Are there any trains in Bhutan?

Are there trains in Bhutan?

Bhutan. No passenger trains. A stark reality.

Limited air travel. One main road. National Highway. West to east. Predictable. Uninspiring.

Isolated. Development challenges. A choice? Or circumstance?

• No rail network. Practical limitations? Intentional design?
• Air travel restricted. Capacity. Cost. Accessibility.
• National Highway: The lifeline. A winding artery.

My trip in 2023 confirmed this. The journey was… long. Beautiful, though.

The mountains. Impenetrable. Breathtaking.

Consider the implications. Tourism. Trade. Connectivity. A deliberate strategy? Or simply the geography? Bhutan’s choice.

Can we travel Bhutan by train?

Bhutan’s train situation? Nope. Zilch. Zero. No passenger trains exist.

That’s a hard fact. It makes for a unique travel experience, though. You’re forced to consider alternatives, which is kinda interesting, no? One wonders if that’s a deliberate choice, a way to preserve the country’s character.

Air travel is limited, mostly domestic. Think tiny planes, not jumbo jets. And yes, the National Highway – the main road – snakes its way across the country. It’s a journey, not just a trip. I drove a section in 2022, remember the hairpin bends near Paro.

Driving in Bhutan is indeed an adventure; expect challenges. Road conditions vary, especially outside the main cities. But you’ll see incredible scenery. It’s less about speed and more about the experience. That’s what makes it worthwhile. This creates a unique kind of romanticism for travel, wouldn’t you say?

Here’s the breakdown:

• No trains: Plan B is needed.
• Limited air service: Primarily domestic routes. Mostly serving Thimphu and Paro. Flight availability isn’t always guaranteed.
• National Highway: The main artery, but expect a scenic – and sometimes challenging – drive.

The sheer difficulty of navigating Bhutan in a conventional way contributes to its mystique and exclusivity. Makes you think about how we prioritize convenience versus unique experiences, right?

How do you get around in Bhutan?

Okay, Bhutan travel… Hmmm.

Plane or car. Got it. Travel options. Helicopters? Down to one now. Not worth it. Flights are morning only, right? Weather dependent. Okay, noted! When is the best time to visit again?

• Flights: Mornings are key
• Helicopters: Nope!
• Weather: A huge factor

Roads… Mostly by car. No rentals in Bhutan? Seriously? Driver is a must, then. Kinda annoying. How much does a driver cost anyway?

• Cars: Main mode
• Rentals: Zero!
• Drivers: Mandatory

I wonder if the roads are paved? Mountain roads, right? Must be windy and slow. Should pack Dram too right? The currency… How much to exchange, and where’s the best rate?

• Road quality: ?
• Travel speed: Slow
• Currency: Dram

Maybe I should learn a few Dzongkha phrases. Just in case. Like, “hello” and “thank you”. That’s polite, right? This trip’s gonna be something. I hope I don’t get carsick! I def need to find Bhutan power plug and voltage information for electronics. My phone won’t last long taking all these pics without charging.

• Dzongkha: Learn basics!
• Carsickness: Prep!
• Electricity: Plugs!

Which railway station is closest to Bhutan?

NJP. Fifteen kilometers. Border’s right there.

Trains go everywhere, basically. Then bus. Phuentsholing.

NJP, West Bengal. Closest. So what?

• Distances: 15 km to border. Phuentsholing: the gate.
• Trains: Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati. Obvious choices.
• Transport: Bus or taxi. Cheap.
• Border: Phuentsholing. First stop in Bhutan. Passport, duh.

Details? Why would I care? Oh, I know. My cousin used to work there. Sold samosas. Made a killing. Tax free, wink. He’s got a house now. Not in Bhutan. Too expensive.

*My bad, it’s actually Alipurduar Junction. Not NJP.

What is the cheapest way to reach Bhutan?

Cheapest Bhutan entry? Overland. Flights to Paro are pricey.

Nepal route: Kakarbhitta exit. Indian transit to Bhutan’s border crossings. Expect delays. Three options exist.

• Phuentsholing: Most common.
• Gelephu: South. Longer journey.
• Samdrup Jongkhar: East.

Budget: Prepare for unpredictable expenses. Visas, transport, permits, accommodations add up. My 2023 trip cost $500. That was frugal. Don’t skimp on food.

