No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Bhutan’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Bhutan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, see the Bhutan government’s visa entry page or contact the Bhutanese Embassy in Brussels.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Bhutan.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to .
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.
\n\nYou must have a visa to enter and leave Bhutan.
\n\nYou must apply for your visa in advance. The authorities will pre-approve the visa and issue it when you arrive in Bhutan.
\n\nYou can arrange a visa through a Bhutanese tour operator, through a Bhutanese hotel or directly through the Department of Immigration’s website. You will need to pay a non-refundable, one-off visa application fee of 40 US dollars.
\n\nIf you’re travelling for business or other non-tourism reasons, you must arrange your visa through your sponsoring organisation in Bhutan.
\n\nMake sure you get your passport stamped.
\nMake sure the border control officer stamps your visa in your passport.
\n\nYou must have permits to travel to some states in Bhutan. Your tour guide will help to get these.
\n\nIf you want to extend your stay in Bhutan, go to the Department of Immigration in Thimphu to make a request.
\n\nYou can enter or exit Bhutan by air through the international airport in Paro, or by the land entry point in Phuentsholing.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Bhutan guide.
\n\nAll adult visitors must pay a daily sustainable development fee (SDF) of 100 US dollars per night. There is a lower daily charge for children. Read more information about the SDF.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Bhutan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nIt is illegal to take antiques out of Bhutan. Customs officials may inspect items that appear to be antiques.
\n\nYou can bring a small supply of tobacco for personal use. You will need to pay taxes and duties and be able to show proof of tax and duty payments if the authorities ask you to at any point during your visit.
\n\nYou can take up to 30,000 Bhutan ngultrum into or out of Bhutan.
\n\nIf you plan to take foreign currency worth 10,000 US dollars or more into or out of Bhutan, you must declare it and get clearance from the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan.
\n\nIndian rupees are widely accepted in Bhutan.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Bhutan, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nCrime levels are low across Bhutan, but you should take the same precautions as you would at home.
\n\nKeep a copy of your passport’s photo page and visa, and your flight ticket separate from the originals when travelling.
\n\nBhutanese people take their customs and traditions very seriously. Respect them at all times to avoid giving offence. Particularly avoid criticising HM The King of Bhutan. If in doubt, ask your tour guide.
\n\nDress respectfully when visiting temples and Dzongs (fortified buildings, like castles), so that you do not cause offence. Your tour guide will be able to advise.
\n\nAlcohol is legal in Bhutan, but there are restrictions on how much alcohol tourists can buy at one time. Check with the vendor what the limit is.
\n\nIt was illegal to sell or buy tobacco products in Bhutan until 2020. It is currently legal, but smoking is still frowned on. Be mindful of where you smoke – for example smoking near religious locations may cause offence.
\n\nThere are strict penalties for possession, use and trafficking of illegal drugs. If convicted, you could get a prison sentence and heavy fine. Sentences range from a minimum of 3 years to a life sentence depending upon the type and quantity of drugs.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in Bhutan in 2020, and there are no censorship laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBT+ topics. Same-sex marriages are not recognised. There is no legal recognition of transgender individuals.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nEnvironmental conservation is critically important to Bhutan. You could be imprisoned for harming protected species. It is illegal to litter anywhere in Bhutan.
\n\nYou need to use tour guides when visiting places of interest. Otherwise, you may be refused entry.
\n\nMountaineering is banned in Bhutan, but there are trekking options across the country at a wide range of altitudes. Take advice from your tour guide.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Bhutan, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nCar rentals come with a driver. If you want to drive your own vehicle, you must hire a guide to travel with you.
\n\nAny car you bring into Bhutan must meet the requirements of the Bhutan Road Safety and Transport Authority. You must have a driving licence, insurance documents, pollution control documents and an entry permit. You will need to pay a daily charge of 4,500 ngultrum. The same fees and rules apply for motorbikes.
\n\nFor a stay of more than 90 days, apply for a Bhutanese driving licence from the Bhutan Road Safety and Transport Authority. You must show your UK driving licence.
\n\nCar and motorbike accidents are one of the biggest causes of injury and death in Bhutan. If possible, avoid travelling at night. Always travel in a well-maintained vehicle with seatbelts.
\n\nRoad conditions can be dangerous, particularly in monsoon season. There are no traffic lights in Bhutan.
\n\nWeather conditions regularly affect domestic and international flights.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nMonsoon rains can cause landslides that cut off some roads for days. Always check your route before setting off and take extra care during the monsoon season.
\n\nSeveral parts of Bhutan lie on active fault zones. Limited emergency vehicles, equipment and medical facilities are likely to increase the impact of an earthquake. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\nThere is high risk of wildfires, particularly in central and southern areas of the country. You will be fined if you cause a wildfire, even if it is accidental. The level of the fine increases if the wildfire is caused intentionally.
\n\nFlooding, including flash flooding, can be caused by many natural events such as monsoon rains and earthquakes. Both rural and urban areas are vulnerable.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 112 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Bhutan.
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Bhutan. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nIf you’re carrying a large amount of medicine or medicine that’s not for your personal use, check with the Bhutanese Embassy in Brussels.
\n\nHealthcare facilities vary in quality across Bhutan. One hospital (Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital) in Thimphu can provide surgery and emergency treatment. Outside of Thimphu, hospitals generally provide only basic healthcare. Treatment for more complex issues is not available in Bhutan and you would need evacuation to India or Thailand for treatment.
\n\nMake sure you have adequate travel health insurance that covers the cost of medical treatment abroad, emergency helicopter evacuation and repatriation.
\n\nEnglish is widely spoken in Bhutan and doctors are likely to speak some English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 112
\n\nFire: 110
\n\nPolice: 113
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
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