Key hubs
Jowai airport and railway station
- Airport
- Shillong Airport (SHL) at Umroi has limited flights; Guwahati (GAU) is the main gateway, roughly 160 km away by road (about 4.5 to 5 hours, traffic dependent)
- Railway station
- No station in Jowai; the nearest is Guwahati (GHY), about 160 km away
- Getting around
- Shared taxis run between Shillong and Jowai on the highway; a hired car and driver is best for waterfalls, Nartiang and other sights
How to reach Jowai by air
Shillong Airport (SHL) at Umroi has limited flights. Guwahati (GAU) is the main gateway, about 160 km from Jowai, roughly 4.5 to 5 hours by road depending on traffic.
How to reach Jowai by train
There is no railway station in Jowai. The nearest is Guwahati (GHY), about 160 km away; continue by road via Shillong.
How to reach Jowai by road
Jowai lies on the national highway about 64 km east of Shillong, with shared taxis and buses on that route. The road continues towards Barak valley and branches to Dawki.
Getting around Jowai
Within town, autos and local taxis run short trips; for Nartiang, the waterfalls and Ialong Park, hire a car and driver for the day.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Jowai
- Keep a car and driver for the whole day. Shared taxis are fine between towns but do not suit stops at sights.
- Choose Thadlaskein Lake, the church, Syntu Ksiar and Ialong Park for easy outings; the falls need steps and care.
- Carry warm layers from November to February: nights are cold at this altitude.
- Avoid long drives in heavy monsoon, when slips can delay roads.
- Facilities at sights are basic, so carry water, a hat, any medicines and tissues.
- Ask your hotel to check road conditions before the Nartiang and Krang Suri trips.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.