Cash, ATMs and UPI in Northeast India: Tawang, Meghalaya and Kaziranga (2026)
Does UPI work in Tawang and Cherrapunji? Where to find ATMs, when they run dry, and how much cash to carry for Arunachal, Meghalaya and Assam.
In Northeast India, UPI works in most towns, but you still need cash. Guwahati and Shillong are almost as cashless as any big Indian city. Once you're on the road to Tawang, out in Meghalaya's villages or at a Kaziranga range gate, payments often depend on whether both you and the shop have phone signal, and often one of you doesn't.
ATMs exist in every main town, including Tawang, Bomdila, Dirang, Cherrapunji and Kohora (Kaziranga), but they can run out of cash in peak season and on long weekends. The safe approach is to withdraw in Guwahati or Shillong and carry a cash buffer for the whole trip.
Arunachal Pradesh: Tawang, Bomdila, Dirang
The Tawang road is where cash matters most. The towns have ATMs, but there's a lot of road between them where signal is weak, so UPI is unreliable.
| Place | ATMs | UPI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhalukpong | A few | Usually works | Last easy stop on the Assam side |
| Bomdila | Several | Works in town | Good place to top up |
| Dirang | A few | Works in town | Can run out at weekends |
| Sela Pass and Jang | None you can rely on | Often fails, no signal | Carry cash for tea and snacks |
| Tawang | Several (SBI, Axis and others) | Works in town | Can run dry in peak weeks |
| Bum La, Madhuri Lake, Mago | None | Usually no signal | Cash only |
Pay the bigger costs, such as hotels and taxis, by bank transfer or UPI when you're in town with a good signal. Keep cash for everything on the road.
Read more: mobile network and internet in Arunachal Pradesh.
Meghalaya: Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki
Meghalaya is easier, because distances are shorter and you're rarely more than an hour from Shillong or Cherrapunji. But many of the experiences are run by villages, and village counters prefer cash.
- Shillong: plenty of ATMs and UPI almost everywhere.
- Cherrapunji (Sohra): ATMs in town. Most hotels and restaurants take UPI.
- Dawki and Shnongpdeng: boat rides, life jackets and parking are often paid in cash. Agree the price before you get in.
- Mawlynnong, the root bridges and waterfalls: small entry and parking fees, usually cash.
- Nongriat: homestays and snacks at the bottom of the trek. Weak signal, so carry cash.
See also: tourist scams in Meghalaya and how to avoid them.
Assam: Guwahati and Kaziranga
Guwahati is fully set up for cards and UPI, with ATMs everywhere, including the airport. It's the best place to withdraw cash for the rest of the trip.
Kaziranga: hotels and lodges around Kohora take cards and UPI, and safaris can usually be paid digitally through the hotel or an operator. Keep cash for tips for jeep drivers and guides, tea stalls on the highway and small handicraft stalls. Our Kaziranga safari guide covers safari costs.
How much cash should you carry?
This is a rough guide for one person, on top of what you've prepaid for hotels and transport.
| Trip | Cash to carry |
|---|---|
| Meghalaya, 4 to 5 days | Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 |
| Tawang, 6 to 7 days from Guwahati | Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 |
| Kaziranga, 2 to 3 days | Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 |
Split it between two people or two bags, and keep some in a zipped inner pocket.
Cards and paying your tour operator
Most tour operators in the region, including us, take bank transfers, UPI and payment links for the booking amount. On the road, paying by card is rare outside bigger hotels. If you're paying a driver for extra kilometres or a night halt at the end of the trip, settle it in town where you have signal, or carry the cash.
Tips
- Withdraw in the morning. ATMs in hill towns are usually refilled in the day and can be empty by evening.
- Use bank ATMs inside or next to a branch. They're refilled more reliably.
- Keep a small reserve that you don't touch, in case a road closure, such as snow on Sela or a landslide, adds a night.
- Foreign cards: most ATMs in Guwahati and Shillong accept Visa and Mastercard. Smaller towns may not. Withdraw in the cities.
Helpful Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an ATM in Tawang?
Yes. Tawang town has several ATMs, including SBI and Axis. They can run out of cash in peak season, so withdraw in Guwahati or Bomdila as well.
Does UPI work in Tawang?
In town, usually yes, when you and the shop both have signal. On Sela Pass, at Bum La and in remote villages, carry cash.
Does UPI work in Meghalaya?
Yes, in Shillong, Cherrapunji and most towns. Boat rides at Dawki, village entry fees and Nongriat homestays are often cash only.
How much cash should I carry for a Tawang trip?
Roughly Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000 per person for a 6 to 7 day trip from Guwahati, on top of prepaid hotels and transport.
Is there an ATM at Kaziranga?
Yes, there are ATMs along the highway at Kohora and nearby towns, but Guwahati is more reliable. Carry cash for tips and small shops.
Plan This Journey
Turn this Arunachal Pradesh guide into a trip that fits your pace
If this guide is part of the kind of holiday you want, Breeziah can help shape the route, travel flow and stay style around your dates, comfort level and destination priorities.
