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Money & currency

Money in Bhutan

Updated 2026-08-15

Money & Currency
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Ngultrum (BTN), Indian Rupee (INR)

Currency code: BTN

Practical Money Tips

Ngultrum pegged to the Rupee

The Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee (INR). Both currencies circulate freely throughout the country. Exchange facilities are available at Paro Airport and banks in Thimphu and Paro. Major currencies (USD, EUR, GBP) can be exchanged at the Bank of Bhutan and Bhutan National Bank.

ATMs only in major towns

ATMs are available in Thimphu and Paro but rare or nonexistent elsewhere. Bank of Bhutan and Bhutan National Bank ATMs accept international Visa and Mastercard. Withdraw enough cash before travelling to rural areas, valleys, or trekking routes. ATM withdrawals are in Ngultrum.

Cards accepted at upscale hotels only

Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at some upscale hotels and a few shops in Thimphu and Paro. Outside these towns, expect to pay in cash. Since 2022 there is no mandatory all-inclusive package — you pay for accommodation, meals, transport and your guide yourself, separately from the Sustainable Development Fee, so budget for more day-to-day spending than the old prepaid-package model required.

Cash is king outside Thimphu

Carry sufficient Ngultrum or Indian Rupee notes for souvenirs, tips, personal purchases, and incidentals. Indian Rupee notes below a certain denomination are accepted everywhere; larger notes may occasionally be refused, so check which denominations are current before relying on them for a big purchase. Tipping is not traditional but appreciated — small tips for guides and drivers are customary for international visitors.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

How is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) paid?

Paid in advance as part of your online visa or permit application (a tour operator or hotel can do this for you) — it's your contribution to Bhutan's free healthcare, education, and environmental conservation. The current per-night amount is covered on Bhutan's own visa page rather than here. Since 2022 there is no compulsory all-inclusive package, so accommodation, meals, transport and your guide are booked and paid for separately, on top of the SDF.

Can I use US Dollars or Euros directly in Bhutan?

No, foreign currencies are not accepted for purchases. Exchange USD, EUR, or GBP at the airport or banks in Thimphu and Paro. Indian Rupees (INR) are accepted everywhere at the 1:1 peg rate and are the most practical second currency to carry.

How much spending money do I need?

Since 2022 you pay for your own accommodation, meals, transport and guide on top of the SDF, so budget for those plus souvenirs, handicrafts, drinks and tips. Carry Ngultrum or Indian Rupees for day-to-day spending outside the main hotels — craft purchases in particular can add up.

Should I tip my guide and driver?

Tipping is not a Bhutanese tradition, but it has become customary for international visitors to tip guides and drivers at the end of a tour. There is no fixed amount — tip according to your satisfaction with the service.

Are there money changers in rural Bhutan?

No. Money exchange is only available at Paro Airport and bank branches in Thimphu and Paro. There are no exchange facilities in rural valleys, trekking areas, or smaller towns. Bring enough cash before leaving major towns.

Entry rules, visa types and practical notes live on the Bhutan overview.

Visaja keeps this page's contact details and visa guidance under continuous review — still, requirements can change at short notice, so confirm the essentials with the mission or the official government portal before you travel.