Hire a Private Jet to Bhutan, Himalayan Kingdom
Bhutan sits about 4,100 nautical miles from London on the map and 4,972 on the track a business jet flies, yet the distance is the easy part: the last ten minutes, down a Himalayan valley to a runway open only in daylight, set the terms for the whole trip. Private Jets UK files the landing clearance through the Bhutanese agent and arranges the guide pilot the country asks for. Our customers have access to 6,500 jets of all types and configurations available for rent. We will help you choose the best option based on your needs and objectives. Our catalog contains the models from the largest manufacturers: Gulfstream, Dassault, Embraer, Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Learjet, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pilatus, HondaJet, etc. We have established partnerships with the world's largest airlines and VIP terminals, which means we can offer you favourable flight conditions and a high level of service. Our experts will manage the organization of your flight - starting with paperwork, agreements, etc., and ending with a transfer and meeting at the airport. Our company provides a full range of business aviation and concierge services.
At your request, the aviation consultants of Private Jets UK will help you choose the jet with the suitable technical parameters (production year, flight hours, and home base). The cost of the private jet charter to Bhutan depends on many factors, such as the model of the business jet, the number of passengers, departure and destination airports, type of flight, duration of parking, additional services, etc. Therefore, we calculate the price of each order individually taking into account your wishes. You can use an online calculator to get an instant charter quote. Please indicate your real contact details to get the final calculation.
You can calculate the cost of your flight in several ways:
- using an online calculator on the website (however, it shows only the approximate price);
- via Messenger (WhatsApp or Telegram);
- by landline or cell phone;
- via e-mail (jets@private-jets.co.uk).
Please note that the above-mentioned price is indicative only. It is calculated on this basis: a departure from London Biggin Hill, an Embraer Praetor 600 to Paro with one technical stop in Dubai and two passengers aboard. If you want to get a personal quote, just fill out the online booking form below. Our aviation consultant will make the calculation within 20 minutes, and then contact you to specify the details of the flight.
How long does it take to fly to Bhutan?
Bhutan keeps one time zone, six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and five ahead of British Summer Time. The figures start at London Biggin Hill, use the lowest-priced aircraft that can fly the sectors and count about an hour on the ground at the technical stop:
Embraer Praetor 600 via Dubai, 4,972 nautical miles plannedabout 12 h 25 min
Gulfstream G650ER, 4,972 nautical miles plannedabout 10 h 20 min
Why the planned distance is longer than the map
Paro is about 4,100 nautical miles from London in a straight line, but a business jet follows a track that keeps clear of the airspace which insurers and regulators advise against, and flown that way the sector measures 4,972 nautical miles. A Praetor 600 is rated at 4,018 nautical miles and we plan each leg at about 85 percent of that, so it lands in Dubai, 3,067 nautical miles from Biggin Hill.
Paro closes at sunset, so the plan starts with the clock
The Bhutanese AIP allows take-off and landing only between sunrise and sunset, in visual conditions, and lists aerodrome administration on weekdays from 03:00 to 11:00 UTC, which is 09:00 to 17:00 in Bhutan. A Praetor 600 that leaves Biggin Hill in the morning reaches the Gulf in the afternoon, and the second leg of about 4 h 35 min would fall in the dark, so the usual plan is a night in Dubai and a morning departure. A nonstop cabin can leave London in the evening and land the next day at around lunchtime, local time.
