Travel budget and cost of living in Thimphu (Bhutan) how much does a trip cost?

Thimphu travel budget

Thimphu: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Thimphu

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Thimphu for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Thimphu compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Thimphu in 2025 is 54% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Thimphu in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Thimphu by expense type

Restaurant budget in Thimphu

Lunch

$ 3.3/person
($ 2.9 to $ 4)

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84% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 9.9/person
($ 5.2 to $ 34)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

McDonald's meal

$ 3.6/person
($ 3.3 to $ 4)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 3.3 for 500ml
( $ 3.3)

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49% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5

Imported beer

$ 1.5 for 330ml
($ 1 to $ 2.7)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Cappuccino

$ 1.7/cup
($ 1.3 to $ 3.3)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6

Fizzy drink

$ 0.6/can
($ 0.3 to $ 1)

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77% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Water bottle

$ 0.2/bottle
($ 0.2 to $ 0.2)

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90% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Thimphu

1-star hotel

$ 49/night
($ 49 to $ 982)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 175

2-star hotel

$ 93/night
($ 34 to $ 386)

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44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167

3-star hotel

$ 74/night
($ 27 to $ 338)

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70% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 246

4-star hotel

$ 165/night
($ 42 to $ 709)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 346

5-star hotel

$ 628/night
($ 367 to $ 1036)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 565

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 51/month
($ 51 to $ 980)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 178

Room with kitchen

$ 94/month
($ 34 to $ 336)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 264

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 534/month
($ 146 to $ 992)

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139% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

Cottage or guest house

$ 101/month
($ 86 to $ 195)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 254

Family room

$ 171/month
($ 56 to $ 513)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 218

Supermarket food budget in Thimphu

Milk

$ 0.9/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 1)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 1/500g
($ 0.2 to $ 2)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.7 to $ 1.3)

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80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Eggs

$ 2.4/12 eggs
($ 1.2 to $ 3.5)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Chicken

$ 4.3/kg
($ 3.3 to $ 7.7)

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67% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 3.7)

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53% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Tomatoes

$ 0.9/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 2.1)

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82% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Potatoes

$ 0.6/kg
($ 0.3 to $ 1.3)

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82% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 0.3
($ 0.2 to $ 0.5)

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84% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Thimphu

Bus ticket

$ 1.6/ticket
($ 1.6 to $ 4)

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38% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.7/km
($ 2 to $ 3.3)

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41% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.2/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.4)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1
($ 0.7 to $ 1.3)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Leisure activity budget in Thimphu

Cinema

$ 4/ticket
( $ 4)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 5.7/hr
($ 5.7 to $ 18)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Thimphu

Cigarettes

$ 4.3/pack
($ 2.7 to $ 6.6)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 11
( $ 11)

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81% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58

Summer dress

$ 14
( $ 14)

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71% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47