How to Reach Thimphu From Mumbai

Mumbai is a city that needs no introduction! The capital of Indian state of Maharashtra, this city is often called the ‘City of Dreams’ or the ‘Film Capital of India’. Every day. Thousands of people throng this magnificent city to give wings to their dreams, and become a part of its heart-warming atmosphere.

As the city is very well-connected with the rest of the country and numerous other international destinations, outsiders find it extremely easy to commute to Mumbai. This also attracts a large number of tourists to throng this city, and the locals to travel away from this city to enjoy both national and international holidays. Even if when it comes to Bhutan or the many of its tourist destinations, this city offers a number of communication options to the vacationers. On this note, let’s find out how to reach Thimphu from Mumbai!

How to Reach Thimphu From Mumbai

Unfortunately, Mumbai has no direct flights to Paro International Airport in Bhutan. Thus, the visitors, who plans to reach Thimphu by air, cannot take a direct flight form this city. However, one can fly from Mumbai to any of these airports in India to take a direct flight to Paro. And from Paro, they can finally reach Thimphu by taking a short road journey.

Indian airports that have flights to Paro International Airport:

Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata

Bodhgaya Airport in Gaya (Bihar)

Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri (West Bengal)

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (Assam)

Both the official air carriers of Bhutan: Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines have flights between Paro and the above-mentioned airports.

Also, if any of the international tourists wish to fly to Paro, they can book direct flights from Singapore, Bangkok (Thailand), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Kathmandu (Nepal). There are regular flights flying from these destinations to Paro International Airport.

How to Reach Thimphu from Mumbai by Train

The Land of Thunder Dragons doesn’t have any railway connectivity with any foreign destinations. Thus, if anyone is thinking about how to reach Thimphu from Mumbai by train, s/he must take a train journey to either West Bengal or Assam. Since these two Indian states are the closest points to Bhutan, train journeys to these states would take one almost to Bhutan.

In West Bengal, one can book train tickets to Kolkata, New Jalpaiguri, Siliguri Town, New Alipurduar, or Hasimara railway stations. From these stations, s/he can embark on a road journey through a town called Jaigaon on the Indo-Bhutan border to gain access to Phuentsholing town of Bhutan. From Phuentsholing, one can take the regular buses or hire cabs to reach Thimphu.

From Assam, one can enter Bhutan either through Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar. To enter through Gelephu, one has to deboard the train at Bongaigaon Railway Junction, and drive around 50km (1 hours) to reach Gelephu for a Bhutan entry. Thimphu is around 243km (7 hours’ drive) away from Gelephu.

And to enter through Samdrup Jongkhar, one needs to enjoy the train ride till Guwahati Railway Station; distance would 150km (3 hours). The last part of this journey would include a drive from Samdrup Jongkhar to Thimphu, which would cover almost 419km (11 hours’ drive).

How to Reach Thimphu from Mumbai by Road

For those planning a road trip to reach Thimphu from Mumbai, they can plan the first part of their trip to reach Kolkata from Mumbai. From Kolkata, they can select from two options to reach Thimphu by road.

The first option would be a direct bus ride of 18 hours from Kolkata’s Esplanade Bus Stand. These buses are operated by the Royal Bhutanese Government, and they are available on a regular basis from the bus stand.

The second option to reach Thimphu from Kolkata by road would a road journey from Kolkata Jaigaon, and Jaigaon to Thimphu (via Phuentsholing). After completing 705km (17 hours’) road trip between Kolkata-Jaigaon, visitors can enter into Bhutan through Phuentsholing town. From this town, another 147km or 4 hours’ drive will the visitors to Bhutan’s capital city of Thimphu marking the end of their quest to reach Thimphu from Mumbai by road.