The Bhutan SDF for Indians is ₹1,200 per person, per night, and it is the one government charge every Indian visitor pays, whichever hotel, route or tour operator you choose. Because it is charged nightly, it is also the line on your quote that grows fastest as your trip gets longer.
We are a licensed tour operator based in Thimphu, and this is the question Indian guests ask us most. This guide covers the exact rate for 2026-27, what children pay, the full permit cost for Indians, how to pay, and the mistakes that cost families money.
Bhutan SDF for Indians at a glance
| Question | Answer (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| SDF for an Indian adult | ₹1,200 per night |
| SDF for a child aged 6 to 11 | ₹600 per night |
| SDF for a child under 6 | Free |
| Visa needed? | No, a free entry permit instead |
| Charged per day or per night? | Per night spent in Bhutan |
| Accepted ID | Indian passport or Voter ID (not Aadhaar) |
| Border-town day visits | SDF waived for up to 24 hours |
| Refundable? | Yes, for nights not used |
What is the SDF in Bhutan?
SDF stands for Sustainable Development Fee. It is a nightly levy set by the Royal Government of Bhutan and paid by almost every tourist, Indian or foreign. The money funds free healthcare and education for Bhutanese citizens, forest and wildlife conservation, and the infrastructure that keeps tourism small and well managed. Bhutan calls this policy "high value, low volume".
Until 2020, visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives paid nothing. As regional arrivals grew sharply, Bhutan introduced a much lower SDF for these "regional tourists" in July 2020. The Indian rate has stayed at ₹1,200 per night ever since, while most other nationalities pay USD 100.
Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang) monastery in Paro, one of the sites the SDF helps protect
How much is the Bhutan SDF for Indians in 2026-27?
The SDF is charged per person, for every night you spend in Bhutan. Days do not matter; nights do. A 6-day, 5-night trip means 5 nights of SDF.
Bhutan SDF rates for Indian adults, children and other nationalities
| Indian traveller | SDF per night | 5 nights | 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (12 years and above) | ₹1,200 | ₹6,000 | ₹8,400 |
| Child (6 to under 12) | ₹600 | ₹3,000 | ₹4,200 |
| Child (under 6) | Free | Free | Free |
You can pay in Indian rupees or ngultrum, which are pegged one to one. These rates match the official Bhutan tourism FAQ, and no change to the Indian rate has been announced for 2027.
Is the SDF included in a Bhutan tour package?
Sometimes, and you should never assume it. Some operators quote a package price with the SDF already inside, others add it at the end, and a few leave it for you to pay at the border. Ask for the SDF to be shown on its own line. A quote that says "SDF extra" for a family of four on 6 nights can hide ₹20,000 or more. Every Orrog Bhutan tour package quote lists it separately.
Bhutan SDF for children: what kids pay
Bhutan's SDF for children works on age, not height or seat. The rule has three bands, and the document you carry decides which one applies.
Do children below 6 pay the SDF?
No. Children who have not yet turned 6 pay no SDF, though they still need their own entry permit and proof of age.
What is the SDF for children aged 6 to 11?
Children aged 6 to under 12 pay half the adult rate: ₹600 per night. For two parents with an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old on a 5-night holiday:
- Parents: 2 × ₹1,200 × 5 nights = ₹12,000
- 8-year-old: 1 × ₹600 × 5 nights = ₹3,000
- 4-year-old: free
- Total SDF: ₹15,000, instead of ₹24,000 if everyone paid the adult rate
What if a child turns 12 during the trip?
The half rate applies to children who have not yet turned 12; from their 12th birthday they pay the full ₹1,200. If a birthday falls during your trip, ask your operator or the immigration office which rate applies before you pay, so the permit is issued correctly. Carry each child's passport or birth certificate, because the date of birth on that document is what officials check. If you are planning with children, our Bhutan family tours are paced for kids and quoted with the correct child SDF.
Bhutan permit cost for Indians: every charge in one table
Indians do not need a visa for Bhutan. You get an entry permit instead, and there is no fee for the permit itself, so the SDF is the only government charge for an Indian tourist.
| Charge | Indian citizens | Most other nationalities |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee | None (visa not required) | USD 40, one time |
| Entry permit | Free | Not applicable |
| Route permit | Not needed when you travel with a certified guide | Not needed with a certified guide |
| Permit extension | No fee; SDF for extra nights, paid in INR | Extra nights paid in USD |
| SDF per adult per night | ₹1,200 | USD 100 |
| 5% GST | Not charged on SDF | Not charged on SDF |
Since 1 January 2026, Bhutan has charged a 5% GST on tour components such as hotels, transport and guiding. The SDF is exempt from it, so there is no separate tourist tax on top. Your permit covers the dates on your itinerary. To stay longer, apply for an extension in person at the Department of Immigration before your permit expires; Indians pay the SDF for the extra nights in rupees.
