Ask this online and half the replies say app cabs stopped years ago while the other half say Rapido works fine. Both are partly right. Here is what is actually confirmed, what changes from month to month, and how people really get around Shillong.
Quick answer
Do not plan a Shillong or Meghalaya trip around Uber, Ola or Rapido. There is no full app-cab service in Shillong like the one in big Indian cities. App bike taxis have operated on and off: Uber's own site lists Uber Bike for Shillong and Rapido launched there in 2019, but the district transport office banned app bike taxis in 2022 and the Transport Department said in May 2026 that unlicensed operators had been shut down. Inside Shillong people use the local black-and-yellow taxis; for Cherrapunji, Dawki and other sightseeing you need a pre-booked car, a shared Sumo or a day tour. In Guwahati, Uber works normally, including at the airport. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
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On this page(9)ShowHide
- 1.Quick answer
- 2.Key facts at a glance
- 3.Do Uber and Ola work in Shillong?
- 4.What about Rapido and other bike taxis?
- 5.How do people actually get around Shillong?
- 6.How do I get from Guwahati to Shillong without an app cab?
- 7.What should I use for Cherrapunji, Dawki and the other sights?
- 8.If you want a car arranged
- 9.Frequently asked questions
At a glance
Key facts at a glance
| Uber / Ola cabs in Shillong | No full service; do not rely on them |
|---|---|
| Bike taxis (Rapido, Uber Bike) | On and off; licensing enforced in 2026 |
| Inside Shillong | Local black-and-yellow taxis, shared by the seat or hired whole |
| For sightseeing | Pre-booked car, shared Sumo or a day tour |
| In Guwahati | Uber works, including at the airport |
| Guwahati → Shillong | Pre-booked cab, shared taxi or bus |
| Last checked | 13 November 2026 |
Do Uber and Ola work in Shillong?
Not in the way visitors expect. A November 2025 feature on Shillong's taxis describes the city as having no full-fledged Uber or Ola, only a few local apps with limited reach. You may see a car in an app at some hours, but you cannot count on one being there when you need it, especially early in the morning, at night or outside the centre.
Nothing we found shows app cabs taking sightseeing trips to Cherrapunji, Dawki or Mawlynnong from Shillong.
What about Rapido and other bike taxis?
This is where the contradictory answers come from. Rapido launched in Shillong in 2019 and Uber's own Shillong page advertises Uber Bike. But in July 2022 the East Khasi Hills transport office banned app bike taxis, and in May 2026 the state Transport Department said illegal bike-taxi operators had been shut down and that aggregators must register and be licensed at the district transport office.
So a bike taxi may show up in an app on the day you visit and be gone a month later. If one is available it is a cheap way to cross town alone with a small bag. It is not something to build an itinerary on.
How do people actually get around Shillong?
By the black-and-yellow local taxis. They work in two ways: shared, where you pay for a seat along a fixed route and the driver picks up others, or reserved, where you hire the whole car to one place. Say "reserve" if you want the taxi to yourself and agree the fare before you get in. They are easy to flag in Police Bazar, Laitumkhrah and at the main junctions.
The centre is walkable, and traffic is slow in the evenings, so for short hops walking is often quicker.
- Shared seat: cheapest, fixed routes, a short walk at either end
- Reserved taxi: door to door; agree the price first
- Late evening and early morning: few taxis; ask your hotel to call one
How do I get from Guwahati to Shillong without an app cab?
Uber works in Guwahati and the airport lists it alongside a prepaid taxi counter, but an app cab is not the usual way up to Shillong. The normal choices are a pre-booked private cab (about 3.5 to 4 hours from the airport), a shared taxi from Paltan Bazar or Khanapara, or a government bus. For reference, a pre-booked private cab from Guwahati airport to Shillong costs ₹3,150 for the car with us; shared seats from the city are about ₹350–₹500.
What should I use for Cherrapunji, Dawki and the other sights?
Three things work. A car with a driver for the day or for the whole trip is the simplest for two or more people. Shared Sumos run between towns for solo travellers on a budget, though they stop at the market, not at the waterfalls. And day tours by bus or shared vehicle run from Shillong on the main circuits.
If you want a car arranged
Tour Meghalaya is a Shillong operator with fixed, published prices: a car with a local driver is ₹5,310 a day for a sedan, for the whole car. If an app cab or a shared taxi suits your trip better, use it; the guides above explain how.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Uber available in Shillong?
Not as a dependable cab service. Uber's site lists Shillong mainly for Uber Bike, and a November 2025 report says the city has no full-fledged Uber or Ola. Use local black-and-yellow taxis in the city and a pre-booked car for sightseeing. (Checked 13 November 2026.)
Does Rapido work in Shillong?
Sometimes. Rapido launched in Shillong in 2019, but app bike taxis were banned by the district transport office in 2022 and unlicensed operators were shut down again in May 2026. If the app shows a rider, it works; do not rely on it.
Is Ola available in Meghalaya?
We could not confirm any Ola service inside Shillong or elsewhere in Meghalaya. Ola and Uber are available in Guwahati, Assam.
Can I take an Uber from Guwahati to Shillong?
Uber operates at Guwahati airport, but whether an intercity ride to Shillong is offered depends on the day, and the price moves with demand. Most travellers pre-book a cab at a fixed price or take a shared taxi from Paltan Bazar.
How do I get a taxi in Shillong at night?
Local taxis thin out after about 8 PM. Ask your hotel or restaurant to call one, or arrange your return when you go out. For an early-morning airport run, book the car the day before.
Up nextHow to Hire a Taxi in Meghalaya: 6 Options Compared, with PricesSix ways to get around Meghalaya compared: car + driver ₹5,310 a day, Guwahati to Shillong cab ₹2,750, shared taxi ~₹350–500 a seat, Tempo Traveller, self-drive. Which to pick and what to check.Read next (6 min) Keep reading
Related guides
Local operator
Plan & book your trip
Tour Meghalaya runs private cabs and tour packages across Meghalaya. Book directly with a local operator.