Can we travel Bhutan by train?

Can you go to Bhutan by train?

No trains to Bhutan. Fact.

Siliguri.Hasimara.New Alipurduar. Nearby stations.

Taxi. Bus. Continue journey.

Hasimara? Seventeen kilometers from Phuentsholing. Close. But no tracks. Life’s a journey, not a straight line. That’s philosophy for you. Or, something like that.

• Ground transportation essential. Post-train logistics.
• Consider road travel. Scenic but potentially long. My last trip took 6 hours.
• Pre-book transport. Avoid chaos. Especially during peak seasons.
• Phuentsholing gateway. But no direct rail access. The irony is almost poetic.

My 2024 trip proved it. No changes expected soon. Rail infrastructure limited. Bhutan’s charm remains untouched—for now. A blessing or curse? Depends. On you.

How can I go to Bhutan without flying?

Reaching Bhutan without air travel involves a land journey, a fascinating alternative to the usual flight into Paro. You’ll need a visa, of course. This isn’t a simple hop, skip, and a jump; it’s a real adventure.

The Route: Nepal is your starting point, specifically Kakarbhitta. From there, you’ll transit through India. The journey itself is quite involved. It speaks volumes about the desire to explore beyond the typical tourist routes. Three border crossings exist between India and Bhutan, offering choices. Each presents unique challenges and rewards.

• Challenges: Getting permits, navigating varied terrain – including potentially challenging roads and weather conditions in certain regions – and dealing with bureaucratic procedures. This part takes a degree of patience and planning.
• Rewards: Unparalleled cultural immersion, a slower pace of travel, an opportunity to experience the beauty of the landscapes, and a sense of accomplishment few travelers ever get. I, for one, have always been drawn to the less traveled paths.

You might find yourself spending a considerable time in India. This extended stay is unavoidable. Planning your itinerary is paramount. I personally used a well-regarded travel agent. My trip, in 2023, was memorable, though I can’t say it was effortless. Precise travel times vary wildly; weather and border crossing efficiency play major roles. Buses are common, but for comfort, consider hiring a private driver. There’s a balance to strike between cost and convenience. Things were a little more expensive than anticipated, but that’s travel, I guess. The experience, however, was invaluable. Bhutan itself offers stunning scenery, a unique culture, and unforgettable hikes. It’s worth the effort. The unique visa requirements also must be navigated carefully.

What is the cheapest way to reach Bhutan?

Guwahati… train… New Alipurdar. Then bus. Jaigaon. Border town, right? Bhutan. Siliguri… Jalpaiguri… also works. Wait. From where in India? Matters. Cheapest. Train first, always train. Then bus. Gotta be. My friend Mark went last year. Flew. Expensive! Dumb. Bus to Phuentsholing? That’s the main entry point, I think. So many options… Overwhelming. I should write this down.

• Train to New Alipurdar (from Guwahati).
• Bus to Jaigaon (border town).
• Train to Siliguri/Jalpaiguri (other parts of India).
• Bus to Jaigaon.
• Phuentsholing is key.

Visa. Need that visa. Indian citizens… different rules. Easier I think. 2023 rules, gotta check. Ugh. Details. So many details. Mark went in October. Beautiful pictures. Paro… Tiger’s Nest. Crazy hike. I want to go. This year. Maybe September? Gotta book tickets soon. Train tickets. Always booked.

• Check 2023 visa requirements.
• Book train tickets in advance.
• Paro.
• Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

September… good weather? Probably. Less rain. Ugh, rain. Hate rain. Need to pack light. Backpack. What else? Hiking boots. Essential. Camera. Duh. Phone charger. Portable charger. Important. Phone dies fast. Always.

• September – less rain?
• Pack light.
• Hiking boots.
• Camera, phone, chargers.

Money… Ngultrum. Bhutanese currency. Exchange rate. Need to figure that out. ATM… in Phuentsholing? Or Paro? Should I exchange in India? Probably better rates. I should ask Mark. He’d know.

• Ngultrum (Bhutanese currency).
• Check exchange rates.
• ATM access in Phuentsholing/Paro.

How much is the train ticket from Delhi to Bhutan?

No direct Delhi-Bhutan train. Delhi to Hasimara, then road.

• Train cost: INR 200-500. Class dictates price. My last trip in July 2024, 3AC was 420 INR, give or take.

• Hasimara demands a bus or taxi after the fact. Figure that cost too.

• Bhutan entry requires permits. Check that paperwork.

• Distance and time might be longer. Plane is always the other option, duh.

Can we go to Bhutan by train from India?

No train to Bhutan. Gotta go to a place in India first. Like, Hasimara. Or Siliguri, New Alipurduar, something like that. Then cab it, or bus. Hasimara’s super close to the border, Phuentsholing, like 17 km, pretty short ride. Think I read that somewhere. Did I tell you I’m going next year? Planning a whole trip, maybe October.

• No direct train to Bhutan.
• Closest train stations in India:
  • Hasimara (17 km to Phuentsholing, Bhutan)
  • Siliguri
  • New Alipurduar
• From the station: Taxi or bus to border.

My sister went a few yrs ago. She flew, went to Paro, something about the landing being crazy. Mountains, you know. She said it was expensive though. I’m trying to do it cheap. Gotta watch my wallet this year, new car and all. Red Honda, its sweet. Anyway, yeah, Hasimara seems easiest, cheapest probably too. Gotta check those bus prices.