What is the Time Zone in Bhutan?
Bhutan operates on a single, nationwide time zone known as Bhutan Standard Time (BST), which is GMT +6 hours. This time zone is uniform across the entire country, meaning there is no variation in time from one region to another—making travel and scheduling across Bhutan incredibly straightforward.
To help you understand how Bhutan’s time aligns with other countries:
Bhutan is 30 minutes ahead of India, despite the close geographic proximity.
It is 15 minutes ahead of Nepal, another Himalayan neighbor.
It is one hour behind Thailand, a popular travel hub in Southeast Asia.
For travelers from the United States, the time difference is more significant. Bhutan is:
10 hours ahead of New York City during Daylight Saving Time (April to October).
11 hours ahead during Standard Time (November to March).
This means that when it’s 8:00 AM in Bhutan, it is 9:30 AM in India, 7:00 AM in Thailand, and either 10:00 PM or 9:00 PM the previous day in New York, depending on the season.
Bhutan does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so its time remains constant throughout the year. This stability can be helpful when coordinating international calls, flights, and travel plans. However, if you’re flying in from a region with a significant time difference, especially from the Americas or Europe, it’s a good idea to allow a day or two to adjust to the local time.
Whether you’re planning a virtual meeting or scheduling your arrival, knowing Bhutan’s time zone can help you stay punctual and prepared as you begin your journey into this peaceful Himalayan kingdom.