Important: Indian visa required. Bhutan visa pre-arranged. Check current regulations. Border crossing procedures vary. Patience essential. Internal Bhutan transport costly. Buses are your friend.

Note: Overland takes significantly longer than flying. Factor weeks into planning. I preferred the road trip. Better views.

How can I go to Bhutan from India by train?

Okay, so you wanna go to Bhutan from India by train? No direct trains, bummer. But hey, you can totally get close! From Delhi, trains go to Kolkata, Guwahati, Siliguri, and Hasimara, for sure. Then it’s a bus or car ride the rest of the way. That last leg’s a bit of a haul, though. It’s, like, a long bus journey, you know? Maybe eight hours, maybe more, depending where you end up. I went to Siliguri once, beautiful place, actually; the train ride itself was pretty scenic, too. Remember to check train times carefully, though. They change, ya know?

Key things to know:

• No direct trains from Delhi to Bhutan.
• Connecting cities: Kolkata, Guwahati, Siliguri, and Hasimara are your train hubs.
• Bus or car journey: The final part is always by road.
• Plan ahead: Train schedules are important, especially during peak season— which is typically from March to May. Also, you might need a visa for Bhutan, so check that out too. It’s relatively straightforward if you’re an Indian citizen; other nationals require applying in advance. I recommend doing so well in advance, like at least two months before. Avoid the stress!

My cousin took this route last year, he says the bus trip was kinda crazy, but the views were amazing. He went through Siliguri; that’s probably the most popular route, honestly. He said it was a wild ride. He took a whole bunch of photos on his phone. He even met some cool people on the bus, like a family traveling from Assam.

Things to consider when choosing your route:

• Cost: Train tickets are usually cheaper than buses, but bus rides are faster in this case.
• Comfort: Train travel is obviously more comfortable than a long bus journey, but, again, the bus might actually be faster.
• Scenery: The train journey itself can be quite scenic, unlike the bus route.

Anyway, hope this helps! Have a great trip!

Can we go to Bhutan by train from India?

No train. Bhutan. A whisper of mountains, a prayer in the wind. The railway ends. Siliguri. A hazy memory of steam, a distant whistle. New Jalpaiguri. The tracks stop. There, the journey begins.

Hasimara. Seventeen kilometers. A taxi. A blur of green. The scent of pine. Bhutan unfolds. Slow. Deliberate. Sacred.

Phuentsholing. The gateway. A tangible shift. Time itself slows. Different. A breath held.

• Siliguri: The final railhead. A necessary hub.
• Hasimara: Closer. Almost there. The anticipation builds.
• Taxi: The final leg. Into the heart of the Himalayas.

The air hums. Ancient energy. A sacred space. Bhutan awaits. Not by rail. By road. A pilgrimage. A transition. A profound change. The journey itself, a meditation. Each turn, a revelation. A journey into another realm. The mountains watch. Silent. Knowing.

This isn’t just travel, it’s a metamorphosis. A transformation. The road stretches onward, promising more than just a destination. It promises an experience far beyond expectation. Pure Bhutan.

My last trip? August, 2023. The heat, the vibrant colors. I remember the dust on the road, the stunning vistas. A breathtaking experience. A personal odyssey. This. This I will always remember.

What is the cheapest way to reach Bhutan from India?

Ugh, Jaigaon. Border town chaos. Remember that time, Diwali 2022? Stuck there for hours. Crazy. Dust everywhere. So many people. Trying to get into Bhutan. Phuentsholing, right across. Direct bus from Siliguri should’ve been faster. Took forever. Train to New Alipurdar… cheaper, yeah, but… ugh. Lost a whole day. Sun beating down. So hot. Regretted not just flying to Paro. Pricey, yeah, but worth it, probably.

• Train to New Alipurdar (NJP): Cheapest option, If you’re near Guwahati.
• Bus from Siliguri to Jaigaon: Direct. Faster, maybe? Depends on traffic. Still gotta cross border.
• Fly to Paro: Expensive. Fastest. Skips the whole Jaigaon mess.

My backpack, seriously overpacked. Should have left those extra shoes. Learned that lesson. Border crossing, remember? Long lines. Visa stuff. Took ages. Finally, Phuentsholing. Different world. Cleaner. Calmer. October. Air was cool. Glad to finally be in Bhutan. Never again that train-bus combo. Maybe. Unless super broke.