Tavel costs for Bhutan

The Sustainable Development Fee, the visa fee and the daily travel costs explained in simple terms – with a sample calculation for a 10-day trip and all the figures you need to know before booking.

Updated: 20. Juni 2026 Validity of SDF record: bis 31. August 2027 Region: DACH

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) – Bhutan’s tourism levy

Every international visitor pays a government levy – the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) – for each night spent in Bhutan. This fee is channelled directly into healthcare, education, environmental protection and the preservation of Bhutanese culture, and forms the cornerstone of Bhutan’s ‘High Value, Low Volume’ tourism strategy.

Altersgruppe

SDF pro Nacht

Hinweis

Adults & children aged 12 and over

USD 100

Standard rate, valid until 31 August 2027

Children up to the age of 5

USD 0

Completely free

Children aged 6 to 11

USD 50

50% discount

Source: Tourism Council of Bhutan / Department of Immigration. This provision has been in force since 1 September 2023.

The current rate of 100 US dollars is already a reduction: between June 2022 and August 2023, the SDF stood at 200 US dollars per night. The Bhutanese government has halved the rate to make travel more attractive to international visitors, without abandoning the fundamental principle of fee-based, sustainable tourism management. There is currently no flat-rate, permanent discount for longer stays – the SDF is charged in full for each individual night.

Please note: Travel costs and fees are subject to change. This page is regularly updated in line with the latest information from the Bhutan Tourism Board. Last checked: June 2026.

Visa costs for Bhutan

In addition to the SDF, there is a one-off visa fee of 40 US dollars per person, regardless of the duration of your stay. Bhutan Horizonte handles the entire application process for its guests – you do not need to worry about any forms or embassy appointments. The visa is applied for in advance online via the official tourism portal and is a prerequisite for entry.

Daily rates: How much does the holiday cost per day?

The actual tour price – i.e. accommodation, meals, tour guide and transport – is charged in addition to the SDF and depends primarily on the group size. Bhutan Horizonte applies the following daily rates for its individual ‘Flexi-Experience’ tours:

Reiseart

Preis pro Person & Nacht

Private trip on your own (1 person)

540 €

Private trip for two (2 people)

390 €

Private tour in a small group (3–4 people)

380 €

Domestic flight from Jakar to Bumthang

Domestic flight: Yonphula / Eastern Bhutan

280 € p. P.

Comfort and Deluxe accommodation (4–6 stars)

on request

Source: Bhutan Horizonte, ‘Flexi-Experience’ travel programme, as at June 2026. Bookable for a minimum of 6 nights; dates can be chosen individually.

These daily rates are all-inclusive – the Sustainable Development Fee and all other government charges are already included; there are no hidden additional costs to pay on site.

Included in the daily rate

Bhutan visa, including application
Sustainable Development Fee and all government charges
Permit fees for trekking and road use
Local tour guide throughout the trip
Accommodation in mid-range hotels/lodges
All meals (full board)
Private, air-conditioned vehicles with driver
Entrance fees to museums and cultural programmes
Travel liability and insolvency insurance

Not included in daily rate

International flights to Bhutan
Personal expenses & tips
Drinks at the hotel or restaurant
German-speaking guide (on request, at an additional cost)
Travel insurance (health and cancellation cover)
Personal equipment (e.g. sleeping bag, down jacket)

Sample calculation: 10 days in Bhutan for two people

To give you a clearer idea of the costs, here is a specific example of the costs for a 10-day private trip to Bhutan for two people, with mid-range accommodation and excluding domestic flights:

10 nights · 2 people · mid-range

Daily rate for a private trip (2 people) – €390 × 10 nights

3.900 € p. P.

Included: SDF, visa, full board, guide, transport

already included

Total price per person

from €3,900

Excluding the international flight to Paro (which Bhutan Horizonte can arrange on request), as well as personal expenses and tips. For Comfort or Deluxe accommodation, the daily rate increases accordingly – prices available on request.

By way of comparison: a solo trip over the same period with Bhutan Horizonte costs €540 per night instead of €390, i.e. €5,400 for 10 nights – the surcharge for solo travellers is due to the fact that the guide and vehicle cannot be shared amongst several people.

Frequently asked questions about the cost of travelling to Bhutan

Are exclusive or luxury trips to Bhutan possible?

Yes – Bhutan Horizonte also offers luxury and exclusive tours to Bhutan. These include hand-picked boutique and comfortable lodges, private guides, customized itineraries, special activities such as wellness treatments, cooking classes, or exclusive ceremonies, and a high standard of service and comfort for a relaxed, tailor-made travel experience.

How much time should you plan for a trip to Bhutan?

Ideally, you should plan at least 14 days for a trip to Bhutan to explore the country at a relaxed pace. This allows enough time for arrival and acclimatization, visits to the most important cities and valleys such as Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, or Bumthang, as well as for excursions, hikes, and cultural experiences. Those who want to experience Bhutan more intensively or undertake trekking tours should plan for 12–18 days or longer.

Is my deposit and trip financially secured by a security certificate?

Ja, Ihre Einlage ist sicher, Sie buchen bei einem deutschen Reiseveranstalter und bekommen einen Reise-Sicherungsschein - dies sichert Ihre Reise finanziell komplett ab...

What are the "SDF state charges" and how are they calculated?

SDF stands for "Sustainable Development Fee" and is a mandatory fee levied on foreign tourists in Bhutan. This fee contributes to financing education, health, and infrastructure projects in the country. The SDF fee is currently USD 100 per person per night. This fee is included in our tour price, and as a tour operator, we remit it to the government before the trip to Bhutan.

Are tips customary in Bhutan?

Tips are not mandatory in Bhutan, but they are appreciated in the tourism industry as a sign of appreciation for good service. It is common to tip guides, drivers, trekking teams, and hotel staff. However, the amount of the tip is subjective and depends on satisfaction with the service.

Would you like to work out how these figures apply to your own trip? The sample calculations above are for guidance only – the actual price depends on the duration of your trip, the size of your group, your chosen accommodation category and the itinerary.
Let our Bhutan team put together a personalised, no-obligation quote for your Flexi-Experience trip – with all costs clearly itemised.

Are you interested in a trip to Bhutan?

We look forward to planning your individual Bhutan trip with you.

berghorizonte GmbH
Christian Schubert
Alatseestrasse 18
D-87629 Füssen im Allgäu

Montag - Samstag:
09 - 19 Uhr

berghorizonte GmbH
Christian Schubert
Alatseestrasse 18
D-87629 Füssen im Allgäu

Montag - Samstag:
09 - 19 Uhr

+49 (0) 8362 930 86 72

+41 (0) 43 508 52 34

info@berg-horizonte.de

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How much does a trip to Bhutan cost? An overview of all fees, visas and daily rates