Asia > India > Dimapur (DMU)
The Car or no Car advice for Dimapur can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Dimapur ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Dimapur ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Dimapur?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
✈️ Arriving in Dimapur
Dimapur Airport (DMU) is small but practical. Flights from Kolkata, Guwahati, and Delhi make it the natural starting point for exploring Nagaland. The airport sits only a short distance from the city, so taxis and autos are easy to find. There is no structured airport bus network, but transfers remain simple.
Dimapur is also the only city in Nagaland with a railway station, and this makes it the main hub for travellers arriving from Assam or further west.
🚶 Getting around Dimapur without a car
Dimapur is flat by Naga standards, which helps a lot. You can move around the central areas by:
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Auto-rickshaw
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Taxi
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Shared tempo vans
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Walking, for short distances
The city does not have major tourist landmarks. Most visitors spend a brief amount of time here before heading to Kohima, Dzükou Valley, Khonoma, or the wider hill region. Because of this, staying car-free inside Dimapur is easy.
🚗 When a rental car becomes useful
The situation changes once you leave Dimapur. Nagaland’s terrain is mountainous, roads are narrow, and travel times stretch quickly. Public transport exists, yet it can be slow, irregular, and crowded. Therefore, a rental car — or more realistically, a car with a driver — becomes the more sensible choice for:
🏞️ Kohima
The state capital sits about 70 km away, but the journey takes 2–3 hours due to winding mountain roads.
🥾 Dzükou Valley
This spectacular trek is one of Nagaland’s top attractions. You need transport to reach the trailheads at Viswema or Zakhama, and buses will not get you close enough.
🛕 Khonoma Village
A famous “green village,” deeply connected to Naga history. Reaching it without a private vehicle is difficult.
🌄 Scenic hill drives
Exploring villages like Kigwema, Tuophema, or Benreu works best with flexible transport. Distances are short, but travel times stretch because of bends, gradients, and roadworks.
Self-drive is allowed, but most travellers find the roads challenging. Hiring a driver is common, affordable by Indian standards, and much more relaxing.
🚌 What about public transport?
Public transport is available but limited:
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Shared sumos run between Dimapur and Kohima.
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Buses exist but are slow and often packed.
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Services to villages are irregular.
These options are fine for budget travellers, but they do not offer the flexibility needed for sightseeing, photography stops, or early-morning hikes.
Conclusion — Should you rent a car in Dimapur?
Should you rent a car in Dimapur? For exploring the city itself, you do not need one. Autos and taxis are more than enough. However, if your trip includes Kohima, Dzükou Valley, Khonoma, or any of Nagaland’s hill regions, a rental car — ideally with a driver — becomes extremely useful. The terrain is demanding, and having your own vehicle turns a slow journey into a comfortable adventure.
