Shillong

Don’t just visit. Understand before you go.

Shillong Autumn
Explore Hill Stations

Safety & current conditions in Shillong

Generally safe to travel

Advisory

No active alerts. Carry layers, keep emergency contacts handy and check local conditions before you set out.

Live weather

21°C Overcast
  • Feels 23°C
  • 7 km/h wind
  • 89% humidity

Mountain weather changes quickly. Treat this as a planning signal, not a final safety clearance - confirm locally before you set out.

Emergency & official

112 National emergency 1363 Tourist helpline

Overview

The Scotland of the East - rolling hills, lakes and live music.

DIY Snapshot

DIY difficulty Easy
Best for Culture, Food, Nature
Ideal days 2–3 days
Best season Sep to May
Budget ₹2,000–₹4,000 / day
Local transport Easy
Internet Good
Safety comfort High
Languages Khasi, English, some Hindi
How is this score calculated?

This is a DIY-readiness gauge - how do-able it is to plan and travel yourself. Destinations show it as a 0-5 DIY Score; treks & routes as a 0-10 Score (a wider scale for the extra variables they carry). Both are built from these factors:

  • SafetyLocal safety, terrain and current advisory conditions along the route.
  • Transport accessHow easily you can reach the place and move around without your own vehicle.
  • NetworkMobile signal and data coverage you can expect on the way.
  • Season reliabilityHow dependable the weather and season window is for travel.
  • Budget clarityHow predictable day-to-day costs are, with few surprises.
  • Trail / route clarityHow well-marked and easy to follow the route or trail is.
  • Stay availabilityThe choice and reliability of places to stay along the way.
  • First-timer friendlinessHow forgiving it is for a first-time independent traveller.
  • Solo / women comfortHow comfortable and safe it is for solo and women travellers.
  • Local supportAvailability of guides, hosts and on-the-ground help if you need it.
Read the full method →
Plan it yourself

The DIY deep-dive

The sweet spot for visiting Shillong is September to May. Give it 2–3 days to do it justice. Budget roughly ₹2,000–₹4,000 / day per person for a DIY trip. It is a good fit if you are after culture and heritage, local food and nature. First-time DIY travellers can manage it comfortably, and it is a sensible pick for solo women travellers.

DIY route options

The classic route Base around Police Bazaar area and run the standard 2-day plan - the easiest, most dependable version of the trip.
Time it by season Plan around September to May for the best weather, views and open access.

What most travellers miss

  • Time it for September to May. Outside that window, snow, weather or road closures can cut access.
  • Carry enough cash - card and UPI are unreliable once you leave the main town.

Where to base yourself

Police Bazaar area The main base - most stays, food and transport, and the easiest to reach.

DIY is the main way - this is the upgrade

Want expert help adapting this plan?

Prefer a custom version of this trip? We can help you turn this DIY plan into a private, flexible experience for your dates, pace, comfort and group size.

  • Custom route planning
  • Stay and area recommendations
  • Private group support
  • Local expert guidance
Enquire for pricing Enquire on WhatsApp

How to reach

  • Nearest airport Shillong (Umroi) ~30 km (limited), or Guwahati ~100 km / ~3 hours.
  • Nearest railway station Guwahati ~100 km.
  • Bus & road hub Shared sumos and buses from Guwahati (Police Bazar hub).
  • Taxis & local transport Shared sumos and local taxis.
  • Road access & best route Via NH6 from Guwahati; a scenic plateau drive.

Things to do & travel tips

  • Most travellers fly to Guwahati and drive up - shared sumos are quick and cheap.
  • Use Shillong as a base for Cherrapunji, Dawki and the living-root bridges.
  • Police Bazar is the central hub for stays and food.
  • It rains a lot - carry rain gear most of the year.

Map

Curated places to visit in Shillong

Tap “Get directions” to open any spot straight in Google Maps.

