- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Blog · Updated October 2026
Money in Bhutan: cash, ATMs, credit cards and payments
What currency to bring, where cards work, how ATMs and UPI work, how much to tip and how much cash you actually need.
- Ngultrum = Indian rupee
- Cards in hotels
- UPI for Indian visitors
The basics
Most of your trip is paid before you arrive
If you book a tour, almost everything is paid in advance: the SDF, visa, hotels, guide, car, meals and entry fees. In Bhutan you only need money for drinks, tips, souvenirs, snacks and the odd extra. That makes money simpler than in most countries.
Bhutan’s currency is the ngultrum (BTN), which is pegged one to one with the Indian rupee. Indian rupees are widely accepted. US dollars in good condition are easy to change, and cards work in hotels and larger shops.
- Ngultrum pegged to the Indian rupee
- Bring some US dollars or rupees
- Cards work in hotels and bigger shops
Payment methods
What works where
| Method | Where it works | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Ngultrum cash | Everywhere | Get it at the airport, banks or ATMs |
| Indian rupees | Widely accepted | Carry smaller notes |
| US dollars | Changed at banks and hotels | Newer, undamaged notes are easiest |
| Visa and Mastercard | Hotels, larger shops, some restaurants | A surcharge is common |
| ATMs | Paro, Thimphu, district towns | Not reliable in rural areas or on treks |
| UPI | Merchants with BHIM-UPI QR codes | For Indian visitors, since 2021 |
| Traveller's cheques | Rarely | Do not rely on them |
How much
How much cash to bring
Drinks and snacks
Small amounts each day.
Souvenirs
Textiles, crafts and paintings vary from cheap to very expensive.
Tips
Optional; many guests give the guide about USD 10 to 15 a day and the driver a little less.
Laundry
Charged at most hotels.
Temple offerings
Small notes for butter lamps and offerings.
A buffer
Keep a little extra for unplanned stops.
Details
Things worth knowing
Exchange
Banks in Paro and Thimphu, and the airport, change major currencies. Keep receipts in case you want to change ngultrum back.
Cash limits
Declare cash over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
Duty-free gold
Since 2023, tourists have been allowed to buy limited amounts of duty-free gold in US dollars in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, subject to conditions.
Tipping
Tipping is not required but is appreciated. Hand it to your guide and driver separately at the end of the trip, in an envelope if you like.
On the ground
A realistic money plan for a week
For a typical 7-day tour where meals and entry fees are included, most guests spend modest amounts each day on drinks, snacks and small purchases, plus tips at the end. Souvenirs are the big variable: hand-woven textiles and thangka paintings can be expensive, while prayer flags, incense and small crafts cost little.
A simple plan works well: bring enough US dollars or Indian rupees to cover tips and a few days of spending, change a little at Paro airport on arrival, and use a card for larger purchases in Thimphu and Paro. Keep some small ngultrum notes for temple offerings and roadside stalls, where cards are not accepted.
Before you fly
- Tell your bank you are travelling to Bhutan
- Bring newer, undamaged US dollar notes
- Carry a backup card
- Keep cash and cards in separate places
Money in Bhutan: questions
The ngultrum (BTN), pegged one to one with the Indian rupee. Indian rupees are widely accepted.
Yes, in hotels and larger shops. Carry cash for smaller places.
Yes, in Paro, Thimphu and district towns. Do not rely on them in rural areas.
Yes, Indian visitors can pay at merchants with BHIM-UPI QR codes.
Optional. About USD 10 to 15 a day for the guide and a little less for the driver is common.
One price, paid in advance
Our tours include almost everything, so you only need pocket money once you arrive.
Keep planning