From Mumbai, the Northeast is a 3-hour direct flight to Guwahati, the gateway to Meghalaya, Assam and Arunachal. For Sikkim and Darjeeling, you fly to Bagdogra, usually with a stop. Trains take over 40 hours, so almost everyone flies.
Because the flight takes most of a day door to door, plan for at least 6 days, and 8 to 10 days if you want two states. This guide covers flights, the best combinations for your time and a 7-day plan with a rough budget.
Key takeaways
- Direct flights: Mumbai to Guwahati, about 3 hours 10 minutes, several a day.
- For Sikkim and Darjeeling: fly to Bagdogra, usually via Kolkata, Delhi or Bengaluru.
- Minimum trip: 6 days. Best: 8 to 10 days.
- Best months: October to April for most of the region.
- Book flights 4 to 6 weeks ahead for Diwali, Christmas and New Year.
Flights from Mumbai
| Route | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai to Guwahati | About 3 hours 10 minutes direct | Several daily direct flights |
| Mumbai to Bagdogra | 4 to 6 hours with a stop | For Sikkim and Darjeeling |
| Mumbai to Dibrugarh | 5 to 7 hours with a stop | For eastern Arunachal |
| Mumbai to Dimapur | 5 to 7 hours with a stop | For Nagaland and Hornbill |
Guwahati's new terminal opened recently, and the airport is about 20 km from the city. Most trips start with a drive straight from the airport.
What to choose for your time
| Days | Best plan |
|---|---|
| 5 to 6 days | Meghalaya: Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki |
| 7 days | Meghalaya and Kaziranga |
| 7 to 8 days | Tawang via Dirang |
| 8 to 10 days | Meghalaya, Kaziranga and Majuli, or Sikkim with North Sikkim |
| 10 days or more | Two or three states, such as our Best of Northeast route |
A 7-day plan from Mumbai
- Day 1: morning flight to Guwahati, drive to Shillong (3 to 4 hours).
- Day 2: Shillong. Ward's Lake, Shillong Peak and a cafe evening in Laitumkhrah.
- Day 3: Cherrapunji. Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave and the Seven Sisters Falls.
- Day 4: Nongriat and the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, or Dawki and Mawlynnong.
- Day 5: Shillong to Kaziranga (5 to 6 hours).
- Day 6: Kaziranga jeep safari in the morning, tea estate in the afternoon.
- Day 7: drive to Guwahati airport for an afternoon flight home.
If you have a day more, add a night in Guwahati for Kamakhya Temple and a Brahmaputra sunset cruise.
How much does it cost?
These are our planning estimates per person for a 7-day trip, sharing a room, in 2026:
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Return flight Mumbai-Guwahati | Rs 10,000 to 16,000 | Rs 10,000 to 16,000 |
| Hotels, 6 nights | Rs 9,000 to 15,000 | Rs 18,000 to 30,000 |
| Car with driver, shared | Rs 8,000 to 12,000 | Rs 10,000 to 15,000 |
| Food, entry fees, safari | Rs 6,000 to 9,000 | Rs 9,000 to 14,000 |
Flight fares are the biggest variable. Book early for holiday weeks, and compare fares on weekdays.
When to go
- October and November: clear skies, cherry blossoms in Shillong in November, Kaziranga reopens.
- December to February: cool and dry. Snow in Tawang and Sikkim. Hornbill Festival from 1 to 10 December.
- March and April: pleasant, rhododendrons in the hills.
- June to September: monsoon. Beautiful in Meghalaya but with road delays. Kaziranga is closed. Read is Meghalaya worth it in monsoon.
Tips for travellers from Mumbai
- It is colder than you expect. Shillong nights drop to single digits from November to February, and Tawang goes below zero. Pack a proper jacket.
- Days are short. The sun sets around 4:30 to 5 pm in winter, more than an hour earlier than in Mumbai.
- Permits: Arunachal, Nagaland and Mizoram need an Inner Line Permit. Meghalaya, Assam and Sikkim (for Indians) do not. See our permit guide.
- Cash: carry some. Card and UPI work in towns, but not always in villages.
Plan your trip with Breeziah
These trips start and end in Guwahati, so they fit a direct flight from Mumbai. Popular choices for a week are the Meghalaya with Kaziranga tour and the Majestic Tawang Himalayan Escape. With 10 days, see the Best of Northeast India trip.
Yes. Several direct flights a day connect Mumbai and Guwahati, taking about 3 hours 10 minutes.
At least 6 days for one state, such as Meghalaya. With 8 to 10 days you can combine two states, such as Meghalaya and Kaziranga, or add Tawang.
Meghalaya with Kaziranga in 7 days is the most popular first trip. It covers Shillong, Cherrapunji, the root bridges or Dawki, and a rhino safari.
As a rough estimate, about Rs 33,000 to 52,000 per person on a budget, or Rs 47,000 to 75,000 mid-range for 7 days, including flights.
October to April for most of the region. Choose November for Shillong's cherry blossoms, December for the Hornbill Festival, and January for snow in Tawang.