Tips for Affordable Bhutan Tour Packages

Written by Bhutan Jewel Travel  »  Updated on: June 10th, 2025

Tips for Affordable Bhutan Tour Packages

Planning a trip to Bhutan next month? Don’t know how to get the most out of Bhutan without spending too much money on your visit? Luckily, there are many tips for planning affordable Bhutan tour packages that you can devise before your Bhutan visit. However, most people do not have any inkling of them. They choose the best tour operator in Bhutan and book their Bhutan tours straightaway. However, they regret it later as their Bhutan tours are much more expensive than they have ever thought of. If you want to explore Bhutan affordably, the following tips will be extremely helpful for you:

Opt for Group Tours

One of the best ways to visit Bhutan affordably is to choose group tours. They are extremely beneficial for you as they let you minimize your travel costs to a certain extent. For example, if you are visiting Bhutan with your friends, the expenditure of your visit will decrease automatically. Shared transport, hotel room rates, and guide services—the per-person rate for all these services will come down to a great extent. Many travel companies in Bhutan offer group tours in your budget. Thus, if you want to visit Bhutan without spending a large amount of money, you must consider visiting this country in groups. This will make your Bhutan trip much more affordable.

Choose the Best Time

Another best way to choose affordable Bhutan tour packages is by selecting the right time for your visit. The peak seasons to visit the country are spring and autumn. During this time, the hotel rooms and prices of the tours are beyond your budget. Thus, avoid planning your trip during this time. However, the best time to visit Bhutan without spending extra money is the off-peak season. The months from June to August and December to February are the best to visit this beautiful country. During this season, hotel owners and tour operators provide good discounts to the tourists. Moreover, you will also experience less rush in most of the places in Bhutan during this time.

Proper knowledge of Visas and Permits

If you are looking for an affordable trip to Bhutan, you must possess the proper knowledge of the required permits and visas before your Bhutan visit. Most foreign travelers need to apply for a visa to enter Bhutan. However, citizens of the Maldives, Bangladesh, and India do not require it. They only require an entry permit at the airport and have to make a payment of reduced SDF. Thus, you need to focus on Punakha, Paro, and Thimphu if you are looking for an affordable trip to Bhutan. Moreover, traveling to these areas won’t require special permits on your part.

Choosing the Right Tour Operator

Tour operators in Bhutan offer you customized Bhutan tour packages according to your specific requirements. They discuss your specific travel needs and offer you the Bhutan package as per your budget. However, you can choose the best tour operator in Bhutan to save money on your tour. If you are desirous of minimizing your travel costs, you can choose the budget accommodation during your Bhutan tour. You can choose affordable Bhutan cultural tours and other tours that are the best fit for your needs.

Budget-Friendly Ways to Get to Bhutan

Bhutan has only one airport that operates flights to international locations. Many flights fly to Bhutan from a number of places, such as Kathmandu, Kolkata, Delhi, Singapore, and Bangkok. However, it is expensive to catch a flight to Bhutan from here. Thus, you need to book your flights in advance to avoid extra charges. You are bound to pay these charges if you book a flight at the eleventh hour. Thus, booking your flight 2-3 months before your trip will save you money.

If you are an Indian, you can enter Bhutan by road. One of the most popular entry points is the Phuentsholing border crossing. Once you reach here, you can take a shared bus or taxi to Paro or Thimphu. This route is not only full of breathtaking views but also saves you money during your Bhutan trip.

Choose Affordable Accommodation Options

Exploring Bhutan without spending a large amount of money is possible if you avoid booking luxurious hotels. The country has no dearth of budget-friendly hotels. They are perfect for the ones who are short of money and want to visit Bhutan on a budget. Thus, you can choose guesthouses or homestays instead of choosing fancy hotels. Staying at these places is not only within your budget but also lets you meet the local people in Bhutan and learn about their way of living. You will only need to spend $15 to $30 per night to stay in homestays in Punakha, Paro, and Thimphu.

The homestays in the country are equipped with all important facilities such as Wi-Fi, hot water, good accommodation, etc. If you are lucky, you can find a homestay where you will be able to get scenic views of valleys and mountains. Some homestays in Bhutan let you try Bhutanese clothes without any extra cost. This is a great experience for the tourists. They also have the opportunity to learn about the culture of Bhutan by interacting with the local families. Thus, choosing affordable accommodation in Bhutan will save you a considerable amount of money. If you want to experience this country without spending extra money, it is best to book your Bhutan tour packages in advance.

Eat Well Without Spending Too Much Money

Most Bhutan tour packages offer you food. However, if you want to eat the local food, you will find many inexpensive food options here. You will find home-style and tasty food in many local eateries. These eateries serve several famous dishes of Bhutan, such as Ema Datshi, Phaksha Paa, momos, Domas, etc. You will find meals at medium-range restaurants at $2-$5. However, you can also try street food, which will be much more affordable. You can also carry instant noodles or a few snacks if you are traveling to areas that offer limited food options. This will also save you money during your Bhutan visit.

Plan a Smart Itinerary

Make sure to plan your itinerary wisely. One of the most popular itineraries is the one that covers Punakha, Paro, and Thimphu. As these places are close to each other, they help you reduce the travel time as well as the costs of fuel. Start exploring Paro first. You can reach here via road or air. After exploring this city, you can head to the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, on the second day. Spend at least 2 days here and explore places such as Tashichho Dzong, Buddha Dordenma, and Memorial Chorten. After covering these places, you can go to Punakha to explore the popular places here. Here, you will see the riverside dzong and suspension bridge. If you limit your itinerary to only these 3 places, you can save money to a great extent.

Use Local Transportation

You will get a private vehicle from your tour operator. However, you will have to pay for these services. Private vehicles are economical if you are traveling in small groups. However, if you are alone, this will be quite expensive for you. Thus, the best would be to use shared taxis and public buses if you want to explore Bhutan affordably. The local transport in Bhutan is budget-friendly for the travelers. However, they don’t provide you with much comfort. Thus, be prepared for it before opting for them.

Enjoy Cultural Experiences

Bhutan is best known for its rich cultural heritage. However, you don’t need to spend a single penny to experience it during your Bhutan tour. Most Bhutan culture tours offer free entry to the major monasteries and dzongs of Bhutan. Apart from that, you can also take part in many religious festivals that are organized here. Attending them is the best way to learn about the culture of Bhutan without spending any money. During these festivals, you will get to know about the ancient rituals of Bhutan. The local people wear colorful dresses and masks while celebrating these festivals. You can also wear traditional dresses of Bhutan on these occasions by paying only a few dollars.

Shop on a Budget

You can also shop on a budget during your Bhutan tour. You can buy popular wooden carvings and handcrafted textiles in local markets of Bhutan at the best prices. Shopkeepers in the rural areas also sell them at the right prices. You can also explore village stalls and weekend markets in Thimphu.

Plan for Affordable Bhutan Tours: Conclusion

Planning affordable Bhutan tour packages is easy if you manage your travel budget perfectly. Choosing an off-season Bhutan tour, staying in affordable accommodations, and using local transportation are some of the ways to minimize the cost of traveling to this country. Travelers can explore Bhutan without spending money by choosing customized Bhutan tours. If you are an Indian and want to visit Bhutan on a budget, choose affordable Bhutan tours from India. However, if you are a local, find the best tour operator in Bhutan and get a customized tour as per your specific requirements. Bhutan Jewel Travel is one of the renowned Bhutan travel agencies that let you explore Bhutan without spending a fortune.



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