Dimapur to Kohima: Taxi Fare, Shared Taxi and Drive Time for Hornbill 2026
Dimapur is where almost every Kohima trip starts. Here is how to cover the 74 km up to Kohima and Kisama, what it costs, and how Hornbill week changes it.
Dimapur has Nagaland's only working airport and its main railway station, so almost every trip to Kohima and the Hornbill Festival starts there. Kohima is about 74 km up the hill, and Kisama Heritage Village, where Hornbill is held, is about 12 km beyond it.
This guide covers the ways to make that climb, what they cost, and how Hornbill week changes things.
The short answer
| Option | Typical cost | Time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared taxi | ₹350–450 a seat | About 3 hours | Solo travellers with light bags |
| Reserved taxi | ₹2,500–3,500 for the car | About 2.5 to 3 hours | Families, luggage, late arrivals |
| State bus | Cheapest | 3 to 4 hours | Budget, daytime only |
These are typical market rates, not fixed fares, and they rise in Hornbill week. Confirm the price before you get in.
The road
The road climbs from the plains at Dimapur through Chümoukedima and up the hills to Kohima. Widening work has made it better than it was, but there are still slow, dusty stretches and some steep bends near the top. Allow three hours, more in heavy traffic or after rain.
We don't recommend driving it after dark. If your train or flight gets into Dimapur late in the afternoon, a night in Dimapur and an early start is the calmer plan.
Shared taxis
Shared taxis leave from the stand near Dimapur railway station and go when they are full. They drop you in central Kohima, not at your hotel or at Kisama. They are the cheapest way up and fine for one person with a backpack. With luggage, children or a group, a reserved car costs little more per head and saves the waiting.
Reserved taxis
A reserved car picks you up at the airport or the station, takes your bags, stops when you want and drops you at the door. It's the better choice if you land in the afternoon, because it leaves when you arrive instead of when the last seat fills.
Hornbill week: what changes
Hornbill runs from 1 to 10 December, and for those ten days the road is the busiest it gets all year.
- Shared taxis fill early and fares go up. Expect to wait at the station stand.
- Book a car ahead if you are arriving on the first weekend of December.
- Kohima to Kisama is 12 km, but festival traffic can turn it into an hour. Leave early for the morning events.
For dates, tickets and where to stay, see our Hornbill Festival guide.
Permits
Visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit, applied for online before you travel. It covers Dimapur, Kohima and Kisama. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. See our Northeast permit guide.
Going on from Kohima
Kohima is the base for the Dzukou Valley trek and for Khonoma, Nagaland's well-known green village, about 20 km away. A reserved car for the week is usually simpler than a new taxi each day.
Helpful Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Kohima from Dimapur?
About 74 km by road, which takes around three hours.
How much is a shared taxi from Dimapur to Kohima?
Typically ₹350–450 a seat, more in Hornbill week. Confirm the fare at the stand.
Is there a train to Kohima?
Not yet. The nearest railway station is Dimapur, and the rest of the way is by road.
Can I go straight from Dimapur to Kisama?
Yes. A reserved car can take you straight to Kisama, 12 km past Kohima. Shared taxis stop in Kohima, and you take a local taxi from there.
Do I need an ILP to land at Dimapur?
Yes, if you are coming from outside Nagaland. Apply online before you travel and carry a copy.
Plan This Journey
Turn this Kohima guide into a trip that fits your pace
If this guide is part of the kind of holiday you want, Breeziah can help shape the route, travel flow and stay style around your dates, comfort level and destination priorities.