Flights to Guwahati — The Main Gateway
Fly to Guwahati (GAU) — it is the main gateway. Direct flights operate from Delhi (3,500–8,000 INR, 3 hrs), Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata. From Guwahati, you can reach any Northeast state by road or connecting flight. Here are all your options:
| From | To | Mode | Cost (INR) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Guwahati | Flight | 3,500–8,000 | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Delhi | Guwahati | Train (Rajdhani) | 1,800–4,500 | ~26 hrs |
| Kolkata | Guwahati | Flight | 2,500–5,000 | 1.5 hrs |
| Kolkata | Guwahati | Train | 800–2,500 | ~18 hrs |
| Mumbai | Guwahati | Flight | 4,000–10,000 | 3.5 hrs |
| Bangalore | Guwahati | Flight | 4,500–12,000 | ~4 hrs |
Airlines operating direct Guwahati flights: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, Vistara. IndiGo has the most frequency — 8–10 daily flights from Delhi alone. Kolkata is the cheapest gateway if you are flexible.
Trains worth considering: The Rajdhani Express (Delhi–Guwahati) runs 4 days a week and is the fastest train option. If you want to save money and do not mind the time, the Kamrup Express or Saraighat Express from Kolkata costs under 1,000 INR in sleeper class.
Other Northeast Airports
Guwahati is not the only option. If you are headed to a specific state, these airports save hours of road travel:
| Airport | Code | Best For | Flights From | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bagdogra | IXB | Sikkim, Darjeeling | Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore | 3,000–9,000 |
| Dimapur | DMU | Nagaland (Kohima) | Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati | 4,000–10,000 |
| Imphal | IMF | Manipur | Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati | 3,500–9,000 |
| Lengpui | AJL | Mizoram (Aizawl) | Kolkata, Guwahati | 4,000–8,000 |
| Agartala | IXA | Tripura | Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati | 3,000–8,000 |
Bagdogra (IXB) is the gateway for Sikkim. From the airport, shared jeeps to Gangtok run throughout the day. Do not fly to Guwahati if Sikkim is your only destination — Bagdogra saves you 10+ hours of road travel.
Getting Around Northeast India
Once you land, here is how you move between states and towns. Shared Sumos (shared jeeps seating 8–10 people) are the most common and cheapest intercity transport. They leave when full from designated stands.
| Route | Shared Sumo | Private Taxi | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guwahati → Shillong | 400 INR | 3,000 INR | ~3 hrs |
| Guwahati → Kaziranga | 500 INR | 4,000 INR | ~5 hrs |
| Bagdogra → Gangtok | 300 INR | 3,500 INR | ~4 hrs |
| Guwahati → Tawang | 2-day drive via Bomdila (private taxi ~12,000 INR) | ~14 hrs total | |
| Shillong → Cherrapunji | 200 INR | 2,000 INR | ~2 hrs |
| Dimapur → Kohima | 300 INR | 2,500 INR | ~3 hrs |
State bus services (ASTC, MTC, etc.) connect major towns at lower prices but are slower and less comfortable. They are fine for short hops under 3 hours. For longer distances, shared Sumos or private taxis are worth the extra cost.
- Helicopter services: Guwahati to Shillong helicopter runs during tourist season (3,500 INR, 20 min). Gangtok to Bagdogra helicopter by Sikkim Tourism (also around 3,500 INR).
- Rental bikes: Available in Shillong and Guwahati. Royal Enfields cost 800–1,500 INR/day. Great for Meghalaya but roads in Arunachal and Nagaland require experience.
- Self-drive cars: Zoomcar operates in Guwahati. From 1,500 INR/day. Petrol stations are sparse outside main towns — always fill up when you can.
Do not attempt the Guwahati–Tawang drive in one day. It is 14 hours through mountain roads with zero lighting after dark. Break the journey at Bomdila or Dirang. The Sela Pass (13,700 ft) section can be blocked by snow from December to February.
Booking Tips
- Book flights 2–3 months ahead. Guwahati flights double in price during Bihu (April) and Durga Puja (October). December rates spike for Hornbill Festival travellers.
- Use Kolkata as a cheaper hub. Kolkata–Guwahati flights start at 2,500 INR. If coming from south or west India, a Kolkata layover often saves 2,000–4,000 INR vs. direct flights.
- Confirm train tickets early. The Rajdhani to Guwahati fills up weeks in advance. Tatkal booking opens at 10 AM the day before — keep IRCTC logged in and ready.
- Shared Sumos leave early. Most shared jeeps depart between 6–8 AM. Arrive at the stand by 5:30 AM for popular routes like Guwahati–Shillong. After 9 AM, you may need to wait or book a private vehicle.
- Download offline maps. Google Maps works across NE India, but mobile data is patchy in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and parts of Meghalaya. Download offline maps for your route before leaving Guwahati.
For complete budget planning, see our Northeast India Budget Guide. For permits, read the ILP & PAP Permit Guide.
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