Meghalaya Travel Budget — A 2026 Cost Guide

Quick cost summary (per person, 4 nights / 5 days ex-Guwahati)

Cost breakup

• Hotels: Shillong 3★ from ₹2,500; Cherrapunji resorts ₹3,500-7,000.
• Vehicle: Innova for 5 days ~₹14,000-17,000 (split among travelers).
• Sightseeing entries & boating: Dawki river boat (₹800/boat ×6), caves entries ~₹100-200, root bridge ₹100.
• Meals: ₹350-700 per meal at decent restaurants; tribal homestays include dinner & breakfast.
• Permits / fees: Minimal — no permits for most of Meghalaya for Indians.

Where you save money

• Fly into Guwahati (GAU) not Bagdogra — significantly cheaper from most metros.
• Stay 2 nights in Cherrapunji instead of doing it as a day trip — you save on a long round-trip drive and get the magical post-sunset waterfalls.
• Pick a homestay over a hotel in Mawlynnong — ₹1,500-2,500 a night, includes a Khasi-style dinner.
• Travel October-November or February-March (sweet spot between peak rates and monsoon).

Where you might splurge

• Polo Towers / Tripura Castle (Shillong heritage) — ₹6,000-12,000/night.
• Living Root Bridge trek with overnight at Nongriat — ₹2,500-4,000 add-on per person.
• Premium Dawki houseboat lunch — ₹2,500/person.
• Cherrapunji helicopter ride (subject to availability) — ₹7,500/person.

Sample mid-range plan with prices

Day 1: Guwahati airport → Shillong (₹4,500 cab + ₹3,500 hotel = ₹8,000)

Day 2: Shillong sightseeing + Police Bazaar (₹3,500 hotel + ₹2,000 meals + activities)

Day 3: Shillong → Cherrapunji (₹4,000 hotel + ₹2,500 meals + ₹1,500 entries)

Day 4: Mawlynnong + Dawki + back to Shillong (₹3,500 hotel + ₹2,500 meals + ₹2,500 boating)

Day 5: Shillong → Guwahati airport (₹3,500 cab + breakfast)

Per couple total: ~₹46,000-52,000 inclusive. ₹23,000-26,000 per person.