Bhutan map & Driving Distances.
As depicted in the map, Bhutan is divided into 20 districts. For tourist visiting Bhutan via air have only one entrance; Paro. For those entering via road has three main entrances; Phuntsholing under Chhukha district (Southwest), Gelephu under Sarpang district (Southern central) and Samdrupjongkhar (Southeast).
Phuntsholing and Gelephu shares border with Indian state of West Bengal and Samdrupjongkhar shares border with Indian state of Assam.
In 2016 around 93 % of international tourist and 31% of regional tourist (Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian) to Bhutan have entered via air, i.e. from Paro and remaining 7% of international tourist and 69% of regional tourist have entered via road (90% from Phuntsholing and rest from Gelephu & Samdrupjongkhar).
Bhutan’s national highway starts from Phuntsholing (Chhukha district), enters Thimphu, passes via Wangduephodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar, Trashigang and ends at Samdrupjongkhar.
Annually Bhutan receives around sixty thousands (60000) of international tourist and over hundred thousands of regional tourist (Indian, Bangladeshis & Maldivian). Amongst this, around 75% visits only 3 western districts of Bhutan; Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.
The table below shows the distances between few of the important tourist visiting places in Bhutan and some of the nearest Indian airports to Bhutan.
From | To | Distance | Driving Time |
Paro | Thimphu | 65 km | 1 hour 10 minutes |
Paro | Haa | 70 km | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Thimphu | Punakha | 77 km | 3 hours |
Punakha | Wangdue Phodrang | 15 km | 45 minutes |
Punakha | Gangtey | 78 km | 3 hours |
Gangtey | Trongsa | 120 km | 5 hours |
Punakha | Trongsa | 142 km | 6 hours |
Trongsa | Bumthang | 65 km | 2 hours |
Bumthang | Mongar | 190 km | 8 hours |
Mongar | Trashigang | 91 km | 4 hours |
Mongar | Lhuntse | 75 km | 3 hours |
Trashigang | Trashi Yangtse | 55 km | 2 hours |
Trashigang | Samdrup Jongkhar | 180 km | 7 hours |
Phuntsholing | Thimphu | 172 km | 5 hours 30 minutes |
Phuntsholing | Paro | 165 km | 5 hours |
Gelephu | Thimphu | 256 km | 9 hours |
Bagdogra airport (India) | Phuntsholing | 170 km | 4 hours 30 minutes |
Siliguri (India) | Phuntsholing | 155 km | 4 hours |
Guwahati (India) | Samdrup Jongkhar | 111 km | 3 hours |
Note: Due to nature of road and terrain, the average speed one can drive in Bhutan is 35 to 50 km per hour.