How to Reach Tura, Meghalaya: A Complete Travel Guide
Understanding how to reach Tura is essential for anyone planning to visit this enchanting town in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. A place where mist-shrouded hills meet azure skies, where ancient tribal cultures thrive alongside modern aspirations, and where every turn in the road reveals a postcard-perfect vista.
However, reaching this hidden gem requires some planning and knowledge of the available transportation options. In this guide, we’ll explore the various ways to reach Tura. Whether you’re a budget backpacker or a luxury seeker, a time-crunched weekender or a solo traveller, we have got you covered.
1. How to Reach Tura by Air
While Tura doesn’t have an airport, reaching this hill station by air is still a viable and exciting option. Here’s how to reach Tura by air:
Your aerial journey begins at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam. This well-connected hub serves as the gateway to Northeast India, with regular flights from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, etc. As your plane descends, keep your eyes peeled for the magnificent Brahmaputra River snaking through the landscape below.
Once you’ve landed in Guwahati, you have two main options to complete your journey to Tura:
Pre-booked taxi:
For convenience and comfort, especially if you’re short on time, pre-arrange a taxi through your Tura hotel. It is a 220-kilometre journey that takes about 6-7 hours, offering stunning views of the changing landscape as you climb into the Garo Hills.
Shared sumo:
For a more authentic and budget-friendly experience, head to the Paltan Bazaar Sumo Stand in Guwahati. These shared SUVs leave for Tura as they fill up. It’s a bit more cramped, but you’ll rub shoulders with locals and maybe pick up some Garo phrases along the way.
Pro tip: Whichever option you choose, ask your driver to stop at Dudhnoi Bazaar. It’s the perfect spot to stretch your legs and sample some of the best aloo parathas in the Northeast.
2. How to Reach Tura by Train
If you’re wondering how to reach Tura by train, the nearest railway stations provide convenient options. Tura doesn’t have a railway station. But incorporating a train journey into your trip adds a touch of old-world charm to your adventure.
Your rail journey will take you to Guwahati Railway Station, a major hub connecting Northeast India with the rest of the country. Regular train services operate from cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai to Guwahati. This overnight train experience where you fall asleep in one state and wake up in another, is a quintessential part of any Indian travel.
Once you arrive in Guwahati, you have several options to complete your journey to Tura:
Pre-booked taxi:
Many hotels in Tura offer a pickup service from Guwahati railway station. This is the most comfortable option, especially after a long train journey.
Bus:
Head to the Guwahati ISBT to catch a bus to Tura. This is an economical choice and allows you to experience local transportation.
Shared sumo:
For the adventurous, head to the Paltan Bazaar area near the station, where shared sumos depart for Tura.
For a unique experience, consider breaking your journey in Goalpara, a small town halfway between Guwahati and Tura. Spend a night here to explore Assamese culture before catching a morning bus to Tura.
3. How to Reach Tura by Road
There’s something magical about a road trip to Tura. As you leave the plains of Assam and climb into the Garo Hills, it’s like entering another world. If you’re driving from Guwahati, take the NH17 towards Goalpara. It is like a ribbon of asphalt that unfurls through some of the most stunning landscapes in India. Then continue on the Tura-Paikan Road.
The journey spans approximately 220 kilometres and takes about 6-7 hours, depending on road conditions and stops. As you leave the Assam plains and climb into the Garo Hills, each bend in the road reveals new, jaw-dropping vistas.
For those relying on public transport, you have several options:
State buses:
The Meghalaya Transport Corporation operates daily bus services from Guwahati’s Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) to Tura. The journey takes about 8-9 hours and offers an economical way to travel.
Private operators:
Several private companies run both day and overnight bus services on this route, often providing more comfortable seating options.
Shared sumos:
These depart from various points in Guwahati, including the Paltan Bazaar area near the railway station, offering a local experience.
Don’t miss the viewpoint of Nokrek National Park, about 50 kilometres before Tura. It’s not officially marked, but locals can guide you to this spectacular panorama of the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve.
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