How do I get to Bhutan? The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the national air carrier, which links Bhutan’s only airport at Paro Valley with flights to Bangkok (thrice/week), Delhi (twice/week), Kathmandu (twice/week), Dhaka (once/week), and Calcutta (twice/week). Connecting to Druk Air? You will need to arrange international air tickets to and from whatever place you choose to connect to Druk Air. Bangkok is the best place to connect if you are coming from North America, Australia or Asia. The U.S. carrier with the most frequent flights is Northwest Airlines. It has direct service through Tokyo (with a minimal stopover) from New York, Detroit, Seattle, Dallas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. British Airways flies nonstop to Bangkok from London. Delhi is the best place to connect if you are coming from Europe or the Middle East. A connection via Kathmandu will give you an opportunity to visit Nepal and/or Tibet before flying to Bhutan. Other connections from Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Calcutta (India) are possible, but these are off the routes of direct flights for major airlines, and few discounted airfares are available for these places. Will Insiders' Bhutan handle all my airline ticketing? As soon as we confirm your reservation on one of our trips, we book Druk Air seats for you. You can buy Druk Air tickets from their agents abroad or we can buy here and send them to you by express mail. For more details on Druk Air, check their website - drukair.com.bt As most travelers like to use frequent flyer awards, or book air tickets through their preferred agents or internet site, we leave International air ticketing up to the guests to arrange on their own. How to buy airline tickets online 1. Check several websites selling tickets online 2. Check an airline's official site for any deals offered only through the airline itself 3. Choose the site that offers the best deal 4. If the site offers you a choice of delivery options, choose the one that's best for you. An e-ticket option is usually the best, because you don't have to pay any shipping charges 5. Pay by credit card on a secure server or by check. Tips for Finding Low Fares The following websites offer great low fare search options to make finding low fares easy. Simply tell them where you want to go, and they'll search for the lowest fares offered and present available dates in an interactive calendar from which you can select your preferred travel dates. These sites also offer online hotel room reservation, car rental services, flight status tracking with a real-time departure and arrival information services. Star Alliance (Click here) A starting point for fifteen top international airlines including United, Singapore Airlines, Thai and Air Canada with the global timetable for the airlines. This lets you select the starting and ending point of your trip, and helps you find all possible connections using the Star-Alliance flights. You will also find active links to all the home pages of the member airlines, which is useful for more information on fares, discounts, online bookings, detailed halts and frequent flyer programs. Orbitz (Click here) Owned by the World's Leading Airlines, Orbitz brings you the latest in fare-finding technology, plus great values on rental cars, hotel rooms, and more. Travelocity (Click here) A full service travel website with slick interface, savvy tools and computerized reservation system. You can even reserve flights from a phone. Expedia (Click here) A full service travel website with features to check out the best airfares for a particular route, as well as the availability of these flights. Using their fare compare tool, you can compare fares across different flights. The lodging wizard lets you find the hottest deals and most economical accommodation options. ................... World Airport Guide (Click here) Information about airports with advice on getting to and from the airport by car and public transport, and also phone numbers of local hotels and car hire companies. ................... Druk Air - the Bhutanese national airline Druk Air, the Bhutanese national airline, is the only airline that serves Bhutan. Click here to check out Druk Air's flight schedule and airfare online. If you are using Bangkok as the gateway city to connect to Druk Air The U.S. carrier with the most frequent flights is Northwest Airlines. It has direct service through Tokyo (with a minimal stopover) from New York, Detroit, Seattle, Dallas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Thai Airways International has direct flights from the West Coast of the United States and from London, and also flies daily to Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan. East-coast travelers departing from New York or Washington, DC, may consider using Virgin Atlantic/Thai Airways via London for 19-hour flights to Bangkok. British Airways flies nonstop to Bangkok from London. Approximate Flying Times Bangkok is 18 hours from Seattle, 17 hours from San Francisco, 20 hours from Chicago, and 22 hours from New York. Add more time for stopovers and connections, especially if you are using more than one carrier. Transportation option between the Airport and Town The road is often congested with traffic. Be prepared for a 90-minute journey by taxi, though there are times when it can take less than 40 minutes. The quickest way downtown is the helicopter that lands at the Shangri-La Hotel. Anyone who will pay the $200 fare is welcome aboard. Other mode of transport includes airport bus service that costs B70, Thai Airways has a minibus service that costs B100 and taxi that costs B300 to B350. ................... Main airlines servicing Bangkok, Thailand Thai Airways International (800/426-5204), United Airlines (800/241-6522), Northwest Airlines (800/447-4747), Singapore Airlines (800/742-3333), British Airways (020/8897-4000; 0345/222111 outside London), Cathay Pacific (800/233-2742), Japan Airlines (800/525-3663), Qantas (0345/747767 or 0800/747767), Asiana Airlines (800/227-4262). China Airlines (800/227-5118), EVA Air (800/695-1188), Gulf Air (800/553-2824), Korean Air (800/438-5000). Thai Airways International (Click here) Phone: 800/426-5204 (*) We recommend Thai Airways International for transpacific travel. It has direct flights from the West Coast of the United States and from London, and also flies daily to Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan. East-coast travelers departing from New York or Washington, DC, may consider using Virgin Atlantic/Thai Airways via London for 19-hour flights to Bangkok. Bangkok Don Muang (BKK) International Airport (Click here) Tour Programs for Transit Passengers at Bangkok Airport, Bangkok (Click here) ................... Main airlines servicing Kathmandu, Nepal Tribhuvan International Airport (977) 1 471933), about 7 km (4.12 miles) from the hub of Kathmandu, is the only international airport in Nepal. Air France, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, China Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Japan Airlines (JAL), Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways. ................... Main airlines servicing Delhi, India The Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 38 kilometers (23 miles) from the city. Air Canada, Air France, AirIndia, Alitalia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysian Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swissair, and United Airlines. ................... Main airlines servicing Calcutta, India Dum Dum Airport, is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the city. Air Canada, Air India, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Tower Air, United Airlines, British Airways, and Thai Airways. Budgethotels.com The site offers discounts on all the states of America and in 63 destinations worldwide. Small Luxury Hotels Some of the finest-quality hotels around the globe. SLH offers ease of booking and the familiarity of an international hotel chain. Each hotel is assessed and regularly checked to ensure that it maintains the standards. Bangkok, Thailand Amari Airport Hotel (Click here) (*) US$100 to $160 Tel: (662) 566 1020; fax: (662) 566 1941 This excellent four-star hotel is conveniently connected by air-conditioned walkway to Bangkok's international airport. The daytime (8 AM-6 PM) rate for travelers waiting for connections is approx. US$15 for stays up to three hours, and video screens in public areas display schedules of flight arrivals and departures. The Atlanta (Approx. US$20) 78 Sukhumvit Soi 2, Bangkok Phone: (662) 252-1650; Fax: (662) 656-8123 The accommodations are simple, clean and spacious, with extremely reasonable prices. Most rooms have air-conditioning, balconies and personal safes. Oriental Hotel (US$160+) 48 Oriental Ave., Bangkok Phone: (662) 236-0400; 71/537-2988 U.K. reservations; 800/223-6800 U.S. reservations; Fax: (662) 236-1937 One of the best hotels in Bangkok. They also have a helicopter service ($150) to and from the airport.   The Regent (Click here) (US$160+) 155 Ratchadamri Rd., Bangkok Phone: (662) 251-6127; Fax: (662) 253-9195 One of Bangkok's leading hotels.   