Assam's largest city on the Brahmaputra, home to the Kamakhya shrine and the gateway to the Northeast.
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Guwahati suits pilgrims heading to Kamakhya and travellers passing through on their way to Kaziranga, Shillong or Arunachal. In two or three days you can see hilltop temples, take a ferry to a river-island shrine and learn about Assamese culture at the state museum and Kalakshetra.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
The Brahmaputra at GuwahatiKamakhya Temple on Nilachal hillView towards the Brahmaputra from Sarania hillsThe road up to Kamakhya Temple
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to April
The most comfortable months, with temperatures of roughly 12 to 28 degrees Celsius. Winter is also when migratory birds gather at Deepor Beel.
May to September
Hotter and more humid months.
Late June (Ambubachi Mela)
Kamakhya Temple closes to devotees for about three days during Ambubachi (23 to 25 June in 2026) and then draws very large crowds when it reopens.
Sights and activities
1
Kamakhya Temple
One of India's best-known Shakti shrines, on Nilachal hill. The present temple was rebuilt in 1565 by the Koch king Chilarai, and its inner chamber holds a spring-fed rock cleft worshipped as the goddess.
Distance
About 7 km from central Guwahati
Entry
Free general darshan; special darshan Rs 501 (book online)
Timings
8 am to 1 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:15 pm; closed for about three days during Ambubachi in late June
Long-distance buses arrive at the Guwahati ISBT. An Assam State Transport Corporation bus runs from the airport to Bharalumukh in about 40 minutes.
By train
Guwahati station (GHY) is in the city centre and is served by many daily trains. From Howrah, the Saraighat Express takes about 17.5 hours, and a Vande Bharat sleeper takes about 14 hours. From New Delhi, the Rajdhani Express takes about 27 hours.
By air
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) is about 20 km from the city, about 25 minutes by taxi. Kolkata flights take about 1 hour 10 minutes non-stop.
Where to base yourself
Stay around Pan Bazaar, Uzan Bazaar or Paltan Bazaar in the city centre, close to the riverfront ghats and the state museum.
Getting around
City buses cost about Rs 10 to 30 a ride, paid in cash to the conductor.
Shared autos run on fixed routes for about Rs 10 to 20 a seat.
Private autos are not metered; expect about Rs 30 to 60 for short hops and Rs 100 to 200 across town, agreed before you start.
Ola and Uber cabs cost about Rs 150 to 400 for a cross-city ride, more during surge.
A taxi with driver costs about Rs 1,500 to 3,000 for a half or full day.
Ferries and motor launches to Umananda leave from Umananda Ghat for a few tens of rupees.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Simple hotels and lodges around Paltan Bazaar, Ganeshguri and GS Road
₹800 to ₹1,500
Mid-range
Business hotels in the centre and on GS Road
₹1,500 to ₹4,000
Luxury
Upscale city hotels
₹5,000 to ₹8,000
Food
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about Rs 275, and a three-course meal for two at a mid-range place costs about Rs 1,100. Assamese thalis, momos, thukpa and chowmein are widely eaten.
Try these
Masor tenga (light, sour fish curry)
Khar (Assamese dish made with an alkaline extract)
Payash (rice pudding)
Thukpa (noodle soup)
Chowmein (very popular street and cafe food)
Assamese food leans on fish, so ask for vegetarian dishes.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹1,000
₹600
₹100 per person
Mid-range
₹2,500
₹1,200
₹800 per vehicle
Luxury
₹7,000
₹2,500
₹3,000 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permit requirement for Guwahati was found online. Carry photo ID for hotel check-in. Check permit rules separately if you continue to other northeastern states.
Safety
By day
Generally fine in the main sights and markets; watch your belongings in crowded places such as Fancy Bazaar and the Kamakhya queues.
At night
Stick to busy, lit areas and use app cabs late at night.
Solo women
Use registered app cabs and stay in central, well-reviewed hotels.
Roads
City traffic can be heavy, and the hill roads to Kamakhya are steep and crowded on festival days.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)
Practical
Mobile network
All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town.
ATMs and cash
ATMs are easy to find in town. Banks such as the State Bank of India have branches near the riverfront, including near Umananda Ghat.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town.
Medical
Hospitals are easy to find across the city. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. Ask your hotel for the nearest large hospital.
City-centre sights like the museum and Kalakshetra are easy. Kamakhya involves long queues and a hill approach, and the Umananda trip needs a boat ride and steps.
Children
The zoo, the planetarium and the Kalakshetra light show suit children. Kalakshetra has a children's park.
Wheelchair users
The hill temples and the Umananda ferry are likely to be difficult.
Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
Culture and responsible travel
Leave footwear at the designated stands on the approach road to Kamakhya; it cannot be carried past the main gate.
The Kamakhya complex and Nilachal hill are a no-tobacco zone.
Book Kamakhya special darshan only through the temple's official sites; the temple warns that it has not authorised other online puja platforms.
Dress modestly and follow the priests' instructions at temples.
Respect the birds at Deepor Beel by keeping noise down and not feeding wildlife.
What to pack
Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
Clothes that cover shoulders and knees, and socks for hot stone floors where shoes come off. Some temples do not allow phones or bags, so carry little
Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts
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