Guwahati Airport to City Centre — What You Actually Need to Know

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) sits about 25 km southwest of Guwahati city centre. There is no metro or rail link. The prepaid taxi counter — in the arrival belt area and again at the arrival exit gate — sells you a fixed fare before you get in the car, which is the simplest way to avoid negotiation. App cabs (Ola, Uber) work and quote you before you confirm. The one published fare on this route is the Assam State Transport Corporation's AC airport bus, which runs to Paltan Bazar via Kamakhya and Guwahati Railway Station for INR 100 per journey; the first bus is at 08:00 and the last leaves the airport at 21:30. Guwahati is the gateway to all of Northeast India, so many travellers continue onward to Shillong, Kaziranga, or Tezpur from here — and those are multi-hour road journeys worth arranging in advance.

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.

GAU has a single terminal handling both domestic and international flights. After collecting luggage, you exit into the arrivals hall where you will find the prepaid taxi counter immediately outside the exit doors.

The airport is modern and well-maintained but not large. Outside, the pickup area can feel chaotic during peak hours with taxi touts approaching. Stick to the prepaid counter or use a ride-hailing app to avoid negotiation.

Guwahati traffic is heavy, especially during office hours (09:00-11:00 and 17:00-20:00). The 25 km ride can stretch to 90 minutes in bad traffic. Account for this if you have onward travel planned.

The prepaid taxi is the most reliable option. You pay at the counter, receive a slip, and get assigned a car. No haggling, no surprises. AC vehicles cost more — worth it from April to September when temperatures exceed 35C. The fare for your destination is on the board at the counter.

App cabs are usually cheapest during off-peak hours, but surge pricing during rain or rush hour can push the fare above the fixed prepaid rate. The app shows you the number before you confirm — compare it against the counter.

Auto-rickshaws run on the meter and, per the airport, carry a fare chart in the vehicle. For a 25 km run with luggage they are not a comfortable choice.

The ASTC bus is the only option here with a published fare: INR 100 per journey on the Assam State Transport Corporation's AC airport service. It is genuinely cheap, but ASTC's own timetable allows roughly 1.5-2.5 hours for the Paltan Bazar run and the last departure from the airport is 21:30 — so it is not a late-arrival option, and it is not practical with much luggage.

Pre-booked transfers make the most sense for families, groups, or anyone continuing to Shillong, Kaziranga, or Tezpur — where a professional driver and a price fixed in advance matter on multi-hour journeys.

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.

Honest answer: apart from the bus, the fares on this route are not published anywhere you can check before you fly — so this page will not invent a table of them.

The one published fare is the ASTC AC airport bus at INR 100 per journey to Paltan Bazar via Kamakhya and Guwahati Railway Station (Assam State Transport Corporation, first bus 08:00, last from the airport 21:30).

Everything else you price on arrival, and all three sources are right in front of you:

• the prepaid taxi counter posts its fare by destination — that board is authoritative and fixed, and it is where to look first
• Ola and Uber quote in the app before you confirm
• auto-rickshaws are metered and carry a fare chart
• a pre-booked transfer is fixed at the moment you book, before you fly

What does not change is the shape of the journey. The city centre, Paltan Bazar and the railway station are about 24-25 km from the airport, and Kamakhya Temple is closer at roughly 18 km. Beyond Guwahati the distances get serious: Shillong ~100 km (3-4 hours), Tezpur ~180 km (about 4 hours), Kaziranga ~230 km (4-5 hours), Jorhat ~300 km (5-6 hours). Those are long road journeys on Northeast India's highways, priced accordingly, and a fixed price agreed in advance is worth far more on them than on a 25 km city run.

Prices move with fuel costs and season. Monsoon (June-September) can bring road conditions and diversions that affect both time and cost.

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.

Guwahati Airport receives domestic flights until around midnight. Prepaid taxis operate for all arriving flights, so you will not be stranded. App cabs are available but with fewer drivers and possible surge pricing. The ASTC bus is not an option late — its last departure from the airport is 21:30.

The road to the city is well-lit for most of the route. Late-night traffic is minimal, cutting the journey to about 30-40 minutes. The prepaid counter's posted fare does not change with the hour.

Avoid taking unregistered vehicles at night. Stick to the prepaid counter or a pre-booked transfer.

The prepaid taxi fleet includes sedans (Dzire, Etios) and SUVs (Innova, Ertiga). A standard sedan fits 3 passengers with 2 large bags. For families with more luggage, request an SUV at the counter — it costs more than a sedan, and the counter will tell you the fare before you pay.

Child seats are not available in Indian taxis or app cabs. Book a private transfer and specifically request one, or bring your own portable seat.

For families heading to Shillong or Kaziranga directly from the airport, a pre-booked SUV transfer is strongly recommended. The mountain roads to Shillong are winding, and the Kaziranga highway can be rough.

Prepaid taxi: Pay at the counter outside arrivals, then walk to the taxi queue where a driver is assigned to you.

App cab: Walk to the designated ride-hailing pickup zone, clearly marked outside the terminal.

Auto-rickshaw: Available along the road just outside the airport exit. No formal queue.

Pre-booked transfer: Driver waits inside the arrivals hall holding a name board. Smoothest option for zero hassle after a long flight.

ASTC bus: Bus stop is on the main road outside the airport compound.

Solo traveller, budget: App cab or auto-rickshaw to the city.

Solo or couple, comfort: Prepaid taxi — no negotiation, fair price.

Family with kids: Pre-booked SUV transfer with child seat.

Group of 4+: Pre-booked minivan or SUV.

Late night: Prepaid taxi — always available for arriving flights.

Heading to Shillong: Pre-booked transfer (3-4 hour mountain drive).

Heading to Kaziranga: Pre-booked transfer (4-5 hours on the highway).

First time in India: Prepaid taxi or pre-booked transfer to avoid hassle.