Prices for the private jet flights to Bhutan
Typical one-way prices from Britain, cheapest first. The Embraer Praetor 600 heads the list because it reaches Paro with a single stop at a lower hourly rate than any other cabin that can fly the sectors. Every figure includes the stop shown in its row:
| Route | Aircraft | Price, one way |
|---|---|---|
| London Biggin Hill - Paro 4,972 nm / 9,208 km, via Dubai |
Praetor 600 up to 9 |
from £77,500 |
| London Luton - Paro 4,994 nm / 9,249 km, via Dubai |
Challenger 605 up to 12 |
from £99,600 |
| London Farnborough - Paro 5,003 nm / 9,266 km, via Dubai |
Legacy 650 up to 13 |
from £105,500 |
| London Stansted - Paro 4,971 nm / 9,206 km, via Dubai |
Falcon 900LX up to 12 |
from £123,100 |
| Manchester - Paro 5,081 nm / 9,410 km, via Dubai |
Gulfstream G450 up to 13 |
from £132,200 |
| Birmingham - Paro 5,052 nm / 9,356 km, nonstop |
Global 6000 up to 13 |
from £136,450 |
| Edinburgh - Paro 5,150 nm / 9,538 km, nonstop |
Gulfstream G550 up to 16 |
from £145,550 |
| Glasgow - Paro 5,185 nm / 9,603 km, nonstop |
Gulfstream G650ER up to 14 |
from £165,100 |
| London Biggin Hill - Paro 4,972 nm / 9,208 km, nonstop |
Global 7500 up to 14 |
from £170,900 |
What sits outside the figures
– Bhutan has one gateway, so the price moves only with the aircraft and the departure point. A larger cabin adds comfort and range, not access;
– The guide pilot or navigator, the clearing agent's fees, handling at Paro, the night at the stop and crew accommodation are quoted on top. The prices are one way and include the empty positioning flight home. If the performance figures for a high runway call for an extra fuel stop in India before the long leg west, the quote adds the landing.
Private jet flights within Bhutan and to its neighbours
A foreign jet does not tour Bhutan. Beyond Paro the country has small domestic strips: Bumthang, in the centre, at 2,580 metres, and Gelephu, in the south. Both are visual and daylight only, with neither fuel nor customs listed. We do not plan a business jet to them; guests go on by helicopter or road.
The sensible loops run outward. Kathmandu is 226 nautical miles from Paro and Delhi 683. The figures show scale rather than a firm quote, because each landing needs its own permit and the Bhutanese AIP states that Bhutan is entered and left through Indian airspace, with an approval reference from India's civil aviation authority in the flight plan:
| Route | Aircraft | Flight time | Price, one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paro - Bagdogra (Siliguri) 76 nm / 141 km |
Citation CJ3+ up to 7 |
about 40 min | from £5,300 |
| Paro - Kathmandu 226 nm / 419 km |
Citation XLS+ up to 9 |
about 1 h | from £6,800 |
| Paro - Kolkata 302 nm / 559 km |
Citation XLS+ up to 9 |
about 1 h 10 min | from £6,800 |
| Paro - Delhi 683 nm / 1,265 km |
Citation Latitude up to 9 |
about 2 h 05 min | from £14,850 |
We can arrange the flights from any cities in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and European countries. Due to a large database of available business jets, we can help you find an optimal jet and crew. If you have any questions about the departure or the flight itself, you can ask them using the form below:
Prices depending on the type of business jet
We can clearly show the high dependence of the cost of the flight, on the type of aircraft - we have collected approximate data, at the price of 1 flight hour, for various types of business jets:
The cost per hour indicated in the table is preliminary and does not constitute an offer or a commercial offer. Exact prices are available from the managers of the company.
Online Calculator
If you want to make an urgent calculation of the cost of a private plane flight, use our online calculator. Just fill in all the fields of the form with a note that you are interested in a specific model of the aircraft and get the final price. NB! - the figures are sent to you by email or messenger, please carefully fill in the contact details to get the calculation.
All our calculations are as transparent as possible for you. After receiving the request, we will prepare a beautiful offer - where the costs and the final price will be clearly described. The exact price is agreed in advance and is written in the contract, so you can be sure of the final cost.
Private jets are ready to take off
Our database contains over 6,500 business jets (about 3,500 in Europe and 3,000 in the rest of the world) of different configurations and production years. The list of models is constantly updated. Unfortunately, we can't post a full list of available jets on our website due to confidentiality issues. Please contact the managers of the company for more accurate information. We will help you choose a suitable model taking into account your wishes. These are the typical choices for Bhutan:
Long range and ultra-long range
The cabins that reach Paro from Britain without landing, for a party that wants a flat bed and one departure.
Large cabins
For a party of up to a dozen, planned with a stop in the Gulf. The Praetor 600 is the lowest-priced aircraft we plan to Bhutan.
