Meghalaya has no major airport or railway of its own, so almost every trip routes through Guwahati in neighbouring Assam. Here is how to get there by air, rail and road, and how to cover the last leg to Shillong.
Quick answer
The main gateway to Meghalaya is Guwahati (Assam) — its airport (GAU) and railway station are the practical arrival points for almost all travellers. From Guwahati it is a roughly 100–120 km, 3 to 3.5 hour drive to Shillong by private cab or shared taxi via NH6, past Umiam Lake. Shillong's own Umroi airport has only very limited flights, so most visitors fly or train into Guwahati and continue by road.
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At a glance
Key facts at a glance
| Main airport | Guwahati (GAU), Assam |
|---|---|
| Main railhead | Guwahati (GHY) |
| Guwahati → Shillong | ~100–120 km, 3–3.5 hrs by road |
| Route | NH6 via Umiam Lake |
| Shillong (Umroi) airport | Very limited flights only |
| Last leg | Private cab or shared taxi |
By air
The nearest major airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (code GAU), well connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other Indian cities. From the airport it is about a 3.5 hour drive to Shillong.
Shillong does have its own small airport at Umroi, roughly 30–35 km from the city, but scheduled flights there are very limited, so you cannot usually rely on it. Most travellers fly into Guwahati and drive up.
- Fly into Guwahati (GAU) — the practical choice
- Pre-book an airport cab to avoid haggling after your flight
- Umroi (Shillong) airport: limited flights, check carefully
By train
There is no major railway station in Meghalaya, so the nearest railhead is Guwahati (GHY) in Assam, a major junction on the Indian Railways network with connections from Kolkata, Delhi and across the country. From Guwahati station it is the same ~3 to 3.5 hour road journey up to Shillong.
By road — the last leg to Shillong
From Guwahati, the drive to Shillong runs about 100–120 km along NH6, climbing from the Assam plains into the Khasi Hills past the broad Umiam (Barapani) Lake. The road is scenic and reasonably good, but winding in the hills, so allow 3 to 3.5 hours plus stops.
You can take a shared sumo/taxi from the stand, but most visitors prefer a pre-booked private cab — it picks you up at the airport or station, includes a free Umiam Lake photo stop, and avoids waiting for a shared vehicle to fill. From Shillong you then continue to Cherrapunji, Dawki and beyond.
- NH6 from Guwahati via Umiam Lake
- Shared taxi (cheaper) or private cab (door-to-door, flexible)
- Same drive time from the airport or the railway station
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Meghalaya?
Travel via Guwahati in Assam — fly into Guwahati airport (GAU) or arrive by train at Guwahati (GHY), then drive about 100–120 km (3–3.5 hours) to Shillong by private cab or shared taxi via NH6.
Is there an airport in Shillong?
Shillong has a small airport at Umroi (about 30–35 km from the city), but scheduled flights are very limited. Most travellers fly into Guwahati instead and continue by road.
How far is Shillong from Guwahati airport?
About 123 km from Guwahati airport, roughly a 3.5 hour drive via NH6 past Umiam Lake. From Guwahati city or railway station it is around 100 km and 3–3.5 hours.
What is the best way to get from Guwahati to Shillong?
A pre-booked private cab is the most comfortable — door-to-door pickup, a free Umiam Lake stop and no waiting. Shared sumo taxis are cheaper but leave only when full and drop at a fixed stand.
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