How to pay the SDF and get your entry permit
You pay the SDF at the moment your entry permit is issued, so the two steps are really one. There are three ways to do it.
Three ways for Indians to pay the Bhutan SDF and get an entry permit
- Online, before you travel. Create an account on Bhutan's official immigration portal, choose Entry Permit, enter your details and hotel bookings, upload your passport or Voter ID, and pay the SDF for your nights online. Processing takes up to five days. Download the permit and carry it with your original ID.
- Through your tour operator. A licensed Bhutanese operator applies and pays on your behalf, so you arrive with the permit ready. This is the easiest route and the one we use for every Orrog guest.
- On arrival. Apply in person at Paro International Airport or a regional immigration office at a land border: Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar or Samtse. Bhutan's tourism department warns of long waits at busy times, so apply in advance if you can.
Documents required for Indians to visit Bhutan
Documents Indian travellers need for the Bhutan entry permit
- A valid Indian passport with at least six months of validity, or an Indian Voter ID card, as listed by the Embassy of India in Thimphu. Aadhaar, PAN and driving licences are not accepted.
- For children under 18 without a passport, the original birth certificate. Minors must travel with a parent or legal guardian.
- Passport-size photographs if you apply in person.
- Hotel bookings and a day-by-day itinerary.
Travel insurance has not been mandatory since 23 April 2024, but it is worth buying for treks, the Tiger's Nest hike on our Paro Valley cultural tour, or long mountain drives.
Is the SDF mandatory? Exemptions, waivers and refunds
Yes. Every Indian tourist aged 6 or older pays the SDF for each night in Bhutan, and no tour operator can discount it. There are only three ways to pay less.
Children under 6 pay no SDF at all.
The border town waiver. Day visits of up to 24 hours to Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar are SDF-free, as long as you stay within the town's designated zone. The current waiver began on 2 June 2026 and runs until August 2027. In Phuentsholing the zone ends at Rinchending Checkpost; in Samtse at Gurung Basti; in Gelephu at Aipoli Bridge; and in Samdrup Jongkhar at Pinchinna checkpost. Go beyond that point, for example on to Thimphu or Paro, and normal SDF applies. The Department of Tourism publishes the current waiver terms.
Refunds for unused nights. If your trip is cancelled or cut short, the Department of Immigration refunds the SDF for nights you do not spend in Bhutan, minus bank charges. Requests are made online through the immigration portal and are processed after you leave Bhutan. If your operator paid on your behalf, they can file it for you.
How much does the SDF add to your trip?
For most Indian groups the SDF is a modest share of the total cost, usually less than hotels and transport.
Total Bhutan SDF for a solo traveller, couple, family and group of friends
| Group | Nights | Calculation | Total SDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller | 4 | 1 × ₹1,200 × 4 | ₹4,800 |
| Couple on honeymoon | 6 | 2 × ₹1,200 × 6 | ₹14,400 |
| Family: 2 adults, children aged 8 and 4 | 5 | (2 × ₹1,200 + 1 × ₹600) × 5 | ₹15,000 |
| Four friends | 7 | 4 × ₹1,200 × 7 | ₹33,600 |
On top of the SDF, budget for hotels, a vehicle with driver, a licensed guide, meals, monument entry fees and your journey to Bhutan, either a flight to Paro or a drive from Bagdogra or Hasimara to Phuentsholing. Since the fee is nightly, an early arrival and a late departure give you more time in Bhutan without adding to it. Couples can compare options on our Bhutan honeymoon packages page.
Bhutan SDF for foreigners, Bangladeshis and OCI holders
The ₹1,200 rate applies only to Indian citizens. Everyone else pays according to the passport they travel on.
| Traveller | SDF per adult per night | Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Indian citizen | ₹1,200 | Not required, free permit |
| Bangladeshi citizen | USD 15 (first 15,000 guests under the current incentive) | Visa fee waived |
| US, UK and most other citizens | USD 100 (confirmed to 31 August 2027) | USD 40, applied for in advance |
| OCI card holder on a foreign passport | USD 100 | USD 40 |
OCI cardholders often assume they qualify for the Indian rate. They do not: OCI benefits apply in India, and Bhutan goes by the passport you travel on. If your group mixes Indian and foreign passports, each person pays their own rate and the foreign passport holders need a visa arranged in advance.
