How to Reach Aizawl by Train: Sairang Station, Trains and ILP Guide

Yes, you can now reach Aizawl by train. Since the Bairabi to Sairang railway line opened on 13 September 2025, direct trains from Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi run to Sairang station, about 20 km from Aizawl. From Sairang, a taxi or shared sumo gets you into the city in roughly 45 minutes to an hour.

For decades, Mizoram was the hardest Northeast state to reach without flying. The new line changed that almost overnight, and the trains are running full. This guide covers every train to Sairang, how to book, the permit you need, and how to get from the station into Aizawl.

Key takeaways

• Sairang, near Aizawl, is Mizoram's new railhead. It is the end of the line for trains from Guwahati, Kolkata and Delhi.
• The Guwahati to Sairang Express runs daily and overnight, which makes it the easiest train for most travellers.
• Trains are in heavy demand. The Delhi Rajdhani averaged more than 145% occupancy in its first year, so book as early as the 60-day window allows.
• Indian visitors need a Mizoram Inner Line Permit (ILP). You can apply online or get a temporary permit on arrival at Sairang station.
• Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit arranged in advance.

The Bairabi to Sairang line: what changed

Before September 2025, the nearest railhead to Aizawl was Bairabi on the Assam border, a six to seven hour drive from the capital. The new 51.38 km line extends the railway from Bairabi through Hortoki, Kawnpui and Mualkhang to Sairang, putting Aizawl on India's rail map for the first time.

It is one of the most complex lines Indian Railways has built. The route crosses the Mizo hills through 45 tunnels and 142 bridges, and its tallest bridge pier near Sairang rises about 104 metres, higher than Delhi's Qutub Minar.

Travellers have taken to it fast. The line carried more than 15 lakh passengers in its first year, and Sairang station alone handled over 5.5 lakh passenger movements, according to Pratidin Time. In February 2026 the Bharat Gaurav tourist train on its North East Discovery circuit reached Sairang for the first time.

Trains to Sairang

Three long-distance trains serve Sairang, plus a passenger service from Silchar.

Timings and frequencies can change, so confirm on the IRCTC website or the NTES app before you plan around a train.

Which train should you take?

For most travellers, the answer is fly to Guwahati and take the overnight Guwahati to Sairang Express. It runs every day, leaves Guwahati in the evening and reaches Sairang the next morning, so you save a hotel night and arrive with a full day ahead.

The morning arrival has another advantage. The final stretch from Bairabi to Sairang, with its tunnels and high bridges, runs in daylight, so keep your window seat for the last hour.

The Kolkata and Delhi trains suit travellers who prefer rail all the way, or who want to avoid flight costs in peak season. Both are long journeys, so book a berth rather than a seat.

How to book tickets

• Book early. In the line's first year, the Delhi Rajdhani averaged more than 145% occupancy, the Kolkata train more than 140% and the Guwahati train above 110%. Book as soon as the 60-day advance reservation window opens.
• Use Tatkal as a backup. Tatkal tickets open one day before travel, but they sell out in minutes on busy routes.
• Search the full route. If Sairang shows a long waitlist, check availability from intermediate stations such as Silchar, or split your journey.
• Think about festival dates. Christmas and New Year are Mizoram's biggest holidays, and trains fill well in advance.

Permits: the Mizoram ILP at Sairang

Indian citizens who are not residents of Mizoram need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the state. There are two ways to get one:

1. Online in advance through the official Mizoram ILP portal. This is the smoothest option, especially in peak season.
2. On arrival at Sairang station, where the Mizoram government runs an ILP counter that issues temporary permits. The counter is busy: officials reported more than 22,500 ILPs issued there in the first four months after the line opened.

Carry a government photo ID and a passport-size photo either way. If you arrive at Lengpui Airport instead, temporary permits are available there too.

Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Mizoram. The requirement was reimposed in December 2024 and the permit must be arranged before you travel. Our Northeast India permits guide explains the rules for every state if Mizoram is part of a longer trip.

Getting from Sairang station to Aizawl

Sairang is about 20 km from central Aizawl, and the drive takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and where you are staying.

Outside the station you will find:

• Private taxis, the most comfortable option with luggage.
• Shared sumos (jeeps), cheaper and frequent when trains arrive.
• Buses towards Aizawl.

Taxis are in demand when a full train pulls in. If you are arriving with family or lots of luggage, pre-book a cab or ask your hotel to arrange a pickup.

Train vs flight vs road to Aizawl

Flights are fastest but fares rise sharply in peak season. The train is usually the best value, and it is now the most scenic way to arrive.

What to do in Aizawl and around

Aizawl is built along steep ridges at about 1,100 metres, and much of its charm is in simply walking its hillside lanes. Visitors often notice how orderly the traffic is, with little honking and patient queues.

• Durtlang Hills for views across the city and valleys.
• Solomon's Temple, a large white church and one of Aizawl's landmarks.
• Mizoram State Museum for Mizo history, costume and crafts.
• Bara Bazar for local produce, textiles and street food.
• Reiek, about 30 km away, for a short hike and wide views over the hills.

With more time, head to Tam Dil lake, Vantawng Falls near Thenzawl, or Champhai near the Myanmar border. Our Aizawl destination page and Mizoram travel guide have more ideas.

Best time to visit Mizoram

October to March is the best time, with cool, dry weather and clear views. December is festive, as Christmas is the biggest celebration of the year in largely Christian Mizoram. March brings Chapchar Kut, the state's best-known spring festival.

The monsoon, from June to September, brings heavy rain and occasional landslides on hill roads. Train services are less affected than roads, but check for disruptions before you travel.

Practical tips for Mizoram

• Plan around Sundays. Most shops and many restaurants close on Sunday, which is kept as a day of rest.
• Carry cash. UPI works in Aizawl, but smaller towns and taxis may prefer cash.
• Keep your ILP handy. Hotels note your permit details at check-in.
• Dress modestly when visiting churches and villages.

Plan your Mizoram trip

The new railway makes Mizoram an easy addition to a Northeast itinerary. You can pair it with Guwahati and Meghalaya, or with Tripura and southern Assam. If you want the train tickets, ILP, hotel and sightseeing arranged in one plan, ask Breeziah to build your Mizoram itinerary.