Money & Currency in Bhutan: Ngultrum, ATMs, Cards & Banking Guide

Bhutan uses the Ngultrum (Nu./BTN), pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee — and Indian Rupees are widely accepted alongside it.

• Banknotes: Nu. 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000
• Indian Rupee Acceptance: INR is widely accepted as legal tender. Indian rules let you carry notes above INR 100 up to a total of INR 25,000, with smaller denominations uncapped, so a mix that includes INR 100 notes travels most easily. The INR 2,000 note has been withdrawn from circulation in India and is best left at home.
• Where to Exchange: The best rates are at Paro International Airport or banks in Thimphu and Paro. Most hotels also offer exchange services for major currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, SGD).

Yes — in Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha ATMs are easy to find and most accept international Visa and Mastercard, but they thin out fast beyond the west.

• Card Compatibility: Look for ATMs from Bank of Bhutan (BoB), Bhutan National Bank (BNB), or Druk PNB. Most accept international Visa and Mastercard.
• Withdrawal Limits: Typically Nu. 10,000 to Nu. 15,000 per transaction.
• Fees: Expect a local processing fee (approx. Nu. 200–300) in addition to your home bank's international fees.
• Reliability: Technical outages can happen. Never rely on an ATM as your only source of funds.

Increasingly yes in hotels and larger shops — but expect surcharges, and never rely on cards alone.

• Credit/Debit Cards: Accepted at high-end hotels, luxury boutiques, and major handicraft emporiums in Thimphu and Paro.
• Surcharges: Many merchants apply a 3% to 7% service fee on card transactions to cover bank processing costs.
• Mobile Wallets: Locals use apps like goBob, myPay, or eTeeru. goBob and myPay can be registered even before reaching Bhutan, and the wallets can be loaded using a card. Indian travelers can now use BHIM UPI at many merchants via QR codes.

Can I use credit cards in Bhutan?

Yes, at high-end hotels, luxury shops, and major handicraft stores in Thimphu and Paro. Expect 3-7% surcharges. Cash is essential for markets, small shops, and rural areas. Visa and Mastercard are most widely accepted.

Yes - and you might be surprised how widely. Digital payment is very popular in Bhutan: from Thimphu supermarkets to vegetable-market stalls and taxis, most vendors display a QR code, and locals routinely pay for everything by scanning with their phones. Cash still matters in remote villages, but in the towns Bhutan is remarkably cashless.

Tourists can join in with goBoB, the digital wallet from Bank of Bhutan. You do not need a Bhutanese bank account, registration is free, and you can set it up before you even arrive:

1. Download the goBoB app from the Play Store or App Store.
2. Tap Sign Up Now, choose Other National and select Tourist.
3. Register with your own mobile number, passport number, and email address.
4. Load money into the wallet with your debit or credit card (a convenience fee of about 3.7% applies to card top-ups).
5. Pay by scanning any merchant QR code - goBoB works with every bank's merchant QRs, not just Bank of Bhutan's.

Your passport details are verified with the Department of Immigration, and the app secures transactions with a PIN and one-time passcodes. Full details are on the official goBoB page.

Tip: Set the wallet up at home before you fly - you can sort out any card or verification hiccups with your own bank while you still have easy connectivity, then land in Bhutan ready to scan and pay like a local.

With meals and hotels included in your package, most travellers need only Nu. 500–1,000 a day for drinks and snacks — plus whatever your shopping ambitions demand.

• Souvenirs: Budget Nu. 2,000–10,000+ depending on shopping plans
• Snacks & Drinks: Nu. 500–1,000 per day for items outside included meals
• Tips for your guide and driver: entirely up to you — there is no expected amount and no set rate. Guests give what feels right to them, usually from the whole group at the end of the trip.
• Hot Stone Bath: Nu. 1,000-2,500 per session

How much cash should I bring?

Since tours are prepaid, you mainly need cash for souvenirs, snacks, and tips. Budget USD $200-500 for a week-long trip, more if you're a serious shopper. Bring a mix of USD and withdraw Ngultrum locally.

You may carry up to USD 10,000, or the equivalent in any currency, into or out of Bhutan without declaring it. Above that the amount must be declared in both directions — and taking it out is the stricter of the two.

• Bringing money in: cash or bearer negotiable instruments worth more than USD 10,000 must be declared to Customs at your point of entry. Below that figure, nothing is required of you.
• Taking money out: the same USD 10,000 threshold applies, but you must also obtain clearance from the Royal Monetary Authority in advance, and then declare the amount to Customs on departure. Arrange this before your last day.
• Ngultrum: you may carry up to Nu. 25,000 in Bhutanese banknotes or coins in either direction. Above that needs prior RMA clearance, and the excess can be confiscated at the border.
• Indian Rupees: travellers between India and Bhutan may carry notes in denominations above INR 100 up to a total of INR 25,000. INR 100 notes and smaller are not capped.

Worth knowing: undeclared amounts above these limits may be confiscated, so if you are travelling with a large sum, tell us in advance and we will walk you through the paperwork. For an ordinary holiday, where the tour is already prepaid, none of this comes into play.

Tipping is not traditional in Bhutanese culture, but it has become customary in tourism settings. There is no fixed amount - it is entirely at your discretion, guided by how you felt about the service.

• Guides: A tip at the end of the trip, given from the whole group, is the usual way to say thank you for good service.

• Drivers: Also customarily tipped at the trip's end - drivers work long hours on challenging mountain roads and appreciate the recognition.

• Trekking Staff: Pool tips for the whole crew - trek guide, cook, and horsemen - and hand them over together at the end of the trek.

• Hotels & Restaurants: Tipping is not expected; a small tip for exceptional service is always appreciated.

Tip: Hand tips over in an envelope on the last day - a personal thank-you means as much as the amount. Small US-dollar bills are handy for this.

Understanding local banking schedules helps you plan cash needs.

• Bank Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Saturday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Closed Sundays and public holidays.

• Airport Exchange: The exchange counter at Paro Airport operates for all arriving and departing flights, regardless of time.

• Hotel Exchange: Most tourist hotels offer currency exchange, though rates may be slightly less favorable than banks.

• ATM Availability: 24/7 at bank branches in Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha. Check with your guide for locations in other towns.

Plan Ahead: Before leaving Thimphu or Paro, withdraw enough cash for your entire trip to remote areas.

What to do if you run into financial difficulties during your trip.

• Lost/Stolen Cards: Contact your bank immediately to block cards. Your guide can help with international calls. Major banks have emergency card replacement services.

• Emergency Cash: Western Union has limited presence in Thimphu. Your tour operator may be able to advance cash against a guarantee (discuss beforehand).

• Card Not Working: Notify your bank of your travel dates before departure to prevent fraud blocks. Carry cards from multiple banks as backup.

Before You Go: Inform your bank of travel to Bhutan, note emergency numbers, and bring cards from at least two different banks.