Wondering how to reach Shillong? Your adventure starts with choosing your flavor of journey. Most travelers fly into Guwahati (Pro tip: skip tiny Umroi Airport – its frequent cancellations will ruin your plans). From there, you’ve got options:
✓ Splurge Ride: Book a private cab (₹2,500-3,000) for that 3-hour scenic NH6 drive with AC and pee breaks
✓ Local Experience: Grab a shared Sumo jeep (₹300) from Paltan Bazaar – just don’t expect legroom
✓ Night Owl Special: Late flight? Guwahati’s hotels near the airport offer cheap overnight stops
Bonus Hack: If you’re coming from Darjeeling/Gangtok, shared jeeps run direct (but pack motion sickness pills for those hills!)”.
Once you’re aware of the Best time to visit Shillong, the planning is then a piece of cake.
By Air (The “Fast” Option to reach Shillong)
- Reality Check: Umroi Airport is 30km away but has 50% cancellation rate
- Smarter Play: Fly to Guwahati (Gopinath Bordoloi Airport), then:
- Pre-book a cab (₹2500, 3hrs via NH6)
- Shared Sumo jeeps leave every hour from Paltan Bazaar (₹300, 4hrs)
By Train (For Night Owls)
- New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is your friend: New Jalpaiguri (NJP) is your best bet. The overnight journey from Kolkata/Delhi ends with a 5-hour cab ride to Shillong (shared jeeps leave early morning).
- Overnight trains from Kolkata/Delhi arrive by 5AM
- Shared cabs to Shillong depart by 6AM (₹400, 5hrs)
Road Trips Worth Taking
If you’re road-tripping from Assam, NH6 is scenic but slow—expect tea stalls and hairpin bends. From Darjeeling, it’s a full-day affair via Siliguri.
- From Darjeeling: Stop at Teesta viewpoint for momo break (8hrs total)
- From Kaziranga: Meander through Karbi Hills (add 2hrs but epic scenery)
Within Shillong:
Once there, local taxis rule—no meters, so negotiate hard. Or rent a bike (₹800/day) to explore at your own pace.
- Rent a bike (₹800/day) for Laitlum Canyon
- Taxis don’t meter—agree on ₹1500/day for full-city tours
Nightmare Avoidance:
- Monsoon? Skip NH6—landslides guaranteed
- Friday arrivals? Police Bazaar traffic adds 1hr
- Shillong Weather Guide: Best Time to Visit for Rhododendrons & Festivals
- Sikkim Himalayas: Where Peaks Meet Peace
- Shillong Travel Guide: How to reach Shillong by Flights, Roads & Insider Routes
- 15 Best Places to Visit in Shillong
- Best time to visit Darjeeling: The Perfect Time for Tea, Views & Cool Breezes
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