Five SDF mistakes Indian travellers make
- Assuming the SDF is in the package price. Always ask for it as a separate line.
- Paying the adult rate for every child. Under 6 is free and 6 to 11 is half; carry proof of age.
- Treating a Phuentsholing overnight as SDF-free. The waiver covers up to 24 hours inside the town zone only.
- Confusing the permit with the SDF. The permit is free; the SDF is the fee you pay to receive it.
- Extending the trip without recalculating. Every extra night adds ₹1,200 per adult and ₹600 per child aged 6 to 11.
Rules Indian travellers often miss
Punakha Dzong: with a certified guide, no separate route permit is needed to travel beyond Thimphu and Paro
- Licensed guides. Bhutan requires tourists to travel with a guide certified by the Department of Tourism, including anyone who enters by road and goes beyond the border towns.
- No separate route permit with a guide. As long as you travel with a certified guide, you no longer need a route permit for Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthang or further east.
- National park permits. Treks and visits inside national parks need a park permit, which your operator can get online. Our Bhutan trekking packages include it.
- Driving your own vehicle. A valid Indian driving licence is accepted, but a guide must travel with you, and the car needs a vehicle permit from the transport office in Phuentsholing.
- Time and money. Bhutan is 30 minutes ahead of India, and Indian rupees are widely accepted. You can carry up to ₹25,000 in notes of ₹500 or less; anything above that must be in notes of ₹100 or smaller.
- Mobile data. Indian SIM cards work poorly in Bhutan, so buy a local B-Mobile or TashiCell SIM on arrival.
Rinpung Dzong in Paro, a highlight of most Bhutan itineraries from India
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SDF in Bhutan for Indians?
₹1,200 (Nu. 1,200) per person, per night for adults aged 12 and above.
Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?
No. Bhutan is visa-free for Indian citizens. You need a free entry permit, issued online or at Paro airport or a land border on showing a passport or Voter ID.
What is the total Bhutan permit cost for an Indian?
There is no fee for the entry permit or an extension, and no route permit is needed when you travel with a certified guide. The only government charge is the SDF: ₹1,200 per adult per night, so a 5-night trip costs ₹6,000 per adult.
What is the Bhutan SDF for kids?
Children aged 6 to under 12 pay ₹600 per night. Children under 6 pay nothing.
Is the SDF included in Bhutan tour packages?
It depends on the operator. Ask for the SDF to be shown separately so you can check it against the official rate.
Can I enter Bhutan with an Aadhaar card?
No. Aadhaar is not accepted. Carry a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card.
Is there an SDF waiver for Phuentsholing?
Yes. Day visits of up to 24 hours to Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar are exempt, as long as you stay within the town's designated zone.
What happens if I extend my Bhutan trip by one night?
You pay SDF for the extra night: ₹1,200 per adult and ₹600 per child aged 6 to 11. Apply in person at the Department of Immigration before your permit expires and pay in rupees.
Do OCI holders pay the Indian SDF rate?
No. OCI holders travelling on a foreign passport pay USD 100 per night plus the USD 40 visa fee.
How long can an Indian stay in Bhutan as a tourist?
Your permit covers the dates on your itinerary. You can extend it in person at the Department of Immigration before it expires, paying SDF for each extra night.
Is the SDF refundable?
Yes, for nights you do not spend in Bhutan because of a cancelled or shortened trip.
Plan your Bhutan trip from India with Orrog
Orrog is a licensed local tour operator in Thimphu. We arrange your entry permit, SDF, park permits, hotels, certified guide and vehicle, so you arrive with everything cleared. Send us your dates and group size, including children's ages, and we will reply with a full INR quote with the SDF shown on its own line.
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Popular trips for Indian travellers: Cultural Tour of Paro Valley · Thimphu Cultural Tour · Punakha Valley Heritage Tour · Bhutan Family Tours · Bhutan Honeymoon Packages
SDF rates are set by Bhutan's Department of Tourism and can change. We review this page every quarter; always confirm the rate for your travel dates before you book.