From Sikkim's Himalayan Roads to Bhutan's Mountain Kingdom
Planning a Bhutan trip from Sikkim? The easiest answer to how to reach Bhutan from Sikkim is by road. There is no direct road from Gangtok into Bhutan, so you need to travel through West Bengal and enter Bhutan through the Jaigaon–Phuentsholing border. The road distance from Gangtok to Jaigaon is roughly 214 km, depending on the route, while the actual driving time can vary with traffic, road conditions, and stops.
You can also travel by train for part of the journey. Sikkim does not have an operational railway station yet, so you first need to reach New Jalpaiguri (NJP) or Siliguri, catch a train to a nearby border station like Hasimara, and cross into Bhutan by road. The nearest railheads to Gangtok are NJP, around 125 km away, and Siliguri, around 114 km away.
Flying is another option, but it requires a road transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra Airport (IXB), which is around 124 km away followed by taking a 40-min to 1-hour flight from Bagdogra to Paro. Drukair also operates scheduled services involving Bagdogra and Paro (PBH), although flight schedules change by season.
If you want to combine both destinations without handling every transfer yourself, WanderOn’s Sikkim to Bhutan tour packages can also be a convenient option.
The Sikkim to Bhutan distance depends on your starting point in Sikkim and your entry point in Bhutan. For travellers starting in Gangtok, the most common road route is via Jaigaon and Phuentsholing.
Here is a quick overview:
| Route | Approx Distance | Travel Time |
| Gangtok to Jaigaon via Siliguri | 214–216 km | Around 5–6+ hours |
| Jaigaon to Phuentsholing | Around 18 km | Around 30–45 minutes |
| Gangtok - Phuentsholing | 231-234 km | Around 7-9 hours |
If you are not travelling directly from Gangtok, these are the main transport hubs commonly used to reach Bhutan:
| Starting Point | Distance to Jaigaon | Approx. Travel Time |
| Siliguri | 160 km | Around 4–5 hours |
| Bagdogra Airport | 175 km | Around 4–5 hours |
| NJP | 170 km | Around 4–5 hours |
For most travellers, the best answer to how to travel from Sikkim to Bhutan is by road. Gangtok is connected to Siliguri by road, and from Siliguri you continue towards Jaigaon in West Bengal. Jaigaon sits directly opposite Phuentsholing on the Bhutan side.
Do not plan your journey based on the shortest theoretical driving time. Mountain roads, traffic, roadwork, weather, and meal breaks can all add time. Current transport listings show around 5–6 hours for a taxi journey, while bus travel can take around 10 hours or more because of transfers.
The route can be divided into three parts:
A private taxi is the easiest choice if you are travelling with family or a small group.
You can book a cab from Gangtok to Jaigaon and then complete the Bhutan entry formalities at Phuentsholing. The advantage is flexibility. You can stop along the way, carry your luggage comfortably and avoid changing vehicles several times.
However, check your transport arrangement before booking. An Indian taxi dropping you at Jaigaon does not automatically mean it can take you throughout Bhutan. If you are planning to continue beyond Phuentsholing, arrange your Bhutan-side transport separately where required.
If you are searching for how to reach Bhutan from Sikkim by train, there is one important point to remember: Neither Bhutan nor Sikkim has a railway network for tourist travel.
The railway line connecting Rangpo in Sikkim with Siliguri is still under construction. Therefore, the train can only cover part of your journey.
The main railway stations to consider are:
Gangtok - NJP - Jaigaon - Phuentsholing - Bhutan
Gangtok has no operational railway station, so NJP is the main rail gateway. You can take a connecting train from NJP to Hasimara, with options including Kanchan Kanya Express (13149), NJP–Alipurduar Tourist (15777), Karmabhoomi Express (22511) and other services.
