The practical "know before you go" details that decide how smoothly your trip runs — permits, mobile network, cash, and whether Meghalaya suits a family or older travellers. Straight answers from a local operator.
Quick answer
You do NOT need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit Meghalaya — Indian travellers just carry valid government photo ID; foreign travellers need a valid Indian visa and passport, and the hotel registers them (Form C). Mobile network is good in Shillong and Sohra town but patchy in Dawki, Mawlynnong and remote areas, where BSNL reaches furthest. ATMs are reliable in Shillong but scarce beyond it, so carry cash. Meghalaya is one of the safest, most family-friendly hill states when the trip is planned at a sensible pace.
What the car costs
- Guwahati → Shillong₹2,750
- Shillong → Cherrapunji₹2,900
- Shillong → Dawki₹3,750
- 5 days car + driver₹26,550
Fixed fares, fuel and driver included · only 10% advance
Ask Sia about your Meghalaya trip
Prices, plans and local tips from our Shillong team. Replies in seconds.
At a glance
Key facts at a glance
| Inner Line Permit (ILP) | NOT required for Meghalaya |
|---|---|
| ID to carry | Govt photo ID; foreigners: passport + visa (hotel registers you) |
| Best remote network | BSNL (Jio/Airtel good in towns) |
| ATMs / cash | Reliable in Shillong; scarce in Sohra & Dawki |
| Family / senior friendly | Yes — most sights are viewpoint-based |
| Fuel | Sparse beyond Shillong & Sohra |
Permits: do you need an ILP for Meghalaya?
No. Unlike Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram, Meghalaya does not require an Inner Line Permit for Indian citizens. You simply carry a valid government photo ID. Foreign nationals do not need an ILP either: carry your passport and Indian visa, and your hotel registers you as a foreign guest (Form C). There is no registration office to visit for a normal tourist stay.
Ignore older blog posts claiming an ILP is "now required" for Meghalaya — that has been proposed at times but is not in force for tourists. Carry ID, and you are set.
Mobile network, SIM and internet
In Shillong and Sohra town, Jio and Airtel both work well. Once you head into the deeper valleys — Dawki, Mawlynnong, Nongriat and the back-roads around Cherrapunji — coverage drops sharply, and BSNL tends to reach furthest of the lot. Wi-Fi in remote homestays is often absent or unreliable.
The practical move: download offline maps and your itinerary before you leave Shillong, tell people you may be off-grid for stretches, and treat the quiet as part of the experience.
- Jio / Airtel: good in Shillong & Sohra town
- BSNL: widest reach in remote areas
- Dawki / Mawlynnong / Nongriat: expect weak or no signal
- Download offline maps & itinerary in advance
Cash and ATMs
Shillong has plenty of ATMs and increasingly accepts cards and UPI. Beyond the city it is a different story — Cherrapunji, Dawki and the villages have few or no working ATMs, and many homestays, boat operators and small eateries are cash-only. Withdraw enough cash in Shillong (or Guwahati) before you head out for the day, with a buffer for the boat ride, entry fees and tips.
Is Meghalaya good for families and seniors?
Yes — it is among the safest, friendliest hill states, and most of the famous sights are viewpoint-based with little or no walking: Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, the Dawki boat ride, Don Bosco Museum, Nohkalikai's viewing deck. The main considerations are the winding hill roads (carry motion-sickness remedies and plan regular breaks) and a couple of strenuous spots like the Nongriat trek, which seniors can comfortably skip.
For families and older travellers we suggest a slightly slower 6–8 day pace and a private cab so you control the stops, rest when needed, and never wait around for shared transport.
- Most sights need little walking — viewpoint-based
- Winding roads → carry motion-sickness meds, plan breaks
- Skip the Nongriat trek; keep Don Bosco, Elephant Falls, Dawki boat ride
- A private cab lets you set the pace
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to visit Meghalaya?
No Inner Line Permit is required for Meghalaya. Indian travellers carry a valid government photo ID; foreign nationals carry their passport and Indian visa, and the hotel registers them (Form C). (Arunachal, Nagaland and Mizoram do require an ILP — Meghalaya does not.)
Which SIM works best in Meghalaya?
Jio and Airtel work well in Shillong and Sohra town, but BSNL has the widest reach in remote areas like Dawki, Mawlynnong and Nongriat, where other networks fade. Expect little or no signal in the deep valleys.
Are there ATMs in Cherrapunji and Dawki?
Very few, and they are often out of cash or service. Withdraw enough cash in Shillong before heading out, as many homestays, boat operators and eateries outside the city are cash-only.
Is Meghalaya safe for family and elderly travellers?
Yes. It is one of the safest hill states and most sights involve minimal walking. Plan a relaxed 6–8 day pace, carry motion-sickness remedies for the winding roads, and skip strenuous treks like Nongriat for seniors.
Up nextMeghalaya for Foreign Travellers: Permits, Safety, Getting There and the Root BridgesMeghalaya for foreign tourists: no special permit for the main sights, e-Visa via Guwahati, the 2025 trek guide rule, safety, cash, SIM, root bridges and a 7-day route.Read next (11 min) Keep reading
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Plan & book your trip
Tour Meghalaya runs private cabs and tour packages across Meghalaya. Book directly with a local operator.