Understanding Aizawl's Terrain
Aizawl is built along a mountain ridge, and this single fact shapes almost every decision a visitor makes about getting around. Roads generally run parallel to the mountainside rather than up and down it, so travelling vertically between the ridge top and the slopes below is often faster on foot than by vehicle. Because of the steep inclines, even a short horizontal trip can be expensive to drive, and this is reflected in what you pay for buses and taxis.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Aizawl has no metro or tram network, and no railway station within the city itself. The nearest rail access is at Sairang, which is served by a Rajdhani Express train from Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal) as well as two express trains from Guwahati and Kolkata. If you arrive by train, you will still need road transport to complete the journey into Aizawl.
Buses and Public Transport
Numerous bus routes connect Aizawl's various localities, and most of them run through the town centre — roughly north to south via Dawrpui, and south to north via Civil Hospital. Fares vary by route, so the practical approach is simply to ask the conductor. As a rough guide, a relatively short trip costs only a few rupees.
For intercity travel, buses run between all the capital cities of the Northeast states, with Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar being the main routes. Mizoram State Transport lists services throughout the state and to Silchar, though their schedule is always subject to change. Network Travels operates luxury buses from Guwahati. The new bus terminal is located in the Thuampui suburb; frequent city buses connect it to the centre, but the trip can take up to an hour, and a taxi will cost ₹200 and up.
One important limitation for air travellers: no buses operate between the airport and the city.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful in Aizawl and readily available. Rates are extremely high compared to the rest of India. Although official published rates exist, in practice no taxi runs by them — drivers argue that a kilometre uphill costs more to run than downhill, and inclines of 30% or more are common. As a rough guide, a relatively short trip costs around ₹50, and a taxi to or from the airport costs around ₹800 to or from the central areas. Be aware that the price can rise if petrol prices go up or if a landslide blocks the main road and forces a longer alternate route.
Sure Taxis offers a service that finds taxis, negotiates rates on your behalf and dispatches them to your location, at no charge to you. They also offer rental cars with a driver, such as Altos, Boleros and Scorpios. Their numbers are 0389 232 2833 and 0389 232 1494.
Getting Around on Foot
Walking is genuinely useful in Aizawl, but in a specific way: because roads follow the contour of the ridge, footpaths that cut vertically up or down the slope are often the fastest way to cover ground that would be a long detour by road. Plan on using footpaths for vertical movement and vehicles for horizontal movement along the ridge.
Sumos and Rental Cars
Sumos are ten-seat SUVs that provide both intra- and inter-state transportation. They depart from various parts of the city depending on the destination — for example, the Guwahati–Silchar route starts in the Zarkawt area. Rental cars with a driver are also available through Sure Taxis.
Getting from Lengpui Airport into the City
Lengpui Airport (AJL) offers flights from New Delhi, Guwahati, Imphal, Kolkata and Silchar. There is no bus service between the airport and the city, so your options are a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer. A taxi to or from the central areas of Aizawl costs around ₹800, though the fare is liable to increase if fuel prices rise or if a landslide blocks the main road and requires a longer alternate route. Given the absence of public transport on this route, arranging a taxi in advance through a service such as Sure Taxis is a sensible option.