Shillong Tourism Guide: How to Reach, Best Season & Local Travel
Nestled in the heart of Meghalaya, Shillong—popularly called the ‘Scotland of the East’—is a hill paradise of rolling green valleys, misty lakes, musical waterfalls, and cool pine forests. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, romantic trip, or adventure getaway, Shillong offers the perfect blend of nature, culture, and easy accessibility. This detailed Shillong tourism guide covers how to reach, best season to visit, top hotel options, local transport, major attractions, and essential travel tips to plan your trip smoothly.
How to Reach Shillong
Shillong is well connected to major Indian cities, with Guwahati in Assam acting as the main gateway for most travelers.[web:6][web:10]
1. By Air (Nearest Airport)
Shillong Airport (Umroi)
- Distance: About 30 km from Shillong city.[web:18]
- Limited flight connectivity, mainly from Kolkata and occasional metros.[web:18]
Guwahati Airport (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International)
- Distance: Around 100–120 km from Shillong.[web:6][web:17]
- Best option with good connectivity from major cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.[web:6][web:10]
- Approx taxi fare Guwahati → Shillong: ₹2,200–₹3,000 for a private cab / ₹400–₹600 per seat in shared cab (rates vary with season).[web:6][web:8]
2. By Road
- Route: Guwahati → Shillong via NH 6 (earlier NH 40), roughly 100–120 km.[web:6][web:14]
- Travel time: About 2.5–3 hours in normal conditions.[web:6][web:17]
- Scenic drive through green hills, valleys, and viewpoints along the way.[web:8][web:12]
- Regular state buses, ASTC buses, tourist shuttles, and shared taxis available from Guwahati.[web:6][web:14]
3. By Rail
- Shillong does not have its own railway station.[web:14][web:17]
- Nearest railhead: Guwahati Railway Station, around 100–105 km away.[web:14][web:18]
- Guwahati is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and other major cities by regular trains.[web:6][web:8]
- From Guwahati, take a cab, shared taxi, or bus to reach Shillong.[web:6][web:10]
Best Season to Visit Shillong
Shillong can be visited year-round, but each season offers a different experience.
Summer (March–June) – Best Time
- Pleasant weather (15°C–25°C)
- Ideal for sightseeing, boating, waterfalls
- Best season for families and couples
- Recommended months: April & May
Monsoon (July–September) – Lush & Magical
- Heavy rainfall, but extremely scenic
- Waterfalls are at peak flow
- Best for photography & nature lovers
- (But avoid landslide-prone days)
Winter (October–February) – Cold & Clear
- Temperature 4°C–16°C
- Crystal-clear views
- Perfect for honeymooners
- December–January are cold but beautiful
Local Travel in Shillong
Shillong has multiple local transport options, which makes moving around easy.
1. Local Taxis
- Black-and-yellow Maruti 800 / WagonR taxis
- Charges:
- Within city: ₹200–₹400
- Hourly trip: ₹800–₹1,200
- Full-day Shillong sightseeing: ₹2,500–₹3,500
2. Shared Taxis
- Very economical
- ₹20–₹50 per person for short distances
3. Bike Rentals
- ₹800–₹1,200 per day (Scooty/Bike)
4. Private Cab for Shillong + Cherrapunji + Dawki
- 1-Day Cherrapunji Tour: ₹3,000–₹4,000
- Dawki + Mawlynnong: ₹3,500–₹4,500
Top Places to Visit in Shillong
1. Umiam Lake (Barapani)
A serene man-made lake surrounded by pine-covered hills, Umiam Lake is ideal for boating, speedboat rides, kayaking, and capturing beautiful sunrise or sunset views.
2. Shillong Peak
Standing at 1,966 meters, Shillong Peak offers stunning 360° views of rolling hills, deep valleys, and the sparkling city line—perfect for photography and sightseeing.
3. Elephant Falls
A famous triple-tiered waterfall surrounded by lush greenery, Elephant Falls is one of the most iconic and easy-to-access attractions in Shillong.
4. Ward’s Lake
Ward’s Lake is a calm and beautiful lakeside destination offering paddle boating, flower gardens, charming bridges, and peaceful walking trails.
5. Laitlum Canyon
Laitlum Canyon offers jaw-dropping views of deep valleys, high cliffs, and scenic landscapes—ideal for trekking, photography, and sunset views.
6. Police Bazaar
Shillong’s busiest market packed with shops, cafés, street food stalls, and local handicrafts—great for shopping, evening walks, and cultural experiences.
Nearby Day Trips from Shillong
Cherrapunji (54 km)
Known for living root bridges, Nohkalikai Falls, misty landscapes, and adventure caves—perfect for a full-day nature tour.
Dawki (82 km)
Famous for the crystal-clear Umngot River, Dawki offers glass-bottom boating, beachside views, and scenic Indo–Bangladesh border landscapes.
Mawlynnong Village (78 km)
Asia’s cleanest village known for bamboo skywalks, neat pathways, eco-friendly homes, and the single-decker living root bridge.