From Hasimara, continue by road to Jaigaon and cross into Phuentsholing.
| Train | Train No. | Approx. Travel Time |
| Kanchan Kanya Express | 13149 | 2 hr 45 min |
| NJP–Alipurduar Tourist | 15777 | Around 3.5 hr |
| Karmabhoomi Express | 22511 | Around 3 hr 30 min |
| Ranchi–Kamakhya Express | 15661 | Around 3 hr 45 min |
| Dr Ambedkar Nagar–Kamakhya Express | 19305 | Around 3 hr |
The exact schedule and stopping pattern may change, so travelers should check the date-specific timetable before booking. Current railway listings show multiple services between NJP and Hasimara.
If you have limited time, flying is another option. However, you cannot fly directly from Gangtok because it does not have a regular international flight connection to Bhutan.
| Flight option | Route | Flight time | Details |
| Direct flight | Bagdogra (IXB) → Paro (PBH) | 1 hour | Drukair operates direct flights on select days. Flight KB131 is listed on the 2026 schedule, with departure around 9:40 AM and arrival around 10:40 AM. |
| Connecting via Kolkata | Bagdogra (IXB) → Kolkata (CCU) → Paro (PBH) | Varies | Useful when a direct IXB–PBH flight is unavailable. Check the connection time and same-day availability. |
| Connecting via Delhi | Bagdogra (IXB) → Delhi (DEL) → Paro (PBH) | Varies | Another alternative when direct Bagdogra–Paro flights don't operate on your date. |
Note: Drukair's operating days and timings can change by season, so check the latest schedule before booking your flight.
| Route | Approx Travel Time |
| Gangtok to Bagdogra Airport (IXB) | Around 4 hours |
| Bagdogra (IXB) to Paro (PBH) | Around 1 hour flight time |
| Gangtok to Paro including transfer | Usually 5–7+ hours |
Phuentsholing is an important entry point for travellers arriving from West Bengal and Sikkim. It also acts as the main road gateway for reaching western Bhutan.
Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Bhutan. Instead, they need an entry permit. Bhutan's Department of Immigration states that Indian nationals can obtain the permit at the port of entry and must present an original Indian passport or voter ID card.
The Consulate General of India in Phuentsholing also confirms that Indian tourists entering by road can obtain the Entry Permit at the immigration office in Phuentsholing.
An Aadhaar Card can be used for a day visit to Phuentsholing only; it should not be treated as a general replacement for a passport or Voter ID for travel deeper into Bhutan.
Biometric registration is also mandatory for visitors entering and exiting through the Phuentsholing Pedestrian Terminal.
The answer depends on your transport:
| Travel Option | Approx Travel Time | Best For |
| Private taxi to Jaigaon | Around 5–6+ hours | Families and groups |
| Bus via Siliguri | Around 10 hours | Budget travellers |
| Train + road | Depends on train schedule | Long-distance travellers |
| Road + Flight | Around 5–7+ hours | Time-conscious travellers |
These are planning estimates, not fixed travel times. Himalayan road conditions can change quickly. If you are travelling during heavy rain, keep extra time because landslides, traffic restrictions and road repairs can affect the journey.
If you are travelling on a budget and want to know how to go to Bhutan from Sikkim without spending too much, road travel is usually the sensible option.
Shared taxis and buses cost less than a private cab, although they take longer and may require a change at Siliguri. Current route information shows bus travel from Gangtok to Jaigaon can take around 10 hours, while private taxi services are considerably quicker but more expensive.
If you do not want to manage transport, hotels, permits, and route planning separately, joining a planned Bhutan group tour Package can make the journey easier. WanderOn’s Bhutan tour packages from Sikkim include organised transfers, stays, itinerary planning, and trip captain support.
