Guwahati Airport is about 25 km from the city centre. Transport is affordable by international standards — but with one exception, the fares are not published anywhere you can check in advance, so this page tells you where each number actually comes from rather than inventing a table.
The one published fare
The Assam State Transport Corporation runs an AC bus between the airport and Paltan Bazar via Kamakhya and Guwahati Railway Station for INR 100 per journey. The first bus is at 08:00; the last leaves the airport at 21:30. ASTC's own timetable allows roughly 1.5-2.5 hours for the run.
That is the cheapest way into Guwahati by a wide margin. It is also slow, does not run late, and is not practical with much luggage.
Where every other price comes from
| Transport | How you get the price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid taxi | Posted on the counter's board; fixed before you travel | 45-60 min |
| App cab (Ola/Uber) | Quoted in the app before you confirm | 45-60 min |
| Auto-rickshaw | Metered; a fare chart is carried in every auto | 60-75 min |
| Pre-booked transfer | Fixed at the moment you book | 45-60 min |
| ASTC AC bus | INR 100 per journey (published) | ~90 min+ |
Fixed-price private transfer
GAU Guwahati City Center
From€42for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €55 per vehicle, about €14 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
All four of the unpublished ones are available to you at the moment you need them. The prepaid counter is in the arrival belt area and again at the arrival exit gate — check the board there first, since it is fixed and gives you a receipt.
What affects the price
Traffic is the biggest variable. During rush hours (09:00-11:00 and 17:00-20:00), the ride can take over an hour and app cab prices surge. The prepaid taxi counter sets a fixed rate regardless of traffic, which is exactly when that matters.
Monsoon season (June-September) can cause flooding and diversions, occasionally increasing journey times significantly. App cabs are usually cheapest during off-peak hours.
Longer distances from GAU
| Destination | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kamakhya Temple | 18 km | 30-45 min |
| Shillong | 100 km | 3-4 hrs |
| Tezpur | 180 km | 4 hrs |
| Kaziranga | 230 km | 4-5 hrs |
| Jorhat | 300 km | 5-6 hrs |
These are the distances, which do not rot. The fares do, and none of them are published — get a quote before you fly. For longer routes, a pre-booked transfer with a price fixed at booking is strongly recommended to avoid disputes on multi-hour journeys.
Hidden costs to watch for
- Toll charges: NH27 has toll plazas. Prepaid taxis usually include tolls; app cabs add them to the fare. Confirm which applies before you set off.
- Surge pricing: Ola and Uber rise during rain, late night, or festival periods — the app shows it before you confirm.
- AC vs non-AC: The prepaid counter charges more for AC vehicles. Worth it in summer when temperatures exceed 35C.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, but rounding up is appreciated.
Guwahati Airport does not publish a public taxi fare chart, so the price on the prepaid counter's board — or the quote in your app — is the number to go by. Ask before you pay.
When a private transfer from GAU is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Guwahati City Center is from €55, about €14 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
GAU → Guwahati City Center from €42Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.