Many dream of visiting Bhutan, but high travel costs often make it hard to plan the trip. Now, there is a cheaper way to travel between India and Bhutan, especially from Kerala. A travel content creator
recently shared details about a budget-friendly option using trains. According to the creator, a 3AC train ticket from Kerala to the nearest stations in West Bengal, like Hasimara or Alipurduar, costs under Rs 3000.
From there, travellers can reach Jaigaon in West Bengal and cross into Phuentsholing in Bhutan. The journey is even more convenient because it does not require a visa or passport for Indian citizens. The route connects places like Trivandrum to Silchar weekly. This option offers an affordable and easy way for budget travellers from Kerala and other parts of India to visit Bhutan without spending too much.
Dream Trip To Bhutan Becomes More Affordable
Taking to X (Formerly Twitter), the content creator wrote, “Kerala to Bhutan Train details Rs 2600 for 3AC train ticket, 22503 VIVEK SF /12507 Aronai SF (Trivandrum Sikchar Weekly SF). Nearest Railway – Hasimara / Alipurduar junction. Jaigaon (West Bengal) – Phuentsholing. Travel without a visa and a passport.”
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Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “I went last month. It is better to book a taxi from India. Bhutan is very expensive.”
Another shared, “Entry will be allowed only if you have a passport and an identity card. This is required for Bhutan trips.”
One more added, “Here’s a small update. While checking trains, even if you enter APDJ, IRCTC still shows both trains. But those using the Where Is My Train app should be careful. If you search for TVC to APDJ there, it shows ‘Direct trains not available.’ This is because both trains are currently going to the second station in Alipur Duar city, called New Alipur Duar, whose station code is NOQ. The distance between these two stations is less than 6 km.”
India Expands Rail Links To Bhutan For Future Travel
In 2025, it was reported that India is set to connect two important cities in Bhutan, Gelephu and Samtse, to its railway network. The project includes a 69-kilometre line from Kokrajhar to Gelephu, which is expected to cost around Rs 3456 crore and a 20-kilometre line from Banarhat to Samtse, estimated at Rs 577 Crore. The Union Railway Minister had even confirmed that India covered the full cost of building the railway lines.