| Bhutan Package | Duration | Highlights |
| Bhutan Road Trip Package from Sikkim | 8 Days | Paro, Thimphu, Punakha sightseeing |
| Road Trip to Bhutan with Tiger’s Nest | 6–7 Days | Budget travel, local experiences, monasteries |
| Bhutan with Phobjikha Valley | 7–8 Days | Scenic valleys and offbeat locations |
| Best of Bhutan Tour from Sikkim | 5–6 Days | Perfect for first-time visitors |
Suudha Seth
23 Jun 2026We went to Bhutan thru wander on . I must say they are very reliable n supportive . They were always there whenever we needed them Everything was managed in a very planned manner Special thanks to mr Rahul and mr Mukul They were very helpful through out our trip . Looking forward for many more trips with them Thanks
BHARATI CHATURVEDI
23 Jun 2026Went to trip of Bhutan organised by Wander On .It was a well organised trip.Mukul and Rahul along with their team were cooperative,helpful .Looking forward to next one . Thanks 👍
venigalla pranavi
22 Jun 2026My trip to Bhutan with WanderOn was an unforgettable adventure, packed with everything from stunning mountain landscapes to a literal 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Thimphu!. A huge shoutout to our trip captain ABHIJAY👏, who was incredibly proactive, present, and helpful the entire time. He stayed right with the group during the tough stretches of the trek, ensuring everyone made it back safely down the mountain. His supportive attitude made a massive difference."
Ayesha Rukhsar
22 Jun 2026This was my third trip with WanderOn, this time to Bhutan in June 2026, and I can confidently say I’ve seen a remarkable upgrade since my first trip with them in December 2023. The two biggest reasons I keep choosing WanderOn are women’s safety and their seamless trip coordination. They’ve built such trust that even my parents now ask, “Why aren’t you booking with WanderOn instead of other vendors?” That’s the kind of confidence and impact they’ve created over the years. Yes, they may be slightly premium compared to others, but the experience makes it worth every penny. One thing they never compromise on is the quality of stays. All our accommodations in Bhutan were comfortable, beautiful, and well chosen. The food included in the package was decent, the local guides were amazing, and the itinerary was thoughtfully planned. There was a minor delay on Day 1 due to flight delays, and the team tried their best to accommodate everyone, which eventually led to a delayed border crossing from Jaigaon to Phuentsholing. However, these things can happen while managing a large group, and it was handled professionally. A special mention to our Trip Captain, Abhijay (Avi). Calm, composed, energetic, professional, and incredibly humble—he truly made the trip memorable. It was my birthday during the trip, and I hadn’t mentioned it because I usually don’t celebrate birthdays. But Avi and my fellow travellers changed that for me and made the day feel special. Thank you for that memory. The only disappointment of the trip was the last night’s stay and the vehicle arranged for our drop back to Siliguri. The journey felt quite congested and suffocating, and honestly, it didn’t do justice to the price paid or to the otherwise excellent experience. Overall, this was another wonderful journey with WanderOn, and despite a few shortcomings at the end, I returned with beautiful memories, new friendships, and yet another reason to travel with them again.
Your right to Know!
You can travel from Sikkim to Bhutan by road. The usual route is Gangtok to Siliguri, then Jaigaon and across the border to Phuentsholing. From there, you can continue towards Thimphu or Paro by taxi or private vehicle.
The distance depends on your starting point in Sikkim and destination in Bhutan. Gangtok to Phuentsholing is roughly 450 km by road, while Gangtok to Thimphu is around 500 km. Mountain roads can make the journey longer than the distance suggests.
No, there is no direct train from Sikkim to Bhutan. Sikkim does not have its own railway station either. The nearest major railway station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP), from where you can travel by road towards Jaigaon and enter Bhutan through Phuentsholing.
Travelling from Gangtok to Phuentsholing by road generally takes around 12 to 14 hours, depending on traffic, weather and road conditions. If you continue to Thimphu, the total journey can take around 14 to 16 hours, including border formalities.
The most practical route is Gangtok - Siliguri - Jaigaon - Phuentsholing. Jaigaon is on the Indian side of the border, while Phuentsholing is in Bhutan. After crossing the border, you can continue towards Thimphu, Paro or other destinations.
Yes. Indian citizens do not need a visa, but they need a Bhutan Entry Permit when entering by road. You can obtain it at the Phuentsholing immigration office or apply beforehand. A valid passport or original Voter ID is required.
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