Travelling from Bangladesh
Shillong and Meghalaya from Bangladesh: border, visa and a private car from Shillong
From Sylhet, Shillong is closer than most of Bangladesh: cross the Tamabil–Dawki border in the morning and you can be in Shillong by afternoon. Local taxis wait on the Indian side at Dawki for the drive up. From your Shillong hotel, our private car and local driver take you to Cherrapunji, the living root bridges, Mawlynnong and Dawki’s river.
- Border
- Tamabil–Dawki, ~9 AM–5 PM
- Dawki → Shillong
- ~3 hours by local taxi
- Suggested
- 3–5 days
- Visa
- Indian visa valid for Dawki
Outside India? Type your number with the country code, for example +44, +1 or +880.
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- Registered tourist taxis
- Only 10% advance, after we confirm
Getting there
Bangladesh to Meghalaya
- 1Dhaka → Sylhet: by bus, train or a short domestic flight.
- 2Sylhet → Tamabil: about 1.5–2 hours by road to the border at Tamabil.
- 3Cross at Tamabil–Dawki: immigration on both sides, roughly 9 AM to 5 PM; cross early in the day.
- 4Dawki → Shillong: take a local taxi from the Indian side at Dawki, about 3 hours to Shillong. Our car and driver start from your Shillong hotel the next morning.
Travel times are approximate. Check current flight schedules and border hours before you travel.
Before you go
Visa, permits and registration
- You need an Indian visa that allows entry by road at the Dawki land port. Check the port written on your visa before you travel; if it only lists other ports, you may be turned back.
- No Inner Line Permit or Protected Area Permit is needed for Shillong, Cherrapunji (Sohra), the living root bridges, Mawlynnong or Dawki.
- Your hotel or homestay registers you as a foreign guest: give them your passport and visa at check-in, and carry your passport on day trips.
- Since July 2025 a registered local guide is required for treks in East Khasi Hills, which includes the root bridges at Nongriat. We arrange one.
More detail: Meghalaya for foreign travellers
Suggested plan
4 days in Meghalaya
- Day 1Cross at Tamabil–Dawki in the morning and take a local taxi up to Shillong. Evening at Police Bazar.
- Day 2With our car from your hotel: Cherrapunji (Sohra), waterfalls, Mawsmai Cave, viewpoints over the plains of Bangladesh.
- Day 3Mawlynnong (Asia’s cleanest village) and the Umngot river boat ride at Dawki, back to Shillong.
- Day 4Shillong: Ward’s Lake, Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Laitlum, then a local taxi back to Dawki for the border before it closes.
Car + driver
One car and driver for the whole trip
Per car, fuel and tolls included. Hotels you book yourself, or ask us.
| Days | Dzire (4) | Ertiga (6) | Innova (7) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | ₹13,680 | ₹17,280 | ₹19,800 |
| 4 days | ₹18,240 | ₹23,040 | ₹26,400 |
| 5 days | ₹22,800 | ₹28,800 | ₹33,000 |
Want hotels included too? Packages with hotels
Tips for travellers from Bangladesh
- Cross as early as you can: the border closes in the late afternoon and queues build up on holidays.
- Keep printed copies of your visa and hotel booking for immigration.
- Indian SIM cards need your passport and visa; the hotel can help you get one in Shillong.
- You can pay us from Bangladesh (5% transaction fee on top). Carry Indian rupees for small shops and boat rides; cards and UPI work mainly in Shillong.
FAQ
Meghalaya from Bangladesh: common questions
How do I go from Dhaka to Shillong?
Go from Dhaka to Sylhet (bus, train or flight), then about 1.5–2 hours to the Tamabil border. After crossing at Dawki, local taxis take about 3 hours to Shillong. From Shillong, our private car and driver take you sightseeing for as many days as you like.
What are the Dawki–Tamabil border timings?
Immigration is open roughly 9 AM to 5 PM. Timings can change on holidays, so cross early in the day and check before you travel.
Do I need a special permit for Shillong as a Bangladeshi citizen?
No special permit is needed for Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki or Mawlynnong. You need a valid Indian visa that allows entry at the Dawki land port, and your hotel registers you as a foreign guest.
How many days are enough for Shillong from Bangladesh?
Three days covers Dawki, Cherrapunji and Shillong; four or five days is more relaxed and adds Laitlum, Umiam Lake or the living root bridges.
Can I pay from Bangladesh?
Yes. We accept payment from any country; international payments carry a 5% transaction fee on top. Prices are in Indian rupees: you pay a 10% advance after we confirm the plan, and the balance during the trip.