Quick answer
A 5-night Meghalaya trip covering Shillong, Sohra and Dawki costs from about ₹16,000 per person on a budget, ₹24,000 mid-range and ₹52,000 luxury, twin sharing, land only. Return flights to Guwahati add roughly ₹9,000–19,000 from Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru. Car hire is the biggest cost, so groups of four save the most.
Meghalaya at three budgets
Budget
Starting from
₹16,000
per person, twin sharing
Land only, no flights. 5 nights in guesthouses and homestays, breakfast, a small car shared by four for all six days. Entry fees and boating extra.
Mid-range
Starting from
₹24,000
per person, twin sharing
Land only, no flights. 5 nights in 3-star hotels in Shillong and good resorts or homestays in Sohra and Shnongpdeng, breakfast and dinner, a private SUV for two for six days.
Luxury
Starting from
₹52,000
per person, twin sharing
Land only, no flights. 5 nights in Shillong's best hotels and premium resorts near Sohra, all meals, a private Innova Crysta, and a local guide for the root bridge trek.
Starting prices per person on twin sharing for 5 nights, reflecting typical market rates at the time of review. Peak dates (Diwali, Christmas–New Year, May–June school holidays) cost more. GST and TCS apply as per law on packages.
Where the money goes (mid-range, per person)
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shillong hotel, 2 nights with breakfast and dinner | ₹4,000–6,500 | Per person, twin sharing, 3-star. |
| Sohra resort or homestay, 2 nights with breakfast and dinner | ₹4,500–7,500 | Good options are few; book early for October–December. |
| Shnongpdeng or Dawki stay, 1 night | ₹1,500–3,000 | Riverside camps and simple guesthouses. |
| Private SUV and driver for six days | ₹10,000–13,000 | Per person for two. Roughly halves with four sharing. |
| Entry fees, parking, boating and guides | ₹1,500–3,000 | Many small fees, paid in cash. |
| Lunches and snacks | ₹2,500–4,000 | — |
Return flight fares from Indian cities
| From | Typical return economy fare |
|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹9,000–16,000 |
| Mumbai | ₹11,000–19,000 |
| Bengaluru | ₹10,000–18,000 |
| Kolkata | ₹5,000–9,000 |
Booked 4–8 weeks ahead outside peak holidays. Last-minute and festive fares run higher.
How to spend less without ruining the trip
- Share a car among four. Public transport to the sights is limited, so a car is hard to avoid.
- Travel from January to March, outside Christmas, for lower rates and the clearest water at Dawki.
- If you only need the airport transfer, shared taxis between Guwahati and Shillong are far cheaper than a private car.
- Stay in Sohra homestays instead of resorts. They are cheaper and often include home-cooked dinners.
- Carry cash in small notes for entry, parking and camera fees. Card machines are rare outside Shillong.
- Book Shillong rooms early for the Cherry Blossom Festival and Christmas, when last-minute rates spike.
How much does a Meghalaya trip cost?
For 5 nights covering Shillong, Sohra and Dawki, expect from about ₹16,000 per person on a budget, ₹24,000 mid-range and ₹52,000 luxury, twin sharing, land only. Flights to Guwahati are extra.
| Tier | From (per person) | Hotels | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹16,000 | Guesthouses, homestays | Small car shared by four |
| Mid-range | ₹24,000 | 3-star and good resorts | Private SUV for two |
| Luxury | ₹52,000 | Best hotels and resorts | Innova Crysta, guide |
These numbers follow our 6-day Meghalaya itinerary: two nights in Shillong, two in Sohra and one at Shnongpdeng or Dawki.
What drives the cost?
- The car. Meghalaya's main sights are spread across the Khasi and Jaintia hills, and public transport to them is thin. A private car for six days is the biggest single item. A couple pays roughly double per head compared with four sharing.
- Where you sleep in Sohra. Sohra has a small number of good resorts and many simple homestays. Resorts can cost twice as much as a comfortable homestay.
- Season. October to December is the busiest period, especially around Puja, the Cherry Blossom Festival and Christmas. January to March is quieter and cheaper.
- Activities. Kayaking, snorkelling and camping at Shnongpdeng, or a guided overnight in Nongriat, add roughly ₹1,000–3,000 per person.
Small costs that add up
Almost every waterfall, cave, viewpoint and village charges a small entry, parking or camera fee, usually ₹10–100. Boating at Dawki is priced per boat, and guides for the root bridge trek or Mawphlang Sacred Grove are extra. Carry ₹1,000–1,800 per person per day for these and lunches.
How to get there
Fly to Guwahati, about 100 km and 3 hours from Shillong. Kolkata has the cheapest fares; Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru have frequent flights. Shillong's own airport at Umroi has very limited service. Many travellers combine Meghalaya with Kaziranga, which adds two nights and a safari.
Keep a spare half-day in the monsoon. Landslides and heavy rain can stop traffic on the Sohra and Dawki roads.
See the best time to visit Meghalaya, things to do in Meghalaya and what to eat in Meghalaya. Want this priced for your group? Use our enquiry form, or compare India tour packages.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Meghalaya trip cost for a couple?
Is Meghalaya cheaper than Sikkim?
What are the entry fees in Meghalaya?
Can I do Meghalaya on a budget?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
