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The Happiest Place on Earth, Bhutan
How to Reach Bhutan from Kolkata?
So first of all, the distance between Kolkata and Bhutan is about 1,038 kilometres. It can take you more than a day to reach the latter, if you go by road journey. But there are two ways of reaching Bhutan from Kolkata, either by air or by road journey. The former is more expensive but shorter while the latter is less expensive but takes a longer time. Make sure you have your passport, minimum of six months validity, and an identification proof ready too. These documents are necessary for obtaining an entry permit to the country of Bhutan. But for other nationalities, aside from
Bangladeshi, Indian and
Maldivian, they need to obtain a visa prior to entering Bhutan.
By Air
1. Direct Flight from Kolkata to Bhutan - The main airport of Bhutan is the Paro International Airport and luckily, it has direct flights from some cities of India, including Kolkata. Both the airlines operating in Bhutan, Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines, have flights to and from Kolkata. Flights can be very expensive though especially during peak tourist season.
Bhutan Airlines Flights from Kolkata to Bhutan
| Airline | Flight Number | Departure | Arrival | Schedule | Fare |
| Bhutan Airlines | B3701 | 8:15 | 9:55 | Daily | Rs. 17,068 |
| Bhutan Airlines | B3715 | 8:30[/td[td]10:10 | Tuesday and Wednesday | Rs. 17,068 | |
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Druk Air Flights from Kolkata to Bhutan
| Airline | Flight Number | Departure | Arrival | Schedule | Fare |
| Druk Air | 121 | 8:30 | 10:10 | Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday | Rs. 20,127 |
| Druk Air | 211 | 9:10 | 10:50 | Saturday | Rs. 20,127 |
| Druk Air | 501 | 9:10 | 10:50 | Wednesday, Friday and Monday | Rs. 20,127 |
As you can see, journey duration is barely two hours. The air fare prices can be very expensive though but still considerably less than the air fares from Delhi to Bhutan. When you reach the airport, just show your Indian passport and maybe an identification proof if required and you're good to go.
By Road
Road journey is a bit more complicated and tiring yet very affordable. You also have plenty of options when it comes to road journey. But first, let us discuss the different border points in India with Bhutan. In total, there are three border points in India that you can cross over with to reach Bhutan. One is in West Bengal and the other two are in Assam.
Different Border Points in India and Bhutan
| Border | State | Location |
| Jaigaon/Phuentsholing | West Bengal | West |
| Bongaigaon/Gelephu | Assam | Central |
| Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar | Assam | East |
Out of these three border points, the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border is the most preferred by travellers. It is easily accessible and the facilities for staying as well as obtaining an entry permit here are better. So we will begin by finding out how to reach the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border from Kolkata.
→How to Reach Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border from Kolkata
1. By Train to Hasimara and Auto/Shared Jeep/Taxi to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border - This is the easiest and most convenient way of reaching the border from Kolkata. You just ride a train to the Hasimara Railway Station from Kolkata and from the Hasimara Railway Station, just ride an auto rickshaw to Jaigaon. Your route would be:
- Kolkata > Train to Hasimara > Rickhsaw to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border
There are direct trains from Kolkata to Hasimara although they are quite few. Journey duration would be around 13 hours to 15 hours, more or less. Fare is also very minimal, if you choose the lower classes.
Trains from Kolkata to Hasimara
| Train Name & Number | Departure Station - Time | Arrival Station - Time | Schedule |
| Kanchankanya Express Train No. 13149 | Sealdah - 20:30 | Hasimara - 10:46 | Daily |
| Karmabhoomi Express Train No. 22511 | Howrah Junction - 21:55 | Hasimara - 12:15 | Thursday |
| Kolkata Alipur Duar Special Fare Train No. 03129 | Kolkata - 22:45 | Hasimara - 12:20 | Sunday |
These are the only three trains departing from Kolkata and reaching Hasimara. You can choose between the Sealdah Railway Station, Howrah Railway Station or Kolkata Railway Station. But the best station would be the first one as it has daily train schedules reaching Hasimara. The fare costs for this route would differ, depending on the class you book.
Train Fares from Kolkata to Hasimara
| Class | Fare |
| First Class AC | Rs. 2,500 |
| Second Class AC | Rs. 1,450 |
| Third Class AC | Rs. 1,005 |
| Sleeper Class | Rs. 370 |
| General | Rs. 215 |
From Hasimara Railway Station, the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border is merely 15.7 kilometres or 30 minutes away. At this point, you have several options, going by auto rickshaw, shared jeep or taxi to reach the border. An auto rickshaw costs around Rs. 120, a shared jeep costs around Rs. 50 per person and lastly, a private taxi costs around Rs. 400.
2. By Train to New Jalpaiguri and Taxi/Bus to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border - Another option would be to reach the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and from there, either ride a shared jeep or a bus to reach the border. Since there are direct trains to Hasimara, this is not really a recommended option, unless you cannot make it on time to the schedules of the previous trains. Your route would be:
- Kolkata > Train to New Jalpaiguri > Taxi/Bus to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border
Trains from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri
| Train Name & Number | Departure Station - Time | Arrival Station - Time | Schedule |
| Testa Torsa Express Train No. 13141 | Sealdah - 13:40 | New Jalpaiguri - 2:40 | Daily |
| Howrah New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express Train No. 12041 | Howrah Junction - 14:15 | New Jalpaiguri - 22:25 | Daily except Sunday |
| Saraighat Express Train No. 12345 | Howrah Junction - 15:50 | New Jalpaiguri - 1:40 | Daily |
| Kamrup Express Train No. 15959 | Howrah Junction - 17:35 | New Jalpaiguri - 6:20 | Daily |
| Uttar Banga Express Train No. 13147 | Sealdah - 19:35 | New Jalpaiguri - 6:45 | Daily |
Journey duration would be around 10 to 14 hours, more or less. You can choose from the same railway stations in Kolkata, Howrah Junction or Sealdah. There are many more trains plying this route but the ones listed above are those that have daily schedules or many schedules within a week.
