Thimphu to Paro
Your options
Ways to make the trip
1.5–2 hours
About Nu 70–100 a seat · Public buses leave Thimphu's main bus station for Paro several times a day. No guide is needed between Thimphu and Paro.
1.5 hours
₹200–300 a seat · Shared taxis run from the Thimphu taxi stand when full. Quicker and more frequent than the bus.
1.5 hours
₹2,500–3,500 per car · A Bhutan-registered car with driver, with time to stop at Tachogang Lhakhang and Chuzom on the way.
Worth a stop
- Chuzom, the river confluence with its three chortens
- Tachogang Lhakhang and its iron chain bridge
- Paro airport viewpoint above the runway
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How far is Paro from Thimphu?
About 55 km, roughly 1.5 hours by car. The road follows the Wang Chhu south to Chuzom, then turns west up the Paro Chhu valley past the airport. It is a good, wide road by Bhutanese standards. Buses and shared taxis run through the day.
Do I need a guide between Thimphu and Paro?
No. Both districts are within the area where tourists may move without a guide, so you can take a bus or taxi on your own with a valid entry permit. Many visitors still use their guide's car for convenience. Rules can change, so check current status before you travel.
What is there to see between Thimphu and Paro?
At Chuzom, the Paro Chhu and Wang Chhu meet, marked by three chortens in Bhutanese, Nepali and Tibetan styles. Nearby, Tachogang Lhakhang has an iron chain bridge linked to the 15th-century bridge-builder Thangtong Gyalpo. Above Paro, a viewpoint overlooks the airport.
Is Thimphu to Paro airport the same drive?
Almost. Paro airport lies about 6 km before Paro town, so the drive from Thimphu to the airport is about 50 km and 1 hour. For morning flights, leave Thimphu 2.5–3 hours before departure to allow for check-in and security.