Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to Bhutan

Direct flight routes to Bhutan

Currently there are no direct flights between any European city and Bhutan’s Paro International Airport.

Layover/stopover options

Bangkok (BKK) – Main hub for Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines. Thai Airways offers connections from European cities with average layover of 3-4 hours. Modern airport with excellent shopping and dining options.

Singapore (SIN) – Singapore Airlines operates extensive European network with connections to Druk Air flights. Typical connection time 5-6 hours. Features world-class amenities and free city tours for longer layovers.

Delhi (DEL) – Air India and European carriers provide feeds to Druk Air services. Connection times average 4 hours. Visa might be required even for transit passengers.

Kathmandu (KTM) – Closest major hub to Bhutan, served by several Middle Eastern airlines from Europe. Shorter flight time to Paro but less reliable connections due to weather conditions.

Time vs money

Multiple-carrier itineraries typically offer lower fares than single-ticket options through Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines. Longer layovers generally result in better prices but require more travel time.

Tips and recommendations

• Book separate tickets for international and Bhutan segments to save money, but allow minimum 6 hours connection time


• Consider overnight layovers in Bangkok or Singapore to adjust to time zones


• Flights to Paro operate only during daylight hours due to challenging approach


• Many routes have limited frequency – book at least 3 months ahead


• Weather delays are common – avoid tight connections in winter months

• Singapore Airlines via Singapore offers the most reliable connection to Paro through Druk Air codeshare, with total journey time from major European hubs around 16-17 hours. Their A350 economy cabin provides generous 32″ pitch and 18″ width seats, while the 7-hour layover in Singapore allows for a city tour through the free airport program.
• Flying Thai Airways through Bangkok can save up to 25% compared to Singapore Airlines, though requiring an overnight stay in Bangkok due to Druk Air’s morning-only departure schedule. The recent partnership between Thai Airways and Druk Air allows through-checking of baggage and better protection in case of delays.
• The Emirates route via Dubai offers consistently lower fares from secondary European cities like Budapest or Prague, with economy returns averaging €850-950. Their codeshare with Druk Air includes priority baggage handling at Dubai and dedicated transfer desk for Bhutan-bound passengers.
• Qatar Airways via Doha has introduced special fares from Scandinavian cities, offering rates up to 30% below market average when booking 6+ months ahead. Their new agreement with Druk Air provides lounge access in Doha even for economy passengers continuing to Bhutan.
• Consider Turkish Airlines through Istanbul for departures from Western Europe, as they offer the shortest total journey time to Paro at competitive rates. Their connection to Druk Air’s Delhi flight includes complimentary hotel stays for layovers exceeding 10 hours, effectively turning a long wait into a free city break.

1. Booking directly to Paro Many travelers don’t realize that international flights to Bhutan’s Paro Airport are only operated by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines via specific hubs like Bangkok, Singapore, or Delhi.
2. Not checking seasonal flight availability Due to Paro Airport’s challenging mountain location, flights are highly dependent on weather conditions and operate mainly during daylight hours in good visibility, making winter schedules particularly limited.
3. Ignoring connection times in transit hubs Travelers often book tight connections in Bangkok or Singapore without considering that Bhutanese airlines operate limited frequencies, which could result in missing the only flight to Paro that day.
4. Failing to coordinate with tour operators Since all visitors to Bhutan must book through licensed tour operators, not synchronizing flight bookings with your tour agency can lead to costly schedule misalignments and visa complications.
5. Overlooking baggage allowances The smaller aircraft used on flights to Paro have stricter baggage restrictions than major international carriers, causing unexpected excess baggage charges or left-behind luggage at transit points.

Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines)

Best for: Only airline offering direct flights into Bhutan from multiple Asian hubs.

Operating from 6 European departure points (Frankfurt, Paris, London, Zurich, Rome, and Amsterdam) via Bangkok or Singapore. Most popular connections through Frankfurt, Paris, and London. While not offering direct flights from Europe, Druk Air provides the final leg into Paro with crews specially trained for the challenging Himalayan approach. Economy class features traditional Bhutanese hospitality, 32-inch seat pitch, and authentic Bhutanese meals. Passenger ratings consistently above 4.1/5 for their unique cultural experience.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Superior service quality and seamless connections through Singapore.

Serves 12 European cities to Bhutan via Singapore, with major hubs in London Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Paris CDG. Economy class offers award-winning service with 32-inch seat pitch, extensive entertainment options, and highly rated Singapore Airlines’ cuisine. Single-stop routing through Singapore provides efficient connections with typical layovers of 3-4 hours. Passenger satisfaction rates at 4.5/5, highest among carriers serving Bhutan routes.

Thai Airways

Best for: Most economical routing options with comfortable layover times in Bangkok.

Connects 8 European cities to Bhutan through Bangkok, primarily from London, Paris, and Munich. Economy class features 32-inch seat pitch, Thai hospitality, and well-regarded Asian and Western meal options. Bangkok layover typically 4-5 hours, with access to reasonable-priced lounges. Overall passenger rating of 4.0/5, with particular praise for value-for-money and ground services in Bangkok.

Emirates

Best for: Widest European network with maximum routing flexibility.

Services 15 European departure points to Bhutan via Dubai, with largest operations from London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Economy cabin offers 33-inch seat pitch, extensive entertainment library, and highly rated multicuisine meals. Double-stop routing through Dubai and Bangkok/Singapore, though longer total journey time is offset by high service quality. Maintains 4.3/5 passenger rating, with strong scores for inflight comfort and entertainment options.

Traveling from Europe to Bhutan can be significantly cheaper when leveraging regional Asian carriers instead of booking through major international airlines. This strategy requires breaking down your journey into strategic segments.

The main route strategy

Book your journey in separate legs: first to a major Asian hub, then onward to Bhutan’s Paro International Airport. Key connection points include Bangkok, Singapore, or Delhi.

Money-saving opportunities

1. Use budget carriers like AirAsia or Scoot from major Asian hubs to closer connection points
2. Book Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines separately for the final leg to Paro
3. Consider lesser-known transit points like Kolkata or Kathmandu, which often offer cheaper routes

Important considerations

Leave ample connection time between flights when self-connecting, as regional carriers typically won’t compensate for missed connections. Book directly through airline websites rather than third-party platforms for better rates and easier rebooking if needed.

This approach can save 20-30% compared to traditional single-ticket bookings, though it requires more planning and flexibility with dates.