Phuentsholing to Thimphu
Your options
Ways to make the trip
5.5–6.5 hours
About Nu 300 (₹300) a seat · Public buses leave the Phuentsholing bus station several times a day. Tickets can be bought a day ahead at the counter or through the national online ticketing system. You need your entry permit to board.
5 hours
₹800–1,200 a seat · Shared taxis leave from near the bus station when full. They are quicker than buses but less regular, and seats in front cost more.
5 hours
₹6,000–8,000 per car · A Bhutan-registered car with driver, usually booked with your guide and tour. You can stop at Kharbandi Goemba, the waterfalls and Chuzom on the way.
Worth a stop
- Kharbandi Goemba above Phuentsholing
- Gedu and the Chukha hydropower area
- Chuzom, the confluence of the Paro Chhu and Wang Chhu
- Tachogang Lhakhang iron bridge near Chuzom
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How far is Thimphu from Phuentsholing?
About 160 km by road, taking 5–6 hours. The highway climbs from the plains through forest, past Gedu and Chukha, to Chuzom and then up the Wang Chhu valley to Thimphu. Road widening has improved the journey, but fog and monsoon landslides can still cause delays.
Do I need a guide to travel from Phuentsholing to Thimphu?
Thimphu and Paro are within the area where tourists may move without a guide, and many Indian travellers take the public bus between Phuentsholing and Thimphu on their own with a valid permit. A guide becomes mandatory beyond Thimphu and Paro. Rules have changed since 2022. Check current status before you travel.
Is the Phuentsholing to Thimphu road safe?
Yes, it is a well-maintained national highway driven daily by buses and trucks. It is winding, with steep drops in places, and fog is common around Gedu. In the monsoon, landslides can block it for hours. Travel in daylight and take motion-sickness tablets if needed.
Can I go straight from Phuentsholing to Paro?
Yes. The road to Paro branches off at Chuzom, and Paro is about 145 km and 5 hours from Phuentsholing. Buses also run to Paro. Many travellers go to Thimphu first and visit Paro last, closer to the Taktsang walk and an exit by air or road.