Visiting Meghalaya From Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow and Other Big Cities
Quick take: From almost anywhere in India, the way into Meghalaya is through Guwahati: fly into Guwahati airport or take the train to Guwahati or Kamakhya station, then go about 100 km by road to Shillong. From Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, most people fly; from Kolkata the overnight train is easy too. Plan at least five days on the ground for Shillong, Cherrapunji and Dawki, plus your travel days.
The one thing every city has in common: Guwahati
There's no fast way into Meghalaya that skips Guwahati for most travellers. Once you're there:
- Shillong is about 100 km, 3–4 hours by road (route guide).
- Cherrapunji (Sohra) is about 150 km via Shillong (route guide).
- Dawki and Mawlynnong are 180+ km, best with a night in Shillong (route guide).
From Guwahati you can rent a bike, scooty or car and drive yourself, or take a private car with a driver.
From each city
Flight and train times below are approximate; check current schedules when you book.
From Delhi
- Fly: direct flights to Guwahati take roughly two and a half hours.
- Train: the Rajdhani Express takes a little over a day; good if you like trains and have the time.
- Plan: a week covers travel days plus five days in Meghalaya. A morning flight lets you reach Shillong the same evening.
From Mumbai
- Fly: direct flights take roughly three and a half hours.
- Train: two days or more; most people fly.
- Plan: a week. Mumbai is warm most of the year, so pack warm layers for Shillong's evenings, especially from November to February.
From Bangalore (Bengaluru)
- Fly: direct flights take roughly three hours.
- Train: two days or more; most people fly.
- Plan: a week. Like Mumbai, bring warmer clothes than you'd need at home, and rain gear for Cherrapunji in any season.
From Kolkata
- Fly: a short flight, roughly an hour and a quarter.
- Train: overnight trains reach Guwahati in well under a day; an easy way to save a night's stay.
- Plan: even a long weekend works for Shillong and Cherrapunji; five days adds Dawki.
From Chennai and Hyderabad
- Fly: direct flights take roughly two and a half to three hours.
- Plan: a week, with warm layers for the hills.
From Lucknow and other cities
- Fly: check for a direct flight to Guwahati; otherwise connect through Delhi or Kolkata.
- Train: long-distance trains to Guwahati run from many northern cities; the journey is usually more than a day.
- Plan: allow a full day each way for travel if you're connecting.
How many days to plan in Meghalaya
| Days on the ground | What fits |
|---|---|
| 3 | Shillong and Cherrapunji |
| 5 | Shillong, Laitlum, Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong and Dawki |
| 7 | All of that at an easy pace, or add Kaziranga in Assam |
Our 5-day family itinerary and Meghalaya trip cost guide have the details.
Getting around once you land
- Drive yourself: bikes from ₹999/day, scooties from ₹799/day and our 7-seater from ₹2,799/day, picked up in Maligaon, Guwahati: about 2 km from Kamakhya station. Arriving by air? See renting from Guwahati airport.
- With a driver: a private car from ₹3,450/day in Meghalaya. See Meghalaya by private car.
Once you land in Guwahati
Self-drive rentalBikesYamaha FZ-S FI V2, Honda SP 125, Bajaj Pulsar N160from ₹999/day
Self-drive rentalScootersYamaha RayZR 125 Fi Hybrid Street Rally, TVS NTorq 150from ₹799/day
Self-drive rentalCarSuzuki Ertigafrom ₹2,799/day
With a local driverPrivate car tours5-Seater Sedan or 7-Seaterfrom ₹2,900/day
Self-drive routesRoad trips from Guwahati8 route guides with stops and permitsExploreBest time to go
- October to November: clear skies after the monsoon, with the waterfalls still flowing.
- March to May: pleasant weather.
- June to September: the monsoon. The waterfalls are at their biggest, but roads are wet and views can disappear in fog.
- December to February: cold, clear days; Shillong is cold at night.
FAQs
What's the best way to reach Meghalaya from Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore? Fly to Guwahati, then go about 100 km by road to Shillong: by rented bike or car, or a private car with a driver.
Is there an airport in Shillong? Shillong has a small airport with limited flights. Most visitors fly into Guwahati, which has far more connections.
How many days do I need for Meghalaya from a big city? About a week: a travel day each way and five days on the ground.
Do I need a permit for Meghalaya? Indian nationals don't. Foreign nationals should check the current entry rules before travelling.
Contact / Book
Tell us your city, dates and how many of you are travelling on WhatsApp. We'll suggest a plan and have your rental or car ready when you land.