Super-midsize
Right for the hops in from Kathmandu, Delhi or Kolkata once the main aircraft has stayed in the Gulf.
Light jets and turboprops
For the short hop from an airport in India or Nepal. The Bhutanese AIP sets no limit by aircraft type for Paro, but the runway is high, so we ask the operator for performance figures at 2,244 metres.
For a sector this long we also look for aircraft positioned in the Gulf or South Asia.
How to book a private jet?
You can book a private jet flight to Bhutan in 6 easy steps:
- Flight request - indicating the route and your preferences for the model of business jet and other points.
- Coordination of flight details - our consultant will contact you to offer the possible flight options and answer all your questions.
- Commercial offer - we will send you a final offer on a specific model taking into account all your wishes.
- Signing of the contract.
- Payment for the flight and booking a business jet.
- Departure at the agreed time and date. Assistance during the whole flight.
In addition to renting the private jets and arranging the flights, we provide concierge services, premium transfer, security, exclusive catering, etc. We have learned to solve problems of any complexity, offering the service of the European level. Our experts will be happy to answer your questions and help you arrange your flight.
How to rent a business jet with a crew
5 main stages:
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Sending an application
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Clarification of details and search for options
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Preparation and coordination of optimal options
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Registration of documents. Payment of the invoice.
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Departure on the route.
Business aviation airports in Bhutan
Bhutan offers no choice of gateway. Every foreign aircraft makes its first landing at Paro:
| Airport | Ground | How it operates |
|---|---|---|
| Paro International VQPR / PBH |
5 km south-east of Paro town, 54 km by road from Thimphu, 2,244 m (7,364 ft) above sea level | The only international airport and our price anchor. One asphalt runway, 15/33, 2,265 m by 30 m in the AIP, with landing distances of 2,105 m and 2,145 m. There is no ILS and no radar, and the published RNP procedures need special authorisation. Flying is visual and in daylight only, between sunrise and sunset. Administration is listed on weekdays from 03:00 to 11:00 UTC, with customs, immigration and handling during scheduled operations and out-of-hours service on request 24 hours ahead. Fire cover is category 6. Fuel is Jet A-1 from a single 9,000 litre truck, with no de-icing, and Druk Air is the handling agent named in the AIP. The apron has eight bays. Trip-support companies listed for the field are VVIP Flight, IFOS Aviation Services and BIZAV International |
| Bumthang and Gelephu VQBT, VQGP |
Bumthang at 2,580 m in the centre, Gelephu at 301 m in the southern foothills | Domestic strips. Bumthang has a 14/32 runway of about 1,200 m by 30 m, Gelephu an 11/29 runway of 1,506 m by 30 m. Both are visual and daylight only, with prior permission, and list no fuel or customs |
| Gelephu International (planned) - |
beside the domestic strip | Bhutanese reports describe a new international airport with a 3,000 m runway. Until it is built, opened to international traffic and published in the AIP, we do not plan any business jet to it |
Four rules shape every arrival:
Clearance through a Bhutanese agent
A foreign-registered private aircraft needs approval from the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority, applied for through its approved agent, Bhutan Air Services, which also collects the fees. The AIP asks for the request at least seven days before a landing. The slot is valid for 48 hours and the clearance for 72, so a delay in the Gulf can cost a day.
A guide pilot or navigator
The AIP asks the crew to meet the specific category C requirement for Paro, or to show Paro-specific training if no guide pilot is used. Drukair's charter notice says that all private aircraft must carry a qualified pilot guide. We plan with one on board and agree where he or she joins.
Papers that must match
The application attaches the registration, airworthiness and insurance certificates, the crew's licences and medicals, the commander's logbook and a general declaration, with a disinsection certificate from the point of origin.
Weather and parking
There is no ILS and no radar, so low cloud closes the valley and an Indian alternate is named in advance. The apron has eight bays and one fuel truck, and we ask the handler to confirm both in writing.
Arriving from Britain: visa, fees and what to carry
Bhutan expects to know who is coming and for how long, and the answers are required before departure.
