Key hubs
Imphal airport and railway station
- Airport
- Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (IMF, formerly Tulihal), about 7 km south of the city centre; usually 20-30 minutes by road
- Railway station
- No passenger station operates in Imphal yet; the Jiribam-Imphal line is under construction (Imphal station, code IMPAL, is planned). Nearest working railheads are Jiribam (JRBM) and Dimapur (DMV)
- Getting around
- Hire a car with driver or use local taxis and autos; the valley is flat, but Loktak, Moirang and Bishnupur are best done by car
How to reach Imphal by air
Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (IMF, formerly Tulihal) lies about 7 km south of the city centre, usually 20-30 minutes by road. It has regular connections to Guwahati and Kolkata and other Indian cities; check current schedules with the airlines.
How to reach Imphal by train
Imphal has no passenger railway station yet; Imphal station (code IMPAL) is under construction on the Jiribam-Imphal line. The nearest working railheads are Jiribam (JRBM), reached by a road journey of roughly 220-250 km, and Dimapur (DMV) in Nagaland, about 210-220 km by road.
How to reach Imphal by road
NH2 links Imphal to Kohima and Dimapur, and NH37 connects Imphal with Silchar in Assam. Both are long mountain drives that depend on weather and conditions; check the current road status and advisories before travelling.
Getting around Imphal
Local taxis, autos and e-rickshaws work for short city hops; agree the fare in advance. For Loktak, Moirang, Keibul Lamjao and Bishnupur, a hired car with driver is the most comfortable option.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Imphal
- Imphal's valley floor is flat, so the city is easier on knees than hill towns, but allow for short taxi rides rather than long walks between sights.
- Kangla Fort has a large area with paths that are mostly level; visit in the morning and carry water, as there is little shade in parts.
- Loktak and Keibul Lamjao involve a long road journey and small boats. Choose calm weather, wear a life jacket and ask for a boat with seating and a canopy.
- Carry regular medicines and a basic first-aid kit; hospital care is concentrated in Imphal, so plan remote days with that in mind.
- 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.