Compared to other countries in the world, traveling in Bhutan is expensive due to the must pay Sustainable Development fee(SDF) to the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Since 20 June 2022, the SDF has been raised to 200USD per night per person from 65USD. For guests from India the SDF is 1,200 ngultrum, or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees, per person, per night. Children aged 6 to 12 at the time of travel receive a 50% concessionary discount on their SDF. Those aged 5 or younger are exempt. But compared to its royal standard service, unique cultural and natural resources, and carbon-negative environment, the Bhutan trip is still worth the price. Lower the costs by finding a travel buddy to Bhutan.
The SDF from tourists (USD200 per person per night) can be understood as a government-imposed tax to benefit all Bhutanese for free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation in Bhutan. Also, the fee will go towards activities that promote carbon-neutral tourism and building a more sustainable tourism sector such as offsetting the carbon footprint of tourists and upskilling workers in the sector. (Please note: A 50% discount shall be granted on the prevailing SDF of USD 200 for US Dollar paying tourists visiting Bhutan. The effective SDF with the discount shall be USD 100 per person per night for US Dollar paying tourists, effect from 1 September 2023 till 31 August 2027.)
Why SDF? The Tourism Council of Bhutan strongly adheres to a policy of "High Value, Low Impact" tourism which serves as the purpose of making Bhutan one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world and to minimize the negative impact on its effort on conservation of the environment, promotion of cultural heritage, safeguarding sovereign status of the Nation. Amazing Bhutan is waiting for you to discover.
If I cancel my trip will my SDF be refunded?
Yes, the SDF will be refunded by the Department of Immigration for any cancelled or shortened trips; any bank charges will be deducted from the total refunded. Requests for SDF refunds should be submitted online using the visa portal. The refund will be processed after visitors leave Bhutan.
Data in submission...