Thai Hotels Association (Click here) Find special offers and book hotels online from Thai Hotels Association website. Kathmandu, Nepal Hotel Yak & Yeti (Click here) (*) US$150+ Box 1016, Durbar Marg. Tel: (977) 1 248999; Fax: (977) 1 27781 One of Nepal's best 5-star hotels. Radisson Hotel (Click here) (US$150+) Box 2269, Lazimpat Tel: (977) 1 411818; Fax: (977) 411720 Holiday Inn Soaltee Crown Plaza (US$150+) Tahachal, Tel: (977) 1 272555; 800/465-4329 (USA/Canada); 0800/897 121 (UK); 800/221-066 (Australia); Fax: (977) 1 27781 Kathmandu Guest House (Click here) (Apporx. US$30) Thamel Tel: (977) 1 413632; Fax: (977) 1 417133 Delhi, India Budget Inns ( Click here) The site provides an entire list of bed and breakfast, inns and guesthouses in Delhi. It also has a map of Delhi, travel tips and reviews. Hotels-Delhi.com (Click here) Ambassador (US$80 - 175) Sujan Singh Park, Cornwallis Rd., New Delhi Phone: (91) 11 463-2600 Fax: (91)11 463-2252 Hotel Claridges (US$80 - 265) 12 Aurangzeb Rd., New Delhi Phone: (91) 11 301-0211; Fax: 11/301-0625 ................... Calcutta, India Fairlawn (Approx. US$45) 13A Sudder St., Calcutta Phone: (91) 33 245-1510 Fax: (91) 33 244-1835 Hotel Grand (US$165) 15 J. L. Nehru Rd., Calcutta Phone: (91) 33 249-2323 Fax: (91) 33 249-1217   Park Hotel (US$100 - 165) 17 Park St., Calcutta Phone: (91) 33 249-7336 Fax: (91) 33 249-7343 Taj Bengal (US$165+) 34B Belvedere Rd., Alipore, Calcutta Phone: (91) 33 223-3939 Fax: (91) 33 223-1766 When choosing a car-rental agency, try to find out the company's service policy with regard to late plane arrivals, vehicle maintenance and fuel costs. Driving is on the left; speed limits are between 40 to 60 kph in cities and 60 to 90 kph outside. ................... Check out the websites of the following major international and local car rental agencies Avis (Kathmandu, Bangkok, Delhi, Calcutta, and more) Hertz (Delhi) Budget Rent a Car (Bangkok) Baltourist (Delhi) Car rental agency in India offering budget car rental, luxury car hire, coach travel packages, budget car rent, luxury car rental, cheap car rentals, coach holidays, tour bus rental, bus transportation services, etc. ................... Car Rental in Bangkok The major car-rental companies represented in Bangkok are Avis (tel. 800/331-1084; in Canada, 800/879-2847), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3001; in Canada, 800/263-0600; in the U.K., 0345/555888), and National InterRent (sometimes known as Europcar InterRent outside North America; tel. 800/227-3876; in the U.K., 0345/222525). Rates begin at $39 a day and $336 a week for an economy car with unlimited mileage. This includes neither tax, which is 7% on car rentals, nor the Collision Damage Waiver, which is about $10 a day. It is better to make your car rental reservations in Thailand, as you can usually secure a discount. ................... Transportation options between Tribhuvan International Airport and Town in Bangkok The road is often congested with traffic. Be prepared for a 90-minute journey by taxi, though there are times when it can take less than 40 minutes. The quickest way downtown is the helicopter that lands at the Shangri-La Hotel. Anyone who will pay the $200 fare is welcome aboard. Other mode of transport includes airport bus service that costs B70, Thai Airways has a minibus service that costs B100 and taxi that costs B300 to B350. ................... Transportation options in Kathmandu, Nepal Airport Bus An Airport Tourist Bus shuttles passengers between Tribhuvan International Airport and downtown Kathmandu. Metered taxis are also easily available. One may also avail of the prepaid taxis upon arrival. City buses There are many buses and minibuses available at Ratnapark (old Bus Park) which depart to different destinations in the valley. There is also a Trolley Bus Service which starts at Tripureswor (near the Dashrath Stadium) and runs along the Arniko Highway and ends at Surya Vinayak (Bhaktapur). Bus services operate from early morning (5 or 6 am) till 8 or 9 p.m. Metered Taxi Consult Kathmandu Valley map to find out the direction of your destination. Hail a taxi, which is easily recognisable by its taxi sign on top and black license plate. As a rough guide, a trip inside the city will cost anywhere between Rs. 20/- to 200/- (depending on the distance). No tip is expected. A metered taxi from the airport to downtown will cost about Rs. 150 to Rs. 200. Private taxis may charge slightly higher than the ordinary taxis. There is also an arrangement of Night Taxi service operated by the major hotels. The fare is slightly higher than the metered taxi. One can rent a private car through a travel agent or a car rental company. Hired Mountain Bike / Ordinary Bicycle Mountain bikes and ordinary bicycles are cheap and the best form of transportation for economy tourists. One can hire them at Thamel, Rani Pokhari and Jhochhen. Domestic air service Royal Nepal Airlines (RA) has an extensive network of air services in the interior of Nepal. It has scheduled connection flights from Kathmandu to Taplejung, Bhadrapur, Rajbiraj, Bhojpur, Phaplu, Lukla, Lamidanda, Tunmlingtar, Rumjatar, Biratnagar Simara, Janakpur, Ramechhap, Bharatpur, Meghauli ,Pokhara, Jomsom, Manang, Baglung. Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj Chaurjhahari, Surkhet, Dang, Dolpa, Jumla, Bajura, Baitadi, Dipayal, Darchula, Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, Tikapur and Sanfebagar. Besides RA, other domestic airlines such as Buddha Air, Cosmic Air, Lumbini Airways, Gorkha Airlines, Manakamana Airways, Karnali Air Services, Necon Air, Skyline Airlines and Yeti Airways provide regular and charter services to popular domestic destinations. Information, Advice & How-To Tips Guide to Sleeping in Airports! (Click here) The budget travelers Guide to Sleeping in Airports helps you plan which airports you can sleep in or avoid altogether. ................... International Flight Booking Reconfirming Your Seat For international flights, reconfirming your seat and travel times is important. You should contact the airline about 72 hours before departure. Electronic ticket If you buy your air ticket online (e-ticket customer) from a recognized e-travel company like Orbtz, Travelocity, Biztravel.com, or Expedia.com, don't foget to take with you to the airport, a printed confirmation for an electronic ticket, or an airline or agency generated itinerary confirming your electronic ticket. Make your reservation early The best international fares often require a reservation at least 30 days in advance. Airlines sell only a limited number of seats at the lowest fares. When those seats sell out, the price goes up. One airline is better than two It's almost always less expensive to use only one airline for a trip instead of two. ................... At the Airport Allowing Yourself Enough Time to Check In With the increased airport security, you're going to take longer to get on a plane than it used to. Here are some tips to make sure that you don't miss your flight. 1. Confirm your flight status before proceeding to the airport. You can do this online at most of the online travel websites like Orbitz.com, Travelocity, Biztravel.com, Expedia.com, or by calling the airline directly. 2. In cities outside the USA a two & half to three hour check - in is often required. If you're flying within the United States, you should arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of time to check-in. 3. Remember, if you check in late, the airline has the right to allocate your seat to someone else on an overbooked flight. 4. Even if you manage to get on a flight for which you've arrived late, your baggage may not make it. ................... Booking a Hotel Room For your enroute stopover in any cities outside Bhutan, try to reserve a hotel/place to stay well in advance. That way, you can shop around for the best rates. You can do that online from a full service travel website like Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com, etc.. Most hotels require you to guarantee your reservation with a credit card, and usually charge a penalty if you fail to arrive without cancelling in advance. ................... Dealing with Jet Lag After flying across several time zones, you know how the first few days in Bhutan, a new time zone, can be: You're sleepy all day, but when it's time to sleep, you can't do it. To avoid wasting a part of your trip recovering from the flight, it helps to take some preventive measures. 1. It's a good idea to spend one or two easy days in any of the gateway cities (Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi..), before joining a trip in Bhutan. Breaking up the trip helps the body adjust more readily. 2. Start adjusting your sleeping and eating patterns to the new time zone a couple days before your flight. 3. Keep yourself as hydrated as possible - drink plenty of fluids. 4. Try not to drink alcohol and caffeine before and during the flight. 5. Try to get as much sleep as you can on the plane. 6. After your arrival and once you get settled, take a walk and spend time in the sun to help reset your body's internal clock. 7. Follow your new time schedule immediately. Try not to go to sleep until the evening even if you're tired. 8. As a last resort, consider anti-jet lag or sleeping medicines on the market. Insiders' Bhutan Home Trip Planng Resources Home Insiders' Bhutan Travel PO Box 271, Thimphu, Kingdom of Bhutan Tel: +975-2-324695 Email: info@insidersbhutan.com; Website: www.insidersbhutan.com Copyright 2000 Insiders' Bhutan, Inc. Website desgined & developed by: Rigney, Inc.