Gangtok to Thimphu by bus
Thimphu lies 103 km (64 mi) east of Gangtok, +0.5 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there.
A coach takes about 2 h 6 min including stops, over roughly 125 km (78 mi) of road.
| Gangtok | Thimphu | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | India | Bhutan |
| Population | 100,286 | 98,676 |
| Elevation | 1,654 m (5,427 ft) | 2,307 m (7,569 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+5:30 (Asia/Kolkata) | UTC+6 (Asia/Thimphu) |
Clocks in Thimphu are 30 min ahead of Gangtok right now, so a 2 h 6 min journey lands 2 h 36 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Thimphu
Crossing from India into Bhutan: money changes from the Rupee to the Ngultrum (BTN); sockets are AC power s and sockets: British and related types, BS 1363, BS 546, Euro, Schuko; the dialling code becomes +975; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1061257 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648804.
Where to book buses from Gangtok to Thimphu
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Staying in Thimphu
Live rooms and prices for Thimphu are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Thimphu
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Thimphu from Gangtok?
103 km (64 mi) in a straight line, east of Gangtok; by road roughly 125 km (78 mi).
How long does it take to get from Gangtok to Thimphu by bus?
About 2 h 6 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Gangtok and Thimphu?
Thimphu is 30 min ahead at the moment (Asia/Thimphu against Asia/Kolkata).
What currency do I need in Thimphu?
The Ngultrum (BTN).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.