Imphal is remote by Indian standards, but getting there is straightforward if you plan ahead.
By air: Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (IMF) has daily flights to Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati on carriers including IndiGo and Air India. Flying via Guwahati is the most common route and the quickest way to reach the city.
By rail: The nearest major railway station is Dimapur in Nagaland, about 215 kilometres and six to seven hours by road. From Dimapur, buses and shared taxis run to Imphal daily. A railway extension to Imphal is under construction as part of the Jiribam-Imphal line.
By road: National Highway 2 (formerly NH-39) connects Imphal to Kohima (137 km), Dimapur (215 km), and Guwahati (579 km). State transport buses and private operators run daily services. The roads through the hills are scenic but slow, with sharp bends and occasional landslides during the monsoon.