Majuli, on the Brahmaputra in Assam, is one of the largest river islands in the world and the home of the Vaishnav satras, the old monasteries.
You reach it by ferry across the great river from Nimati Ghat, near Jorhat. The government ferry is cheap and you buy the ticket at the ghat, not online. Boats run through the day and fill up, so reach early. The government is building a road bridge, which will change the journey in time.
How you reach Majuli, in plain words
You drive to Nimati Ghat, about a half hour from Jorhat town, and take the ferry across the Brahmaputra to Kamalabari ghat on Majuli. The crossing takes about an hour and is a beautiful ride across the wide, braided river, with sandbars and birds. From Kamalabari you go on by road to the satras and villages. There is no airport on Majuli, so the ferry is the way in for most travellers.
The government ferry
The government ferry is the main and cheapest way across. You buy your ticket at the ghat on the day, because they do not sell it online. The boats carry people, and some carry vehicles too. They run to a set timetable but can be delayed by the river and the weather, so keep your plans a little loose. Reach the ghat early, because the boats fill and the good sailings go first.
Taking a vehicle
Some ferries carry cars and motorbikes across, on a first come basis, and the space is limited. If you want your own vehicle on Majuli, reach the ghat well ahead, join the vehicle line early, and be ready to wait for a boat with room. Many travellers instead leave the car at Jorhat and hire local transport on Majuli, which is simpler.
Timings
The ferry runs several times a day, from the morning to the late afternoon, and it does not run at night. The exact times change with the season and the river level, so check the current timetable at the ghat or with your host. Plan to cross in daylight, and do not aim for the last boat, in case it is delayed or full.
The bridge that is coming
The government is building a road bridge across the Brahmaputra to Majuli, and when it opens you will drive straight across, without the ferry wait. Until then, the ferry is the way. If you travel after the bridge opens, check whether the ferry still runs and which route is easier. [Confirm the current bridge and ferry position before you travel. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
Season, so you plan the right months
Majuli is best in the cooler, drier months, from about October to March, when the weather is kind and the satra festivals bring music and dance. In the monsoon the Brahmaputra rises and floods parts of the island, and the high water can disturb the ferries, so the winter window is the easy time to come.
Common mistakes to avoid
- The biggest mistake is reaching the ghat late and missing the boat, because they fill and stop at night. The next is expecting to book the ferry online, when you buy the ticket at the ghat. Do not count on getting your car across quickly, because vehicle space is limited. Do not plan a monsoon crossing without a flexible plan, when the river is high.
Questions people ask
How do I get to Majuli?
By ferry across the Brahmaputra from Nimati Ghat near Jorhat, to Kamalabari ghat on Majuli.
Can I book the Majuli ferry online?
No. You buy the government ferry ticket at the ghat on the day.
Can I take my car across?
Some ferries carry vehicles, on a first come basis, and the space runs out, so reach early or leave the car at Jorhat.
How long is the crossing?
About an hour across the wide river, and boats run in daylight only.
Is a bridge coming?
Yes, a road bridge is being built, which will change the journey when it opens.