Shillong has its own airport at Umroi, but it is small and its flights are few and not always reliable. Here is what flies there, how far it is from the city, what a taxi costs, and when you are better off flying into Guwahati instead.
Quick answer
Shillong Airport (code SHL) is at Umroi, about 30 km north of Shillong, roughly an hour by road. It is a small airport with few flights: the main route is IndiGo to and from Kolkata, and other routes come and go. A taxi from Shillong Airport to the city costs ₹1,800 for the whole car. Most travellers fly into Guwahati (GAU) instead, which has many more flights, and drive 3.5–4 hours to Shillong (₹3,000 by cab).
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At a glance
Key facts at a glance
| Code | SHL (Umroi Airport) |
|---|---|
| Distance to Shillong | About 30 km · about 1 hour |
| Main route | IndiGo to/from Kolkata |
| Taxi to Shillong | ₹1,800 for the whole car |
| Alternative | Guwahati Airport (GAU), 123 km · ₹3,000 by cab |
| Shared taxi | No regular stand at the airport |
Which flights go to Shillong Airport?
The core route is IndiGo between Kolkata and Shillong. Other flights, such as SpiceJet to Delhi and Alliance Air to nearby northeastern cities, run on some days and have been cancelled often; several Delhi flights were cancelled in August and September 2026. Schedules change by season, so check the airline's own site for your dates rather than a flight-search summary.
If you are coming from anywhere other than Kolkata, you will almost always change planes, usually in Kolkata, or fly into Guwahati instead.
Shillong Airport or Guwahati Airport?
Fly into Shillong (Umroi) if you can get a direct Kolkata flight at a good fare: you save about 2.5 hours on the road. Fly into Guwahati if you are coming from anywhere else, want more flight times to choose from, or need a fallback if a small flight is cancelled.
| Shillong Airport (SHL) | Guwahati Airport (GAU) | |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | Few; mainly Kolkata | Many, from across India |
| Distance to Shillong | About 30 km | About 123 km |
| Drive time | About 1 hour | 3.5–4 hours |
| Cab to Shillong | ₹1,800 per car | ₹3,000 per car |
| Cancellations | More likely (weather, small aircraft) | Less likely |
Getting from the airport to Shillong
Umroi is about 30 km from Shillong on the Guwahati highway, about an hour's drive past Umiam Lake. There is no regular shared-taxi stand or city bus that meets flights, so most people take a cab: ₹1,800 for the whole car to anywhere in Shillong. Book ahead so the driver tracks your flight and waits at arrivals if it is late.
Going on to Cherrapunji or Dawki the same day? Umiam Lake is right on the way, and the driver can take you straight on without a stop in town.
Tips for flying into Shillong
- Keep your first day loose: small flights here are the first to be cancelled in fog or rain.
- Morning flights are more reliable than late-afternoon ones in the monsoon (June–September).
- If your flight is cancelled, the fallback is usually a Kolkata–Guwahati flight and a 3.5–4 hour cab.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does Shillong have an airport?
Yes, Shillong Airport (SHL) at Umroi, about 30 km from the city. It is small with few flights, mostly IndiGo to and from Kolkata.
How far is Shillong Airport from Shillong city?
About 30 km, roughly an hour by road along the Guwahati highway, past Umiam Lake.
Which airlines fly to Shillong?
IndiGo flies the main Kolkata route. SpiceJet and Alliance Air have run other routes, but they change often and are sometimes cancelled, so check the airline's site for your dates.
How much is a taxi from Shillong Airport to Shillong?
₹1,800 for the whole car, fuel and driver included.
Is it better to fly to Guwahati or Shillong?
Shillong if you have a direct Kolkata flight, because it saves about 2.5 hours of driving. Guwahati for every other route, more flight times and fewer cancellations.
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