Are you dreaming of a trip to the Kingdom of Bhutan? You're in for a treat because it’s now so easy to go, especially coming from Singapore. Located high in the Himalayas, this small nation has captivated thousands of travellers with how it measures national progress through Gross National Happiness.
That said, setting foot in this amazing location is no easy feat. You'll need to sort out your Singapore to Bhutan flights first, and that's where DrukAir comes into play.
DrukAir also known as Royal Bhutan Airlines is the national flag carrier of Bhutan. It was founded in 1981 and since then, it has been connecting the country to the world for over four decades.
There are two main options for this. First is booking directly through DrukAir's website and second is going through a travel agent. The first option is quite straightforward. You'll see the available flights easily.
Many Singaporean travel agencies can also book the flights and package them with hotel stays and tours.
That said, keep in mind that booking Singapore to Bhutan flights isn't quite the same as hopping over to Bangkok for a weekend. Bhutan has this thing called the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) which is a daily tourist tax amounting to $100 USD per person per day.
Note that DrukAir's flight schedule is not as frequent as what you might be used to with other airlines. They typically operate flights between Singapore and Paro (Bhutan's main international airport) only a couple times a week so you should be flexible with your travel dates.
A pro tip is to book early since these flights can get sold out quickly.
As of press time, the Singapore to Bhutan flights are operating twice a week which might seem a bit limited but that's part of what makes Bhutan special. It's not a place you can just pop over to on a whim.
The outbound flight, KB541, takes off from Singapore's Changi Airport on Thursdays and Sundays at 12:30 pm. After a quick pit stop in Guwahati, India, you'll touch down in Paro, Bhutan at 4:45 pm local time. The whole journey takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes.
For the return leg, flight KB540 departs from Paro on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:50 am. Again, there's a brief stopover in Guwahati before you land back in Singapore at 3:55 pm. It's a slightly longer journey at about 7 hours and 5 minutes.
If you’re already looking up how to go to Bhutan, then you probably have an idea what you can find there. Just to keep you more intrigued, we’ve rounded up why you shouldn’t miss this incredible destination.
Singapore is such an amazing place but unfortunately, the concrete jungle can be very tiring too. However, Bhutan’s landscapes will give you a breath of fresh air - literally!
This Himalayan kingdom is a nature lover's paradise with its snow-capped mountains that'll make you feel like you've stepped into a National Geographic documentary.
Bhutan takes its environment seriously with a constitutional mandate to maintain at least 60% of its land under forest cover. So when you're there you can trek through unspoilt forests and spot rare wildlife.
Bhutan isn't called the Last Shangri-La for nothing. This tiny kingdom has managed to preserve its cultural heritage. Many people who have visited there often cite that they feel like they have travelled back in time. From the moment you step off those Singapore to Bhutan flights, you'll be surrounded by a culture so rich.
You'll see men and women going about their daily lives in traditional dress, and even ancient fortresses called dzongs that still function as administrative centres. There are also colourful festivals. You will want to reach for your camera every five seconds. Plus, Bhutan has the ubiquitous prayer flags fluttering in the wind, sending blessings to all beings. It's a place where tradition and modernity coexist in perfect harmony.
This is something you don't hear every day - a country that measures its progress not just by GDP, but by the happiness of its people. Bhutan's concept of Gross National Happiness might sound a bit strange to the rest of the world but it's a philosophy that'll make you rethink what really matters in life.
What this means is Bhutan prioritises things like environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and community vitality alongside economic growth. It's a refreshing change from the rat race Singaporeans are used to.
This mountain kingdom is fast becoming a hotspot for adventure sports such as white-water rafting in raging Himalayan rivers and mountain biking through challenging terrain. For those who prefer their adventures a bit more vertical, Bhutan offers some of the most majestic trekking routes in the world.
The famous Snowman Trek which is notorious for being one of the world's toughest trek is right here. The country also has plenty of easier hikes which will still give you breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Bhutan being opened to foreign travellers. Many people consider visiting this country part of their bucket list, and once you see its photos, you won’t even be wondering why. So if you are ready to be amazed, it’s time to finally book a flight from Singapore to Bhutan.