Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Australasia to Bhutan
Never overpay for flights again. Use our curated Superdeals and fly to Paro, Gelephu from all major airports in Australia and New Zealand at a fraction of the normal fare.
Free Superdeals
Why are flights to Bhutan so expensive now?
High airfares between Australasia and Bhutan stem from limited connectivity, Druk Air’s monopoly on Bhutanese routes, and strict tourism policies requiring package bookings. Economy return fares from Sydney to Paro via Bangkok now regularly exceed AU$2,400, up from typical pre-2024 rates of around AU$1,600.
The primary factor is Bhutan’s strict control over air access. National carrier Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines are the only airlines permitted to fly to Paro International Airport, with services limited to a handful of regional hubs like Bangkok, Singapore, and Delhi.
Adding to costs, Bhutan implemented a new tourism policy requiring all international visitors to book through licensed tour operators and pay a mandatory Sustainable Development Fee of $200 per night. This policy, coupled with the requirement to fly on specific carriers, eliminates opportunities for budget alternatives or competitive pricing.
Australasia to Bhutan: average fares
Here are the most common flight routes connecting major Australasian cities with Bhutan’s international airports, showing average round-trip economy fares from the past 12 months:
| Route | High Season (A$) | Low Season (A$) | Average (A$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney (SYD) – Paro (PBH) | 2,450 | 1,890 | 2,170 |
| Melbourne (MEL) – Paro (PBH) | 2,580 | 1,950 | 2,265 |
| Brisbane (BNE) – Paro (PBH) | 2,680 | 2,040 | 2,360 |
| Auckland (AKL) – Paro (PBH) | 2,890 | 2,180 | 2,535 |
| Perth (PER) – Paro (PBH) | 2,390 | 1,840 | 2,115 |
Average price round-trip
A$2283
Average Superdeal price round-trip
A$915
Cheapest Superdeal price round-trip
A$571
Meet Superdeals. Save 40–80% on every flight.
You can save 40-80% on your flights to Asia Pacific with Air Traveler Club’s Superdeals. These are heavily discounted airfares that pop up periodically on various routes from Australia and New Zealand.
For example, a typical return flight from Sydney to Bhutan costs around A$1,400, but with Superdeals, you can often book it for as low as A$650. The exact savings depend on the route and season, but they’re always significant enough to make even expensive destinations much more affordable.
Sample Superdeals to Bhutan
- Sydney to Paro: A$869 (regular price A$2,170) – Druk Air via Bangkok, 2 stops
- Melbourne to Paro: A$1,359 (regular price A$2,265) – Bhutan Airlines via Singapore and Kolkata, 2 stops
- Auckland to Paro: A$1,012 (regular price A$2,535) – Druk Air codeshare with Singapore Airlines, 2 stops
Non-stop vs layover flights to Bhutan
Time vs money: understanding your options
Direct flight routes to Bhutan
There are currently no direct flights between Australasia and Bhutan’s Paro International Airport.
Layover/stopover options
Singapore Changi (SIN) is the primary gateway, with Singapore Airlines and Druk Air connections. Average layover time is 4-6 hours. Features world-class amenities including free city tours for layovers over 5.5 hours.
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) serves as Druk Air’s main hub for Southeast Asian connections. Typical connection times range 3-5 hours. Terminal offers adequate facilities but can be crowded during peak hours.
Kolkata (CCU) offers the shortest final leg to Paro. Druk Air operates regular connections with 2-4 hour layovers. Limited international amenities but efficient immigration process.
Time vs money
Multi-stop routes through Southeast Asia typically offer better value than routing through South Asia. Airlines often price tickets lower when including longer layovers, with potential savings of 15-25%.
| Route type | Average duration | Roundtrip Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Via Singapore | 16-18 hours | A$1,800-2,400 |
| Via Bangkok | 15-17 hours | A$1,600-2,200 |
| Via Kolkata | 18-20 hours | A$2,000-2,800 |
Tips and recommendations
- Book layovers of at least 4 hours in Singapore or Bangkok to account for potential delays and security procedures.
- Consider overnight layovers in Singapore for better flight availability to Paro and reduced overall ticket cost.
- Druk Air flights to Paro operate only during daylight hours due to visual landing requirements.
- Combining separate tickets (one to Bangkok/Singapore and another to Paro) can sometimes yield better prices but increases risk during delays.
- Bangkok route often offers the best combination of total travel time and cost from Australian cities.
Smart route hacks for Australasia → Bhutan flights
Save extra with lesser-known paths and connections
- Druk Air offers the most direct routing to Bhutan via Singapore, with a technical stop in Guwahati, India. The airline operates A319s with comfortable 32-inch pitch in economy class, which is above average for regional flights. Booking through their website directly often yields better prices than through travel agents.
- Flying via Bangkok on Thai Airways or Singapore Airlines to connect with Bhutan Airlines provides more flexible scheduling options and often lower fares. The connection times in Bangkok are typically shorter than other hubs, averaging 3-4 hours. These routes also benefit from more frequent seat sales, particularly during shoulder season (March-April and September-October).
