Bhutan Travel Guide
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
What the fee is, how much it is for adults, children and Indian nationals, how it is paid, and what is known about the rate after August 2027.
The Sustainable Development Fee, or SDF, is a charge that every visitor pays to the government of Bhutan for each night spent in the country. It is the main reason a trip to Bhutan costs more than one to its neighbours, so it is worth understanding before you compare prices.
How much it is
| Visitor | Fee for each night |
|---|---|
| Adult | US$100 |
| Child aged 6 to 11 | US$50 |
| Child under 6 | No fee |
| Indian national, adult | Nu. 1,200, or the same in rupees |
| Indian national, aged 6 to 11 | Nu. 600 |
| Indian national, under 6 | No fee |
The fee is counted in nights, not days. A seven-day tour has six nights, so the fee for an adult is US$600, to which the visa fee of US$40 is added.
Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives should ask us about the reduced rate, which applies to a limited number of guests.
What it pays for
The Department of Tourism describes the fee as a daily levy that supports the country's development. It names free healthcare and education, training in tourism and hospitality, public works, and the protection of the environment and of cultural heritage.
How it is paid
The fee is paid in full with the visa application, before you travel. When you book with us we collect it with the price of the tour and pass it to the government; you do not make a separate payment.
If you apply on your own and pay by card, tell your bank first, so that the payment is not stopped.
Refunds
If you cancel a trip, or leave Bhutan earlier than planned, the fee for the nights you did not spend in the country is refunded through the visa portal, less bank charges, after your departure. The US$40 visa fee is not refunded.
Will the rate change?
The rate of US$100 dates from September 2023, when the fee was halved from US$200. It was announced then as running until 31 August 2027.
The official pages we check give no end date and no rate for the period after it. We do not guess. If you are planning for late 2027 or beyond, ask us, and we will tell you what has been announced on the day you write.
The border towns
Under a waiver announced to run from 2 June 2026 until August 2027, no fee is charged for a stay of up to 24 hours inside the border towns of Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar. It applies only within each town's checkpoint.
Is it included in our prices?
Yes. A price from us includes the fee and the visa for every traveller, and says so. When you compare quotations from different operators, check that each one does the same.
Questions
What is the Sustainable Development Fee?
A fee every visitor pays to the government of Bhutan for each night in the country. It is US$100 a night for adults and US$50 for children aged 6 to 11; children under 6 pay nothing. Indian nationals pay Nu. 1,200 a night.
It is paid with your visa application. When you travel with us we collect it with the tour payment and pass it on. See the Sustainable Development Fee.
Is the Sustainable Development Fee included in your prices?
Yes. A price we quote includes the Sustainable Development Fee and the visa fee for every person in your party, unless the quotation says otherwise.
Will the Sustainable Development Fee change?
The present rate of US$100 a night dates from September 2023, when the fee was halved from US$200. It was announced at the time as running until 31 August 2027.
The official pages we check give no end date and no rate for the period after it. We will change this answer when the government announces one, and a quotation from us always states the rate it is based on.
Tell us how you like to travel
A few lines are enough: when, how long, and what draws you to Bhutan. We answer with a suggested route and what it would cost.
We reply ["within 24 hours"].