Train Fares from Kolkata to New Jalpaiguri
| Class | Fare |
| First Class AC | Rs. 2,170 |
| Second Class AC | Rs. 1,295 |
| Third Class AC | Rs. 915 |
| Sleeper Class | Rs. 350 |
| General | Rs. 200 |
From the New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border is about 150 kilometres away. You can choose to hire a taxi, which costs around Rs. 1,700 to Rs. 2,000 to reach the border. Or you can opt for a cheaper mode of travel, via bus, which are plenty in Siliguri. Just ride a taxi to take you to the Siliguri Bus Stand, it won't cost more than Rs. 100. Then, from the Siliguri Bus Stand, board a bus going to Jaigaon. There are two buses, operated by the Royal Bhutanese Government, plying through this route daily.
Buses from Siliguri to Jaigaon
| Bus Number | Departure Time | Fare |
| Bus No. 1 | 7:30 | Rs. 80 |
| Bus No. 2 | 13:30 | Rs. 80 |
Bus journey can take around 4 to 5 hours, more or less. It can be a bit bumpy though so do take some rest in Jaigaon once you reach it.
3. Bus to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border - From Kolkata, there are direct buses plying to the Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border. Journey duration would be around 18 to 20 hours. It's a bit long so if you're not used to bus journeys, you better avoid this option. Cost-wise, it is very inexpensive and very suitable for budget travellers. This bus is also operated by the Royal Bhutanese Government but there is only one bus plying a few days a week to the border.
Bus from Kolkata to Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border
| Departure Time | Schedule | Fare |
| 19:00 | Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday | Rs. 653 |
→How to Reach Bongaigaon/Gelephu Border from Kolkata
1. By Train to New Bongaigaon and Taxi to Bongaigaon/Gelephu Border - There are direct trains plying from Kolkata to the New Bongaigaon Railway Station in Assam. Journey duration would be around 15 to 20 hours, more or less.
Trains from Kolkata to New Bongaigaon
| Train Name & Number | Departure Station - Time | Arrival Station - Time | Schedule |
| Guwahati Garib Rath Train No. 12517 | Kolkata - 21:40 | New Bongaigaon - 12:35 | Sunday and Thursday |
| Kanchanjanga Express Train No. 25657 | Sealdah - 6:35 | New Bongaigaon - 00:30 | Monday, Wednesday and Saturday |
| Saraighat Express Train No. 12345 | Howrah Junction - 15:50 | New Bongaigaon - 6:28 | Daily |
| Kamrup Express Train No. 15959 | Howrah Junction - 17:35 | New Bongaigaon - 11:40 | Daily |
| Guwahati Express Train No. 12515 | Kolkata Santragachi- 10:03 | New Bongaigaon - 2:20 | Tuesday |
There are many more trains plying this route but most of them don't have daily schedules. So do check their schedules and timings in advance so you can fit it into your personal schedule.
Train Fares from Kolkata to New Bongaigaon
| Class | Fare |
| First Class AC | Rs. 1,235 |
| Second Class AC | Rs. 740 |
| Third Class AC | Rs. 540 |
| Sleeper Class | Rs. 170 |
From New Bongaigaon, the Bongaigaon/Gelephu Border is about 57 kilometres away or a 2-hour road journey. You have no other option, at this point, but to ride a taxi from the railway station to the border. It would cost around Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 1,500.
→How to Reach Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar Border from Kolkata
1. By Train to Rangiya and Taxi to Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar Border - The nearest railway station to the Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar is the Rangiya Junction in Assam, near Guwahati. There are some trains directly plying from Kolkata to this station. Journey duration is around 17 to 24 hours.
Trains from Kolkata to Rangiya Junction
| Train Name & Number | Departure Station - Time | Arrival Station - Time | Schedule |
| Kanchanjanga Express Train No. 15657 | Sealdah - 6:35 | Rangiya - 2:20 | Tuesday and Friday |
| Kanchanjanga Express Train No. 25657 | Sealdah - 6:35 | Rangiya - 2:20 | Monday, Wednesday and Saturday |
| Guwahati Express Train No. 12507 | Kolkata Santragachi- 13:10 | Rangiya - 6:12 | Thursday |
| Kamrup Express Train No. 15959 | Howrah Junction - 17:35 | Rangiya - 13:35 | Daily |
| Guwahati Express Train No. 12515 | Kolkata Santragachi- 10:03 | Rangiya - 4:00 | Tuesday |
As you can see, trains are quite sparse but you can still find a few that would fit within your schedule. Fares differ depending on the class too.
Train Fares from Kolkata to Rangiya Junction
| Class | Fare |
| Second Class AC | Rs. 1,785 |
| Third Class AC | Rs. 1,245 |
| Sleeper | Rs. 475 |
From Rangiya Junction, the Darangamela/Samdrup Jongkhar Border is just an hour away. There is no other option from here but taking a taxi to reach the border, which can cost anywhere between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,200.
I hope this helps you.[/td]
Take a local shared jeep or bus from Buxa to Hasimara (~15 km, ~30-40 minutes).
From Hasimara, board a shared auto, bus, or hire a taxi to Jaigaon (~10 km, ~20 minutes).
Once at Jaigaon, walk across the Bhutan Gate to enter Phuentsholing.
