Arriving in Guwahati From Abroad: A First-Timer's Guide
Quick take: Guwahati is the gateway to Northeast India. Most visitors from abroad fly in via Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai or Bengaluru; a few direct international routes exist. Guwahati airport accepts the Indian e-Visa. At the airport, get a local SIM and some cash in rupees, then it's about 12 km to our pickup in Maligaon. From there, Assam and Meghalaya need no extra permit: you can be on the road to Shillong the next morning.
Getting a visa
- The Indian e-Visa (tourist) is the easiest route for most nationalities. Apply online before you travel.
- Guwahati airport is an authorised e-Visa entry point, so you can land here directly on an e-Visa.
- Since August 2026, the Dawki land crossing from Bangladesh also accepts e-Visa holders; see Bangladesh to Meghalaya via Dawki.
- Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram need a Protected Area Permit on top of your visa. Assam and Meghalaya don't. See permits for foreigners.
Flights to Guwahati
Guwahati's airport (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International, GAU) has frequent domestic flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru, which is how most international visitors arrive: land at a big Indian hub, then take a 2–3 hour domestic flight.
There are a few direct international routes, which change often: Air India's flights to the Gulf (Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from August 2026), Drukair connecting with Paro (Bhutan), and a seasonal Bangkok service. Check current schedules when you book.
At the airport
- SIM card: buy a local prepaid SIM (Airtel or Jio cover the region best) with your passport and visa. It can take a few hours to activate. Signal is good in towns and on the main highways, patchy in the hills.
- Cash: use an ATM at the airport or in the city. Carry enough rupees for the hills, where ATMs are fewer and many small places take only cash.
- Getting into the city: prepaid taxis and app cabs run from the airport. It's about 12 km to our pickup in Maligaon, around 30–40 minutes.
Our renting near Guwahati airport post has the route from the airport to our pickup step by step.
Paying for things
- Cash works everywhere.
- Cards work in hotels and bigger restaurants in Guwahati and Shillong; less so in small towns.
- UPI (India's mobile payments) is everywhere. Some foreign banks and wallets now support paying through UPI from abroad, and India has a prepaid UPI option for foreign visitors; check what works for you before you travel. We take cash or international UPI for rentals.
Your first days
- Day 1: arrive, settle in, see Kamakhya Temple and the Brahmaputra riverfront.
- Day 2: pick up a scooter, bike or car and drive to Shillong (100 km, 3–4 hours).
- Days 3 onwards: Cherrapunji, Dawki, Kaziranga; see our 10-day and 2-week itinerary.
Renting a vehicle? Bring your home licence and an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention format) from your own country. A foreign licence on its own isn't valid in India. Details in renting as a foreign visitor. Prefer not to drive? A private car with a driver starts at ₹2,900 (about US$33) a day.
Practical tips
- Drive on the left. Horns are normal at bends and in traffic.
- Dress modestly at temples and in villages, and ask before photographing people.
- The sun sets early, around 4:30–5 PM in winter. Plan to arrive before dark.
- Weather: October to April is dry and the best time; the monsoon (June to September) is very wet, especially in Meghalaya.
FAQs
Can I enter India at Guwahati on an e-Visa? Yes. Guwahati airport is an authorised e-Visa entry point.
Are there direct international flights to Guwahati? A few, and they change often: Gulf routes, a Drukair connection with Bhutan, and a seasonal Bangkok service. Most visitors connect through Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai or Bengaluru.
Do I need a permit for Assam or Meghalaya? No. Only Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram need a Protected Area Permit.
How far is the airport from your pickup? About 12 km, 30–40 minutes by taxi.
Contact / Book
Arriving soon? Message us on WhatsApp (international numbers welcome) with your flight and dates. We'll keep a vehicle for you, and tell you the best way to reach us from the airport.
