across winding roads and scenic vistas. If you’re looking for a more comfortable ride, you could just as easily hire a private taxi from one of the Indian border towns and drive down in that instead.
Yet another answer to how to reach Thimphu, is by train. While there is no direct train, you can take a train to some of the nearest stations to Bhutan and switch into a taxi or local transport from there for the rest of your journey up to Phuentsholing and then Thimphu. These stations include Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri and Hasimara in West Bengal. Once you get off the train at any of these points you will easily find a cab to take you the rest of the way. Another convenient option here is to take a shared taxi, especially if you’re travelling solo. Your journey to Thimphu will be an adventure before the real one even begins, no matter which mode of transport you choose. Even the flights into Paro offer some of the most out-of-this-world views of the Himalayas from the top. So, don’t just wonder about how to reach Thimphu, start planning with a suitable Thimphu package from SOTC.
