Getting Around Imphal
Imphal is the capital of Manipur and the main urban centre of the Imphal Valley, spread across the Imphal West and Imphal East districts. For a visitor, the practical reality is that the city has no rail-based public transport of its own, and getting around relies on a mix of shared minivans, tuk-tuks, taxis and walking. The sections below cover what exists and how to use it.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Imphal is not connected to India's railway network, and there is no metro or tram system in the city. A new railway line is under construction, but until it opens, rail travel to and from Imphal is not an option.
If you are arriving or leaving by train, the closest railway station for now is Jiribam, about 80 km west of the city. Alternatively, you can alight at Dimapur in Nagaland and continue by a roughly 7-hour bus ride. Dimapur is a major station and sees much more traffic than Jiribam, so it is often the more practical railhead for reaching Imphal.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Imphal is well connected with Manipur's neighbouring states by road, and there are many bus routes along those corridors. Daily bus services run to and from Kohima and Dimapur in Nagaland, and Guwahati in Assam.
Within the city, minivans take common routes around Imphal and out to neighbouring villages. They are the closest thing to a local bus network for a visitor, and they serve the routes that people actually use day to day.
- Kohima: One government bus leaves the main bus terminal in the morning, and seats often sell out. If you miss it, you can take a shared or private jeep to "Mao gate" at the state boundary (maybe around ₹80) and catch a second bus from Mao gate at around 11AM. If you miss that second bus too, you can get from Mao gate to Senapati, where more options are available.
- Mao: Shared tuk-tuks can also be taken from Mao gate directly to Imphal, but this would be very uncomfortable.
- Moreh: State buses to Imphal depart the bus yard/terminal in Moreh at 7AM, 1PM and 1:30PM. Note that the 6:30AM bus to Moreh usually departs at 7PM.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Tuk-tuks are common in Imphal and are the most straightforward way to make short trips around the city. A short trip should cost ₹10–20, though drivers frequently ask for ₹100, so it is worth agreeing on the fare before you set off.
Walkability
Imphal's central sights, including Kangla Palace (Kangla Fort) on the banks of the Imphal River, are within the built-up city, and the climate is moderate thanks to the valley's elevation and the surrounding hills. Treat walking as a way to cover individual sites and nearby streets rather than as a primary way to cross the city.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (IMF) is the city's airport and the second largest and third busiest international airport in North-Eastern India. It connects Imphal to Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Aizawl, Dimapur and Guwahati, and flights to Bangkok appear to all go via Kolkata.
Airlines serving the airport include:
- Air India: Aizawl, Delhi, Dimapur, Guwahati and Kolkata.
- Alliance Air: Dimapur and Guwahati.
- IndiGo: Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Shillong.
For the onward trip from the airport to your accommodation, plan on the same local options that serve the rest of Imphal — tuk-tuks and taxis — and agree on the fare in advance.
Practical Summary
- No trains, metro or trams in Imphal; the nearest railhead is Jiribam, with Dimapur a busier alternative reached by a long bus ride.
- Minivans cover common routes in the city and to neighbouring villages.
- Tuk-tuks are common for short trips; expect ₹10–20 but be ready for drivers to ask for ₹100.
- Interstate buses connect Imphal with Kohima, Dimapur and Guwahati, with specific departure patterns worth checking at the main bus terminal.
- Bir Tikendrajit International Airport links Imphal to major Indian cities and to Bangkok via Kolkata.