Ward's Lake (Shillong)

0.4 km from Shillong centre

Ward's Lake, locally known as Pollock Lake or Nan Polok, is an artificial lake in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. Located in the centre of the city, it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Shillong.

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Lok Bhavan, Shillong

0.7 km from Shillong centre

Lok Bhavan formerly Raj Bhavan is the official residence of the governor of Meghalaya CH Vijayashakar. It is located in the capital city of Shillong, Meghalaya. The Government House was renamed as Raj Bhavan in 6 Dece…

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Meghalaya

0.7 km from Shillong centre

Meghalaya is a state in northeast India, with Shillong as its capital city. Meghalaya was formed on 21 January 1972 by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: the united Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, and t…

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Shillong Cantonment

1 km from Shillong centre

Shillong Cantonment is a cantonment town in East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya.

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Archdiocese of Shillong

1 km from Shillong centre

The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong is a Catholic archdiocese with its jurisdiction in the two district of Ri Bhoi and East khasi Hills State of Meghalaya, in northeastern India. The Archdiocese of Shillong is al…

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Madina Mosque, Shillong

1.1 km from Shillong centre

The Madina Mosque is a four-storey Sunni mosque in Shillong, in the state of Meghalaya, India. The mosque is the only glass mosque in India, and reputedly the first glass mosque in Asia, and making India the third cou…

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Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Shillong

1.2 km from Shillong centre

The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians is a cathedral in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. It is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong and serves as the seat of the Metropolitan Archbishop of …

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Laitumkhrah

1.5 km from Shillong centre

Laitumkhrah is a census town in Shillong, Meghalaya, India. The name of the place basically means a place where the river "Umkhrah" originates from making its name aptly suited.

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Madanrting

1.9 km from Shillong centre

Madanrting is a census town in East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya.

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Bishop Falls (India)

2.1 km from Shillong centre

The Bishop Falls is located in Shillong, in the Indian state of Meghalaya. It is the 22nd highest waterfalls in India.

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Nongmynsong

2.4 km from Shillong centre

Nongmynsong is a census town in East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya.

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Stay & food in Shillong

Stay

Magnum Hotel

Magnum Hotel, Quinton Road, Shillong - 793001, Meghalaya, India

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Stay

Hotel Center Point

Hotel Center Point, GS Road, Iewduh, Shillong - 793001, Meghalaya, India

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Stay

Bramhome Guest House

Bramhome Guest House, Soso Tham Road, Shillong - 793001, Meghalaya, India

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Stay

Little Castle Inn

Little Castle Inn, Quinton Road, Shillong - 793001, Meghalaya, India

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Stay

Hotel Pegasus Crown

Hotel Pegasus Crown, Quinton Road, Shillong - 793001, Meghalaya, India

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Stay

Hotel Vivanta

Hotel Vivanta, Soso Tham Road, Shillong - 793001, Meghalaya, India

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Stay

Hotel Rainbow

Hotel Rainbow, GS Road, Iewduh, Shillong - 793001, Meghalaya, India

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Stay

Baba Tourist Lodge

Baba Tourist Lodge, GS Road, Iewduh, Shillong - 793001, Meghalaya, India

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Frequently asked questions about Shillong

What is the best time to visit Shillong?

The best time to visit Shillong is September to May.

How many days do you need for Shillong?

Plan for about 2–3 days to see Shillong at an easy pace.

How do you reach Shillong?

Nearest airport: Shillong (Umroi) ~30 km (limited), or Guwahati ~100 km / ~3 hours. Nearest railhead: Guwahati ~100 km. By road: Via NH6 from Guwahati; a scenic plateau drive.

How much does a trip to Shillong cost?

A DIY trip to Shillong starts around ₹2,000–₹4,000 / day per person, depending on stays, travel and season.

Is Shillong good for first-time or solo travellers?

Yes - Shillong is a sensible pick for first-time DIY travellers and solo women travellers, if you plan the basics ahead.

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