11 August 2026 · 1 min read
How to reach Shillong: every route, honestly compared
Getting to Shillong from Guwahati airport, railway station or ISBT — by shared taxi, private cab, bus or helicopter, with times and costs.
Shillong has no useful airport and no railway station. Everything arrives through Guwahati.
From Guwahati airport (LGB)
125 km, about 3.5 hours on NH-6. Shared seat ₹700–₹900; whole cab is the sum of the seats. This is the route most visitors take.
From Guwahati railway station (Paltan Bazar)
100 km, about 3 hours — shorter than from the airport because you skip the run across the city. The taxi stand is walking distance from the platforms.
From Kamakhya station
Similar to Paltan Bazar. Convenient if your train terminates there, and you can fit the temple in before leaving.
From Guwahati ISBT
Buses and shared cabs both run. Cheaper, slower, and less comfortable on hill roads.
By helicopter
There is a Guwahati–Shillong helicopter service. It is quick and it is frequently cancelled for weather. Do not build a tight itinerary around it.
What to expect on the road
One toll at Khanapara, one at Jorabat. A tea stop somewhere around Nongpoh. Umiam Lake about two-thirds of the way, worth fifteen minutes.