Saudi ArabiaBhutan: Visa required

Saudi ArabiaBhutan

Do Saudi Arabia passport holders need a visa for Bhutan?

Visa required

Yes. Saudi Arabia passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Bhutan.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: bhutan.travel (checked July 18, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-21

Distance4,276 km, straight line (~5h 32m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Bhutan1 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Bhutan passport holders visiting Saudi Arabia: Visa required.

Bhutan drives on the left, the opposite side to Saudi Arabia. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Visa-free alternatives near Bhutan

Saudi Arabia passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Saudi Arabia passport holders

See all Saudi Arabia destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Saudi Arabia passport holders need a visa for Bhutan?

Yes. Saudi Arabia passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Bhutan.

How far is Bhutan from Saudi Arabia?

About 4,276 km in a straight line, roughly ~5h 32m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Bhutan?

Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN).

What is the emergency number in Bhutan?

110 / 112 / 113.

Does Bhutan drive on the same side of the road as Saudi Arabia?

Bhutan drives on the left, the opposite side to Saudi Arabia. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

What time zone is Bhutan in?

Thimphu (UTC+6).

What is the nearest airport to Thimphu?

Paro International Airport (PBH), about 27 km away.

How many countries can enter Bhutan without a visa?

1 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Bhutan visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Saudi Arabia passport holders visit without a visa instead of Bhutan?

Nepal, Laos, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Macau.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia that occupies the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula. Covering a land area of approximately 2,149,690 km2 (830,000 sq mi), it is the fifth-largest country in Asia and the twelfth-largest in the world. It is bordered by the Red Sea to the west, Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait to the north, the Persian Gulf, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, and Yemen to the south. The Gulf of Aqaba in the northwest separates it from Egypt and Israel. Riyadh is the capital and largest city, while other major centers include Jeddah and the two holiest cities in Islam, Mecca and Medina.

CapitalRiyadh

RegionWestern Asia

Population37M

Area2,149,690 km²

CurrencySaudi riyal (1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR)

LanguagesArabic

Calling code+966

Drives on theright

TimezoneRiyadh (UTC+3)

Nearest airportKing Khalid International Airport (RUH), 31 km

Emergency number112 / 911 / 999

UNESCO sites8

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$34,537 (2025)

Tourist arrivals20.3M (2019)

Climate in Riyadh

Warmest July, coolest January, driest May, sunniest August. Best time to visit: March, October.

Monthly climate normals for Riyadh, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	19.5°C	7.5°C	16mm	299h
February	24.3°C	11°C	2mm	279h
March	27.9°C	15.1°C	1mm	324h
April	33°C	20.8°C	10mm	312h
May	38.3°C	24.9°C	0mm	348h
June	41.9°C	28.3°C	0mm	360h
July	43.6°C	31.1°C	0mm	359h
August	41.9°C	28.9°C	0mm	364h
September	39.7°C	26°C	0mm	326h
October	32.6°C	19°C	0mm	341h
November	28.2°C	16°C	5mm	301h
December	21.6°C	10.3°C	4mm	301h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Saudi Arabia is the quintessential Arab kingdom. Vast deserts, scorching heat, immense oil wealth, camel races, glitzy shopping malls, traditional souq markets, you can find every Arabian cliche you can think of and then some here. A deeply conservative country that was entirely closed off to (non-pilgrimage) tourism for decades, the government did a drastic policy U-turn in 2019 and has been trying to open up the country to the world and shed the country's straight-laced image, with mixed success.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

'Uruq Bani Ma'arid
Al-Ahsa Oasis
Al-Balad, Jeddah
At-Turaif District
Bir Hima Rock Petroglyphs and Inscriptions
Hegra
Qaryat al-Faw
Rock Art in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia

Full source list on About.

About Bhutan

Bhutan, officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country in South Asia, located in the Eastern Himalayas, bordering China's Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and northwest and India to the south and southeast. With a population of over 800,000 (800,871) and a territory of 38,394 square kilometres (14,824 sq mi), Bhutan ranks 133rd in land area and 160th in population. It is a democratic constitutional monarchy with a king as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The Je Khenpo is the head of the state religion, Vajrayana Buddhism.

CapitalThimphu

RegionSouthern Asia

Population796.7K

Area38,394 km²

CurrencyBhutanese ngultrum, Indian rupee (1 USD ≈ 94.99 BTN)

LanguagesDzongkha

Calling code+975

Drives on theleft

TimezoneThimphu (UTC+6)

Nearest airportParo International Airport (PBH), 27 km

Emergency number110 / 112 / 113

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$4,493 (2025)

Tourist arrivals29.8K (2020)

Climate in Thimphu

Warmest August, coolest January, driest December, sunniest October.

Monthly climate normals for Thimphu, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	4.1°C	-5.7°C	25mm	295h
February	4.9°C	-6°C	35mm	270h
March	8°C	-2.2°C	57mm	319h
April	9.7°C	1.5°C	128mm	287h
May	13°C	5.4°C	211mm	290h
June	16.1°C	9.4°C	323mm	236h
July	16.4°C	11.2°C	497mm	186h
August	17.8°C	10.4°C	307mm	270h
September	15.9°C	9.8°C	304mm	226h
October	14.7°C	6.2°C	49mm	321h
November	9.9°C	-0.8°C	11mm	294h
December	7.4°C	-2.4°C	9mm	282h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small country in the Himalayas between Tibet and India. Besides the stunning natural scenery, the enduring image of the country for most visitors is the strong sense of culture and tradition that binds the kingdom and clearly distinguishes it from its larger neighbours. Bhutan is a bastion of Vajrayana Buddhism, and the profound teachings of this tradition remain well preserved and exert a strong influence in all aspects of life.

Full source list on About.