British citizens need a visa to enter and to leave, approved in advance and issued on arrival. The application goes through a Bhutanese tour operator, a Bhutanese hotel or the Department of Immigration website, and the non-refundable fee is about £30. Business visits are arranged through a sponsoring organisation in Bhutanbefore departure
Adults pay about £75 per night and children a lower rate, paid with the visa applicationpaid with the visa
Valid for at least six months beyond the planned departure from Bhutanevery passenger
Up to 30,000 Bhutanese ngultrum may be carried in or out, and foreign currency worth about £7,500 or more is declared. Antiques may not be taken out of the countrydeclare it
What the British government says about health
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Bhutan, hospitals outside Thimphu generally offer only basic care, and complex conditions would need evacuation to India or Thailand. The Foreign Office asks for insurance that covers helicopter evacuation and repatriation.
Coming home is a flight into Britain: a General Aviation Report goes to the border authorities not earlier than 48 hours and not later than two hours before departure, and British and Irish citizens need no electronic travel authorisation for Britain. The first landing must be at an aerodrome that is regulated for customs, since a landing at an unregulated one carries a fine of £2,500.
Which part of Bhutan from Paro
Every route starts at the same runway, so the question is how far to go from it:
The valley around the airport, with the Tiger's Nest monastery about 10 km north of Paro townParo
The capital, 54 km from the airport by roadroad, or a short helicopter hop
A high valley at about 3,000 metres, known for its black-necked cranesroad, or helicopter
The central valleys around Jakar, with a visual daylight airfield that we do not plan jets tohelicopter from Paro
Taktsang, tshechus and the cranes: what our clients go for
Bhutan sells itself by limiting numbers. Every visitor pays the Sustainable Development Fee for each night, and private guests tend to come for the same few things. The first is Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, a monastery at 3,120 metres on a cliff about 900 metres above the valley floor, reached on foot, with visiting days set by the lunar calendar. The second is the tshechu, a district festival of masked dances held on the tenth day of a lunar month. The third is quiet: walking days in Paro and a night in Phobjikha.
Bhutanese seasons: clear autumns, a bright spring and the summer rains
The weather decides the views, the roads and the mornings on which the valley can be flown:
The driest and clearest months. October is the busiest, and flights into the country can sell outbusiest season
Cold, with nights below freezing in Paro and roads over the high ground often closed. The AIP says snow clearance is published by NOTAM from November to Aprilcold and clear
Warmer, with rhododendrons in flower. The AIP warns of moderate to severe turbulence in the valley in the afternoons from February to May, so landings are planned for the morningsecond season
The summer monsoon. Rainfall in the Paro valley peaks in July, cloud hides the mountains, and landslides cut the roadsmonsoon
Weather is a scheduling fact
A cloud base that would not matter in Europe closes the Paro valley. We plan the landing with a diversion in mind and give guests a spare day at each end of the trip, more in the monsoon.
The Bhutanese calendar: tshechus and the crane festival
Tshechus follow the Bhutanese lunar calendar and move from one year to the next, so the months below are typical and not fixed:
Why a festival week costs more
Not for the flying but for the rooms and the guides, which fill early. The clearance, the guide pilot and the rooms are all arranged before a date is fixed.
Flying to Bhutan with a dog or a cat
Bhutan typically lets a dog or cat in without a permit when it travels with its owner, but the rabies timetable is long, and the way home is the harder half.
What Bhutan asks for on the way in
Guides for pet owners typically list a 15-digit ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination given 6 to 12 months before entry, a rabies antibody blood test taken more than 30 days after the vaccination, and an original health certificate from a licensed vet endorsed by the government of the country of origin. The animal enters through Paro, the only entry point, and an animal that meets the conditions is not quarantined. Because the sources are secondary, we confirm the list in writing before the animal is booked.
Britain's rules for the return are stricter. Bhutan is not on Britain's list of countries with simple pet-travel rules, and for a dog or a cat coming from such a country Britain requires a Great Britain pet health certificate and a rabies blood test:
- A rabies vaccination first, then a blood sample taken at least 30 days after it, sent to an approved laboratory, with a result of 0.5 IU/ml or higher;
- A wait of three months from the date of the sample before the animal may travel to Britain;
- A Great Britain pet health certificate for the journey;
- For a dog, a tapeworm treatment from a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in Britain;
- Quarantine for up to four months if the rules are not met.
