How to Reach Bhutan From Pune

Pune or the ‘Queen of Deccan’ or the ‘Oxford of the East’ is one of the major cities in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Once known as ‘Poona’, this metropolis is known for its rich history, diverse culture, natural beauty and some of the esteemed educational institutions. Well connected through railway network, roadways, and flight connectivity, this city is an ideal destination to reach out major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and several others.

Pune’s well spread connectivity with other destination makes it a wonderful destination for those, who yearns to visit the Happiest Himalayan Country, Bhutan. And in case, you are thinking about how to reach Bhutan from Pune, here are some of the easiest ways to complete this journey by air, train, and road.

How to reach Bhutan from Pune by Air

Unfortunately, Pune has no flight connectivity with Bhutan! However, visitors planning to reach Bhutan from Pune can book their flight tickets to some of the Indian airports that have both direct and connecting flights to Bhutan’s Paro International Airport via Kathmandu (Nepal). These airports are Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi), Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (Kolkata), Bodhgaya Airport (Gaya), Bagdogra Airport (West Bengal) or Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (Guwahati).

Note: Paro International Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan.

How to Reach Bhutan from Pune by Train

Since Pune has a very good railway connectivity, this metropolis proves to be an ideal destination for visitors to reach out any other major Indian cities. Also, as Bhutan doesn’t have any railway connectivity with India, visitors should first take a railway journey to some of the nearby train stations or railway junctions to the Land of Thunder Dragons. Kolkata, Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri, Hasimara, and New Alipurduar in West Bengal, Bongaigaon and Guwahati in Assam are the nearest train stations to reach Bhutan from Pune by train.

Visitors travelling to any of the stations in West Bengal, can further take a roadway journey to Jaigaon town in the Alipurduar district. This town shares its boundary with Bhutan’s Phuentsholing town. Upon arrival at the town, visitors can acquire a tourist visa and make their way Bhutan through Phuentsholing town.

On the other hand, visitors who plan to take a train journey to Assam, they can deboard the train either at Bongaigaon or travel up to Guwahati. From either of these train stations, they can embark on a road journey and complete the journey to reach Bhutan from Pune by train. From Bongaigaon, they can enter into Bhutan through Gelephu entry point, and Samdrup Jongkhar point serves as the ideal point to enter Bhutan from Guwahati.

Here is a list of some of the trains between Pune-Kolkata and Pune-Guwahati:

Azad Hind Express (12129)

Howrah Duronto (12221)

Kamakhya Pune Special Train (02512)

Karmabhoomi Express (22511)

How to reach Bhutan from Pune by Road

Since Kolkata in West Bengal is one of the nearest metropolitan cities to both Pune and Bhutan, this city should be the first destination to complete a road trip from Pune to Bhutan. Upon arrival in Kolkata, visitors can complete the second of the route that would require them to pass through several cities and towns in West Bengal, and would finally take them to a town called Jaigaon in Alipurduar district of West Bengal.

Upon arrival in Jaigaon, visitors can get required authorised permission to officially enter into the Bhutanese territory through Bhutan’s town called Phuentsholing. Thus, one can complete his/her journey to reach Bhutan from Pune by road.