[IP_Man]

I had driven to Bhutan in my own car in the pre-covid era, and had paid absolutely minimal fees. I had just shown them a quote of the home stay and it was accepted.

But since 2022, if you want to take your own car/bike to Bhutan, rules have changed.

1. Green tax INR 4500/- per day for your car/bike
2. Speed limit of 50 km/h on highways and 30 km/h within city limits
3. Fastening seat belts is not mandatory
4. Have to hire a guide who will stay with you at all times
5. Guide fees are INR 2500 to 3500/- per day
6. SDF fees INR 1200/- per person per day
7. Have to book stay at a three star hotel at minimum: INR 2500/- to INR 4000/- per night
8. If you are arriving by air, you can not use public transport; you must hire a private taxi and guide
9. If you want to take your bike to Bhutan, you need to hire a backup van with mechanic that will follow your bike. If the guide refuses to sit on your bike, you need a hire a separate vehicle for him
10. Entry fees at almost all tourist attractions have been hiked

Conclusion: It has become exorbitantly costly to take your own car to Bhutan. Taking bike is out of question.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by IP_Man

Conclusion: It has become exorbitantly costly to take your own car to Bhutan. Taking bike is out of question.

Thanks for sharing the list. Seems like there's a keen focus to target a specific segment of tourists who aren't that price conscious and okay to go by the book. Given there was a lot of noise around high # of tourists in Bhutan over recent years, this seems like a planned approach by the government enabling

1. Lesser load on the country roads/traffic
2. More revenue with the focus on (relatively) higher priced services
3. Guaranteed livelihood to locals / industries (guides, cab owners, hotels, etc.)
4. More 'control' to the local government agencies

[saket77]

Fragile ecosystem, their ever-conservative approach towards mixing with 'western culture', some tourists being insensitive towards their environment and culture are some of the reasons Bhutan has always been conservative on the idea of foreign tourists. Just for example, cable TV was allowed in Bhutan very recently and they have tight Govt control over the contents as well. Also, there is mandate in Bhutanese Constitution that at least a total of 70% land area will always remain forested, which means that the resources are also very restricted.

We visited Bhutan in 2012 and thankful to the place & people for making it a memorable visit. The place was expensive to visit even then except for citizens of Nepal, India and B'desh (I hope I have got the countries right). That would explain why one sees scanty tourist numbers from western countries in Bhutan. Some amount of restrictions is now being put on Indian tourists by making it expensive is what I believe.

Incidents like these added fuel to this move since 2019: https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala...ructure-111294

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by IP_Man

[*]Fasting car seat belts is not mandatory.[*]Need to hire a guide with extra fees. He will stay with you all the time.

Can understand all these are to limit the casual (irresponsible) tourist. But mandatory hiring of guide when you are travelling by your car takes away the fun of it.

Though, the seatbelt is not mandatory thing is weird.

[IP_Man]

Bhutan's economy is in serious trouble after pandemic.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tra...ggish-recovery.

https://www.dw.com/en/how-serious-is...sis/a-62836752

The country whose major source of revenue (which is dwindling) is from tourism industry needs to make rules more tourist friendly to boost economy.

[ABHI_1512]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Though, the seatbelt is not mandatory thing is weird.

I also thought the same and enquired around while in Bhutan. The usual opinion is that seat belts only help in case of high speed crashes and Bhutan being a mountainous country, seat belts can actually hold people back in case of any accident from the hills. In fact, there have been cases where the occupants have died after failing to release themselves from the seat belts after having an accident and where they could have saved themselves if not for the seat belts !! Besides, people don’t really drive very fast in the country anyways since there is hardly a straight road there. And that is why, one can often see Bhutan registered cars flying on the Indian highways

[rishi.roger]

I have heard from drivers in hills against the idea of seat belts and it makes sense at low speeds but its a double edged sword.
Are the rules common for all the nations or do we as Indian tourist get some relaxation in pricing ? I think its very expensive affair to take a family there for a tour. I was hoping to visit Bhutan someday but its not happening anytime soon looking at the cost involved!
I appreciate their concern towards environment and culture, but I hope they're finding alternate means to sustain their economy.

[IP_Man]

Originally Posted by rishi.roger

I have heard from drivers in hills against the idea of seat belts and it makes sense at low speeds

In case of minor mishap, if not accident, airbag will harm you if you are not wearing seat belt.

[SilverSmoke]

Not an automotive rule - You can't point finger to anyone or anything.

Considered as very offensive - even to non living things.

[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by rishi.roger

I have heard from drivers in hills against the idea of seat belts and it makes sense at low speeds but its a double edged sword.

This happened to us in the hills at a crawling speed, when the car slipped off the cliff and the seatbelt saved all of us. I can write this on T-Bhp today only becoz of seat belts.

It’s not a double edged sword and please stop listening to people who says so. Always buckle up.

This would have never happened if there was a crash barrier at the edge, but who cares for the life of common people.

[hell boy]

With all the above restrictions, Bhutan risks losing out on tourism, much like what happened with Goa. While regulations are important, excessive constraints—such as mandatory guides, high fees, and strict transport rules—might discourage travelers from visiting. A balanced approach that ensures both sustainability and accessibility would be more beneficial for Bhutan’s tourism industry in the long run.

[nareshtrao]

Originally Posted by IP_Man

In case of minor mishap, if not accident, airbag will harm you if you are not wearing seat belt.

Now in most cars, by design, air bags do not deploy if the seat belts are not fastened. Not sure about the older ones though.

In many countries, that is also the regulation to avoid serious injury to occupants.

[Dibyendu Bose]

While the various charges can be a demand supply matter (like the road tax in Singapore for automobiles), I certainly find the seat belt rules surprising. Being in a state of arrest in case of any eventuality in the planes can be as debilitating as it can be in the hills.
The only other country where I have seen that drivers (and only drivers), are not supposed to put their seat belts is in New Zealand cabs (and only cabs and not cars). That’s because there has been cases where the rear seat passenger has been a burglar and the wrapped up status of the cab driver has proved to be a difficulty in protecting himself.
Other than that can’t think of any other reason….

[Sensible_Speed]

Originally Posted by IP_Man

In case of minor mishap, if not accident, airbag will harm you if you are not wearing seat belt.

Airbag will not deploy if your seatbelt isn't fastened. Most cars today connect the airbag sensors to the seatbelts to prime them.

[IP_Man]

Originally Posted by Sensible_Speed

Airbag will not deploy if your seatbelt isn't fastened. Most cars today connect the airbag sensors to the seatbelts to prime them.

How seat belt alarm is disabled? That means they are using illegal adapter to disable it. In that case air bag will deploy in case of mishap.