Bhutan, the mystical Himalayan kingdom of stunning monasteries, untouched landscapes, and deep spiritual traditions, is a dream destination for travelers seeking serenity and adventure. Whether you’re hiking to the breathtaking Tiger’s Nest Monastery, exploring the dzongs of Thimphu and Punakha, or immersing yourself in Bhutanese culture, knowing how to access cash is crucial. While major hotels and businesses in urban areas accept cards, cash remains the primary payment method, especially in remote regions. This guide covers everything you need to know about cash and ATMs in Bhutan, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.
Where to find ATMs in Bhutan?
Urban Areas: Cities like Thimphu and Paro are well-equipped with ATMs, particularly in main towns and commercial centers. Major banks such as the Bank of Bhutan, Druk PNB Bank, and Bhutan National Bank operate ATM networks where money can be withdrawn using Visa or MasterCard.
Tourist Spots: Popular destinations like Paro, known for the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, have several ATMs available for travelers’ convenience.
Rural Areas: In smaller towns and remote regions, ATM availability may be limited. It’s recommended to carry sufficient cash when traveling to these areas.
Best ATMs to use in Bhutan for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Bhutan are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Druk PNB
- BNB
- T-Bank
- Bank of Bhutan
There are no known Global ATM Alliance member banks or All Points network banks in Bhutan.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Bhutan, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or, Charge in BTN).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you have to pay extra charges for this service.
- If you Decline, the ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in BTN’.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Bhutan?
Yes, majority of the foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Bhutan.
ATMs commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, Cirrus cards. Many of them also accept JCB, Rupay and Amex cards. However, some ATMs accept only Visa / Visa Plus and some accept only Mastercard / Cirrus. So carry options of both types of cards. Others like UnionPay, Diners, and Discover are generally not accepted.
ATM operations
Opening hours: Most ATMs are open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, though in remote areas, ATMs may run out of cash.
Identifying ATMs: Usually found by a signage of word ATM’.
Language options: ATMs primarily offer English as the main language.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Bhutan?
ATMs in Bhutan dispense cash only in the local currency, Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN or Nu.). A Ngultrum has nearly the same value as the Indian rupee, which is also legal in Bhutan. If you want to use Indian Rupees in Bhutan, you can use INR 100 & 50 denomination. You cannot use INR 500 notes in Bhutan. Note – you cannot use Bhutanese Ngultrum in India.
ATM withdrawal limits in Bhutan
ATMs in Bhutan have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of Nu 10,000 (Bhutanese Ngultrum). One bank allows withdrawal upto Nu 15,000 per transaction depending on ATM cash. ATMs typically have a daily withdrawal limit of Nu 40,000 per day.
ATM Fees in Bhutan
There are no fee-free ATMs in Bhutan. Bank ATMs in Bhutan charge between Nu 150 and Nu 300 (Bhutanese Ngultrum) as ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders, so you can use the one with lower ATM fees.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Bhutan. These are:
1. ATM’s Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee, if any.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Bhutan
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Bhutan?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs here on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Bhutan. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Bhutan.
Safety at ATMs
Bhutan is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, and ATMs are available in major towns and cities. Specific incidents related to ATM usage are not commonly reported. But in general, travelers should remain vigilant, particularly in crowded places. It’s advisable to use ATMs located in well-lit, populated areas or within bank premises to minimize potential risks. Additionally, be aware of your surroundings and avoid displaying large amounts of cash after withdrawals. Regularly monitoring your bank statements can help detect any unauthorized transactions promptly.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Bhutan takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Bhutan?
No, its not possible. There are no fee-free ATMs in Bhutan. Bank ATMs in Bhutan charge between Nu 150 and Nu 300 (Bhutanese Nulgrum) as ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted?
Absolutely yes! You can usually use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries at ATMs in Bhutan.
Bitcoin ATMs
Currently, there are no Bitcoin ATMs in Bhutan. Coinhub has announced plans to expand their Bitcoin ATM network to Bhutan, but these installations are not yet confirmed.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Bhutan
Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate ATMs here.
Barclays: No, Barclays does not have ATMs here.
HSBC: No, HSBC does not operate ATMs here.
Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not have ATMs here.