The vet plans the Bhutanese and the British timetables together from the start. For a private flight we confirm the entry point and the paperwork for the animal in writing before the flight. The general rules are set out on our flying with pets guide.
Empty Legs
An empty leg is a flight the operator has to make anyway, with the cabin vacant, and so it is priced low rather than flown for nothing.
Why empty legs to Bhutan are scarce
– Very few business jets fly to Paro, and one that brings a party in during daylight normally stays the night, so the legs worth looking for run from Paro towards Britain, the Gulf or India;
– A clearance lasts only 72 hours, so a leg that moves can mean a fresh application.
A client who can move by a week or two has the best chance. Whatever is free is listed on our empty legs page. A selection of Bhutanese empty legs follows, at roughly 40 percent of a fresh charter:
| Route | Aircraft | Capacity | Whole aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK (London Biggin Hill) - Bhutan (Paro) | Praetor 600 | 9 seats | £32,550 |
| Bhutan (Paro) - UK (London Luton) | Falcon 900LX | 12 seats | £51,950 |
| Bhutan (Paro) - UK (Manchester) | Gulfstream G550 | 16 seats | £60,350 |
| UK (Edinburgh) - Bhutan (Paro) | Gulfstream G650ER | 14 seats | £68,900 |
Reading the empty-leg prices
The price covers the whole aircraft, not a seat. A Gulfstream G550 from Paro to Manchester with eight aboard comes to about £7,550 a head. The cost to you is flexibility: the date, often the hour, sometimes the airport.
Helicopter charter
Beyond Paro the helicopter is the way across the country, since the roads are long. Two operators fly from the Bhutanese side:
based at Paro airport with two H130 helicopters, selling scenic flights of 30, 60 and 90 minutes over the Paro valley and point-to-point charters to Thimphu, Bumthang, Punakha and other placesParo
a private operator based at Ramtokto, Thimphu, with an Airbus H125 that seats six, flying scenic tours, passenger charters and rescue flightsThimphu
The times below are our straight-line estimates for a typical turbine helicopter in good visibility, counting a few minutes for start and approach:
the capital, 13 nautical miles in a straight line against 54 km by roadabout 15 min
the central valleys, 74 nautical miles in a straight lineabout 45 min
Before you plan around a helicopter
Cloud or afternoon wind can keep a helicopter on the ground while the jet waits at Paro. The clearing agent obtains the required permission for chartered helicopters to fly to other parts of the country, and the AIP asks for helicopter movements at Paro to be requested ideally 24 hours ahead. A foreign-registered helicopter needs 14 days' notice, so we use a Bhutanese operator.
Flights from the UK to Bhutan
London sends most of the traffic on this route, with Manchester, Birmingham and the Scottish airfields behind it; the price table higher up covers nine pairings into Paro. Our clients have access to all airports of the UK and Europe. Due to the unique partnership conditions, we can offer our clients the best prices for business aviation services. Our experts will consult you on the availability of private jets in a particular city and help you choose the best option.
List of TOP 25 business aviation airports:
| Airport | Country | ICAO | IATA |
|---|---|---|---|
 London Heathrow Airport |
England | EGLL | LHR |
| Birmingham Airport |
England | EGBB | BHX |
| London Gatwick |
England | EGKK | LGW |
| London City Airport |
England | EGLC | LCY |
| London Luton |
England | EGGW | LTN |
| Edinburgh Airport |
Scotland | EGPH | EDI |
| Leeds Airport |
England | EGNM | LBA |
| Manchester Airport |
England | EGCC | MAN |
| London Stansted |
England | EGSS | STN |
| Liverpool John Lennon Airport |
England | EGGP | LPL |
| Newcastle Airport |
England | EGNT | NCL |
| Bristol Airport |
England | EGGD | BRS |
| Glasgow Airport |
Scotland | EGPF | GLA |
| East Midlands Airport |
England | EGNX | EMA |
| Southampton Airport |
England | EGHI | SOU |
| Jersey Airport |
Channel Islands | EGJJ | JER |
| Cardiff International Airport |
Wales | EGFF | CWL |
| Inverness Airport |
Scotland | EGPE | INV |
| Bournemouth Airport |
England | EGHH | BOH |
| London Farnborough Airport |
England | EGLF | FAB |
| Oxford Airport |
England | EGTK | OXF |
| London Biggin Hill |
England | EGKB | BQH |
| Belfast Airport |
Northern Ireland | EGAA | BFS |
| Gibraltar Airport |
Gibraltar | LXGB | GIB |
| Aberdeen Airport |
Scotland | EGPD | ABZ |
Bhutanese charters from the booking notes: six typical trips
The six trips below are typical jobs assembled from booking notes with the details changed, so none of them is one named client or one date.
