Guwahati

Guwahati is Assam's largest city, set on the Brahmaputra and the main entry point for trips into Northeast India.

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Guwahati is the largest city in Assam, the Northeast Indian state, and the region's main air gateway. It lies on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, and the river shapes its streets and daily movement. Most visitors come for Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill, one of the most important Shakti shrines in India, and for views over the river. Buses and trains link the city to Kaziranga National Park and to Shillong in neighboring Meghalaya.

Guwahati works best as a stop at the start or end of a trip through Assam or the wider Northeast, before or after wildlife parks, tea estates or hill towns. The cooler, drier months from October to April suit sightseeing and onward travel. Heavy rain from June to September can slow road journeys across the state, so check conditions before you set a route. Allow extra time for traffic and bridges on the way out.

Guwahati in five

Visit Kamakhya Temple earlyThe hilltop Shakti temple draws long queues, especially at weekends and festivals. Go at opening, dress modestly, and expect limited photography. The June Ambubachi Mela closes the sanctum for several days.
Take a river ferry to UmanandaA short ferry from the city waterfront reaches a small island temple in the Brahmaputra. Go in the late afternoon for soft light and the river breeze.
Use Guwahati to reach KazirangaKaziranga National Park, famous for one-horned rhinoceros, is roughly 4 to 5 hours by road to the east. The park is normally open from November to April, so time your trip to the dry season.
Add Shillong and CherrapunjiMeghalaya's capital is about 3 hours by road, with waterfalls, living-root bridges and a cool climate. Hire a driver or take shared taxis.
Check permits for beyond AssamAssam and Meghalaya are open to most visitors, but Arunachal Pradesh and some other Northeast states need separate permits for foreigners. Confirm before you book.Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri

Things to do in Guwahati

See all attractions in Guwahati

Temple · GuwahatiUmananda Temple

Garden · GuwahatiRadhika Prashanti Udyan

Park · GuwahatiNehru ParkThe park is closed on Thursdays and otherwise open from morning to evening, so plan around that.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to GuwahatiPut the places you like in Guwahati on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (GAU), about 20 km from the center
Getting there: Flights from Kolkata and Delhi; overnight trains from Siliguri and Kolkata
Getting around: App cabs, autos and ferries across the river
Best base: Paltan Bazaar or near the railway station
Time needed: 1–2 days; 4–5 with Kaziranga and Shillong

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Poor

JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Cool, dry
FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Dry, mild
MarchClear9 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Warm, dry
AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Humid, rain
MayRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Humid, rain
JuneRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Monsoon
JulyRain30 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Monsoon
AugustRain28 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Monsoon
SeptemberRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low25°Rain, humid
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Warm, clear
NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low18°Dry, Kaziranga
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Dry, cool

Average daily high and low in Guwahati, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Guwahati

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 25°
Humidity: 87%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 20%

Guwahati

04:09 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today31°24°20%Tuesday: Clear. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 20%.
Wed31°22°35%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 35%.
Thu32°23°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri32°22°0%Friday: Clear. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat32°23°0%Saturday: Clear. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun32°21°0%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.

Updated 02:08 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuaryabout 1.5 hours by roadA small park with a dense one-horned rhino population.
Shillongabout 3 hours by roadA cool hill capital and base for Meghalaya's waterfalls.
Kaziranga National Parkabout 4–5 hours by roadThe best-known rhino reserve, normally open from November to April.

Before you go to Guwahati

Hotels near the river and stationPractical stays for early departuresCheck availability

Kaziranga safari packageTransport, jeep safari and guideCompare day trips

eSIM for the NortheastSignal gaps on the road to the parksRead the guide

Cover for monsoon and road delaysLandslides, floods, cancelled flightsRead the guide

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Rules for Guwahati, checked

Foreign nationals need an Indian visa or e-Visa before arrival; check your eligibility and apply only on the official portal.Source
Remove your shoes before entering temples and mosques, and ask before taking photographs inside shrines such as Kamakhya.
Dial 112 for police, fire or ambulance; it works across India, including Assam.

Plan around Guwahati

Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri

Rail gateway between Darjeeling and the Northeast

Read the guide Darjeeling

Tea hills and Kangchenjunga to the west

Read the guide Sikkim

Himalayan monasteries north of the plains

Read the guide Kolkata

The main flight and rail link to the Northeast

Read the guide All of India

Regions, seasons and routes

Read the guide India e-Visa

Check entry and permit rules before flying to Guwahati

Read the guide

Guwahati FAQ

How many days do you need in Guwahati?

One day covers Kamakhya Temple, the river ferry and a market walk. Treat it as a gateway: add two nights for Kaziranga and two more for Shillong and Cherrapunji.

Is Guwahati worth visiting?

Yes as a base and for Kamakhya and the Brahmaputra, but it is a busy city, not a resort. Most visitors spend one night and spend longer in the parks and hills.

When is the best time to visit Guwahati and Kaziranga?

November to March, when it is dry and cooler. Kaziranga is normally open from November to April. The monsoon from June to September floods roads and closes the park.

Do foreigners need a permit for Assam?

Not for Assam or Meghalaya as a general rule, but Arunachal Pradesh and some other Northeast areas need separate permits. Check the current requirements for your passport before you travel.

How do you get from Guwahati to Kaziranga?

By road in 4 to 5 hours, by hired car or shared taxi. Safari bookings are separate, so confirm entry and your guide before you drive east.