Shillong, tucked away in the green slopes of Meghalaya, is the so-called “Scotland of the East” for its scenic beauty, high hills, and local life. With beautiful waterfalls, peaceful lakes and a rich musical heritage, it’s no wonder that this picturesque city is a tourist magnet.
Shillong has everything to offer you from a nature lover to an adventure lover to a culture enthusiast This hill station will certainly welcome you with an open heart but are you ready to explore, enjoy, and enter the world of mystique?
Tips on How to Reach Shillong: The Gateway to Adventure!
By Air
If you are flying in from major cities of India, the fastest way to reach Shillong would be by air. – The nearest airport is at Guwahati by the name of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport which is approximately 120KMs from Shillong.
– From Delhi: There are daily direct flights, roughly 2 hours long. After reaching Guwahati, take a shared taxi or hire a private cab to Shillong, which is usually a 3 to 4-hour journey.
— Mumbai: The direct flight reaches Guwahati in around 2.5 hours. Just like the Delhi route, you can reach Shillong in a couple of hours by cab.
– If you are coming from Hyderabad: You will usually have a layover and so your overall travel time is 5–6 hours. From Guwahati, the taxi ride is the same.
– From Bangalore: Similar experience. Flights take about 5 hours with a layover. This is another scenic drive worth taking — from Guwahati to Shillong.
– From Chennai: Connecting flights may have a stop in Kolkata or Guwahati and take roughly 6-7 hours. The fare for the taxi ride is the same.
– Thiruvananthapuram: Considering that it’s a longer journey with connecting flights, you should be ready to travel for approximately 7-8 hours.
– From Kolkata: No direct flights for Shillong but you can fly to Guwahati for about 1 hour. It will be about a 3-hour drive from there.
– From Bhubaneswar: It’s much like Kolkata, you find a flight to Guwahati and then onwards, total time of about 5-6 hours.
Remember, justus flights karo book on platforms like MakeMyTrip, ClearTrip or EaseMyTrip!
By Train to Shillong
If you are a scenic train lover, you can do train travel to Guwahati. India has a vast railway network, and depending on where you are travelling from, you can check for routes.
- From Delhi — around 24-30 hours by train. Once you are in Guwahati, this journey to Shillong leaves no doubt.
- From Mumbai: Ugh, this takes about 25-30 hours and here be boring long ass ride!
- Kolkata: One of the more common routes; around 12-15 hours. Once again, you will travel from Guwahati to Shillong.Taxi services from Guwahati are available to reach Shillong.
By Road
And if you are someone who prefers the thrill of a road trip, you must not miss a drive down to Shillong! You can find beautiful scenery along winding roads and rolling green valleys.
– How to Reach from Guwahati: Drive about 120 km for 3-4 hours. For an even more economical option, you can also take a bus from Guwahati, which is slightly more affordable and takes longer with stops in the way.
– From Other Cities: Local buses can be hired (from the provincial tourist information center) or private cars. The roads are mostly good, hasten, and enjoy the ride!
Best Practices to Maximize Your Travel to Shillong
- Book in Advance: Its popularity is rising in Shillong, so it makes sense that you book as much in advance as possible. This can help you find good deals from sites like MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip.
- Local food: There are also large surprises at local restaurants and street food stalls!
- Off The Beaten Path: Though well-known places like Elephant Falls and Umiam Lake are a must visit, you could explore places yet untouched like the Laitlum Canyons for exquisite views.
- Local Markets: Shillong has many lively local markets where you can buy some unique handicrafts, local produce, and traditional garments. Be sure to pick up souvenirs!
- Catch up with the locals: The people of Shillong are really warm and welcoming. Interact because you can learn about their culture, music, and tradition.
So whether you are travelling by air, train, road, Shillong is waiting for you to come see the beauty of its culture. Get set to visit a dream destination, by packing your bags, taking the camera and enjoying the trip of a lifetime in this mystical hill station. Happy travels
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