Bhutan·Topic

Transportation

Due to its mountainous terrain, Bhutan has no domestic railway network. The primary mode of transportation is by road. The Lateral Road (East-West Highway) is the main artery winding through the country, offering breathtaking but slow, winding journeys across high mountain passes.

Air travel is vital for international connectivity. Paro International Airport is considered one of the world's most challenging airports to land at, requiring highly specialized pilots to navigate the narrow mountain valley. It is serviced by state-owned Drukair and private carrier Bhutan Airlines. Domestic airports have been established in Bumthang, Yonphula, and Gelephu to improve internal connectivity.

Public transit is expanding, with bus networks connecting major towns, and a network of city buses in Thimphu. Taxis are common in urban centers. Bhutan is famously the only country in the world with no traffic lights; a famous intersection in Thimphu is directed by a police officer in a booth using elegant hand signals.

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