- Travelers from Western Australia can take advantage of Scoot’s budget flights to Singapore connecting to Druk Air, saving up to 30% compared to full-service carriers. The trade-off in comfort is minimal considering the short flight segments, and Scoot’s ScootPlus premium service offers good value with 38-inch pitch seats.
- Consider breaking the journey with a stopover in Singapore when flying from New Zealand, as this allows access to early morning flights to Paro. Singapore Airlines offers free stopover packages, including hotel stays, when booking through their website for stays over 24 hours.
- For travelers prioritizing comfort, Malaysia Airlines’ A330s to Kuala Lumpur connecting to Druk Air offer the best seat pitch (34 inches) and width (18 inches) in economy class. Their partnership with Druk Air also means protected connections and through-checked baggage, despite typically higher fares.
Common mistakes
How to avoid costly pitfalls that can ruin your travels
- Booking only through Druk Air website Many travelers don’t realize that Bhutan Airlines also operates international flights to Paro and sometimes offers better deals or more convenient connections through Bangkok.
- Not considering seasonal weather for layovers When planning routes through Bangkok or Singapore, travelers often forget that monsoon season (June-October) can cause significant delays and missed connections.
- Attempting direct bookings from Australia/NZ Trying to arrange flights independently without going through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator can result in visa complications and potential denial of entry.
- Choosing tight connections in Bangkok Due to Paro’s strict daylight-only operation policy and frequent schedule changes, booking connections with less than 4 hours layover in Bangkok can be risky.
- Not accounting for Paro’s landing restrictions Travelers often book return flights without realizing that Paro International Airport only operates in visual flight conditions, which means flights are frequently delayed or cancelled during cloudy weather.
Coming-up airline promotions to Bhutan
Which carriers have sales and special offers for January, February, March, and beyond?
We track and curate genuine offers from 150+ airlines, hand-picking only the most valuable for your wallet.
See the upcoming offers for flights to Paro, Gelephu :
Best airlines for flights to Bhutan from Australasia
Balanced choice for service, comfort and value
Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines)
Best for: Most direct access to Bhutan with exclusive rights to land at Paro International Airport.
Operating from 6 Australian/NZ departure cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, Wellington) via Bangkok or Singapore. While not offering direct flights, Druk Air provides the final leg into Bhutan with specially trained pilots certified for the challenging Paro landing. Economy class offers 32-inch seat pitch, traditional Bhutanese meals, and complimentary beverages. Passenger ratings consistently show 4.1/5 for reliability and cultural experience.
Singapore Airlines
Best for: Superior service quality and most frequent connections to Bhutan via Singapore.
Connects 8 Australasian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland, Christchurch) to Bhutan through Singapore. Award-winning economy class features 32-34 inch seat pitch, extensive entertainment options, and highly rated Asian and Western cuisine. Efficient layovers in Singapore average 3-4 hours. Maintains 4.5/5 passenger satisfaction rating for Australia-Asia routes.
Thai Airways
Best for: Most economical full-service option with convenient Bangkok connections.
Services 5 major Australasian hubs (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland) with connections to Bhutan via Bangkok. Economy class provides 31-32 inch seat pitch, Thai-influenced meals, and reliable entertainment systems. Bangkok layover times average 4-5 hours. Passengers rate the airline 4.0/5 for value and service consistency.
Emirates
Best for: Most luxurious economy class experience with flexible routing options.
Operates from 7 Australasian cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Auckland, Christchurch) connecting to Bhutan via Dubai and Bangkok/Singapore. Features market-leading 33-34 inch seat pitch in economy, extensive meal choices, and world-class entertainment. Longer average layovers (6-8 hours) but with excellent transit facilities. Maintains 4.3/5 passenger satisfaction rating on these routes.
Using regional airlines to your advantage
Another strategy for cheaper flights to Bhutan
Savvy travelers can save significantly when flying from Australia or New Zealand to Bhutan by strategically using regional Asian carriers instead of booking through major airlines.
The multi-ticket strategy
Rather than booking a single ticket to Paro (Bhutan’s only international airport), break your journey into segments using regional carriers. This approach often yields substantial savings.
Key route combinations
- Book a flight from Australia/NZ to Bangkok or Singapore using budget carriers like Scoot or AirAsia
- Connect to Kolkata or Delhi using carriers like IndiGo or SpiceJet
- Complete the journey to Paro using Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines
Money-saving tips
Consider these crucial strategies:
- Book each segment separately to avoid inflated codeshare prices
- Allow adequate connection time between flights when self-connecting
- Monitor regional carriers’ sales, particularly during off-peak seasons
- Use Bangkok as your primary hub – it typically offers the most competitive rates to Bhutan
While this approach requires more planning, savings can exceed 30% compared to traditional single-ticket bookings through major carriers.
Half-price deals within Asia
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