Thimphu eSIM
In Thimphu you connect to Bhutan Telecom or TashiCell, whichever is performing better where you are standing. Your data starts working the moment you land, before you reach the immigration hall.
- Networks
- Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell
- 5G
- yes, non standalone
- Throttle
- None on metered plans
- Tethering
- Allowed on every plan
Plans that cover Thimphu
| Data | Validity | Price per GB | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | Never expires | $11.89 | $11.89 | |
| 3 GB | Never expires | $7.63 | $22.89 | |
| 5 GBMost travellers | Never expires | $6.98 | $34.89 | |
| 10 GB | Never expires | $6.29 | $62.89 |
How Bhutan compares across Asia
- Regional median
- 42.95 Mbps
- Upstream networks
- 2, Bhutan Telecom, TashiCell
- 5G
- Yes, non standalone in Thimphu, Paro and Phuentsholing
- Cities with their own page
- 3: Thimphu, Phuntsholing, Tsirang
Landing at Paro International Airport (PBH)
- Airport
- PBH / VQPR
- SIM on arrival
- SIM counters or vending in the terminalSIM cards are sold at the airport's visitor information centre on arrival, and at Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell branch offices.
Getting into Thimphu
- Paro to Thimphu road, 54 km (PBH)
- Taxi rank outside the terminal (PBH)
Worth knowing about Thimphu
- Paro flies by sight only. Operations run under visual meteorological conditions in daylight, sunrise to sunset, with further restrictions in the afternoon during windy seasons, and only a small number of pilots are certified to land there.
- Thimphu is 54 km from the airport along the Paro to Thimphu road, so the capital is a drive rather than a transfer at the terminal door.
- Bhutan wants the visa settled before you fly: a one off US$40 application fee plus a Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per adult per day, reviewed within five working days. Indian nationals need a permit instead, obtainable at the point of entry.
- The terminal building dates from 1999 and its interior was refitted in 2022.
Sources for this page
Other cities in Bhutan we cover
- Tsirang
- 69 km from Thimphu, nearest airport PBH
- Phuntsholing
- 73 km from Thimphu, nearest airport PBH