PARO · THE LOWEST-PRICED WAY IN
Two guests and a week in the valley
London Biggin Hill - Paro, Praetor 600 via Dubai, about 12 h 25 min · 2 pax
A Praetor 600 with a night in Dubai did the job for far less than the ultra-long-range jet the brief had assumed, and the second leg was flown in the morning.
TAKTSANG · A FAMILY IN SPRING
A family on a ten-day trip
London Biggin Hill - Paro, Global 6000 nonstop, about 10 h 30 min · 6 pax
The clearance and the guide pilot were arranged weeks ahead, with a spare day at each end of the programme for cloud.
THIMPHU TSHECHU · AN AUTUMN FESTIVAL
A party of eight in festival week
Manchester - Paro, Gulfstream G550 nonstop, about 10 h 45 min · 8 pax
Rooms and guides were reserved before the date was fixed.
PHOBJIKHA · THE CRANES IN NOVEMBER
A small group with a photographer
London Luton - Paro, Gulfstream G450 via Dubai, about 12 h 10 min · 6 pax
The group timed the trip for the crane festival at Gangtey Monastery.
PETS · ONE DOG TO PARO
A relocation with one dog
London Farnborough - Paro, Gulfstream G450 via Dubai, about 12 h 15 min · 2 pax and one dog
The rabies vaccination and blood test were planned almost a year ahead, to fit both the Bhutanese window and the British rules for the return.
EMPTY LEG · HOMEWARD FROM PARO
A flexible return after a long stay
Paro - London Luton, Falcon 900LX empty leg via Dubai, about 12 h 25 min · 5 pax
The client gave a window of several days. The fare was about £51,950, roughly 40 percent of a fresh one-way charter on the same sector.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Bhutan
1Can a private jet fly from London to Paro nonstop?
Yes, in an ultra-long-range cabin. A Gulfstream G650ER, a Gulfstream G550 or a Bombardier Global 7500 can fly the planned 4,972 nautical miles without landing, and most other aircraft land once, usually in Dubai.
2How long does a private jet take from the UK to Bhutan?
About 10 hours 20 minutes to Paro nonstop in a G650ER, and about 12 hours 25 minutes in a Praetor 600 with a stop in Dubai, including the stop. A one-stop plan normally includes a night at the stop.
3How much does a private jet to Bhutan cost?
From about £77,500 one way from London Biggin Hill to Paro on a Praetor 600 with a stop in Dubai. The guide pilot, the clearing agent's fees, handling and airport charges are quoted on top.
4Which airport does a private jet use in Bhutan?
Paro International, the only international airport in the country: one 2,265 metre runway at 2,244 metres above sea level, no ILS, and visual daylight flying only. The other airfields are domestic strips, and we do not plan business jets to them.
5What permits and visas does a private flight to Bhutan need?
The aircraft needs a clearance from the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority, requested through its approved agent at least seven days before a landing, and the crew must meet the Paro requirement or carry a guide pilot. British passport holders need a visa, approved in advance and issued on arrival, and adults pay a Sustainable Development Fee of about £75 a night.
6Can my dog or cat travel with me to Bhutan on a private jet?
Yes, with a long lead time. Bhutan typically asks for a microchip, a rabies vaccination given 6 to 12 months before entry, an antibody test and a health certificate. Coming home, Britain treats Bhutan as outside its simple pet-travel list, which means a rabies blood test, a three-month wait and a Great Britain pet health certificate.