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Airports in Tripura help this small northeastern state stay connected with the rest of India. The region’s hilly landscape and few railway routes make air travel the quickest and most dependable way to get around. Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala (IXA) is the only one operating in the state. It’s managed by the Airports Authority of India and works as the main link between Tripura and cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, and Bengaluru. It has improved travel and attracted more tourists, making it easier for people in distant areas to reach essential services.
Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala (IXA)
Photo: Agartala updater / Wikimedia Commons
Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport is the main air gateway of Tripura and the second busiest airport in Northeast India after Guwahati. It sits about 12 kilometres northwest of Agartala and is named after Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, who first planned its construction in the 1940s.
The airport connects Tripura to major cities such as Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Imphal, and Bengaluru. Its new integrated terminal has changed the travel experience with modern design, aerobridges, in-line baggage systems, and spacious lounges. Built to handle nearly three million passengers each year, the terminal highlights the growing role of airports in Tripura in boosting tourism and trade. With its new runways, tighter security, and smoother facilities, Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport shows how much Tripura has grown and how closely it’s now linked with the rest of India.
Suggested Read: Best Things To Do In Agartala
Quick Details About Airports In Tripura
Location: Singerbhil, about 12 km northwest of Agartala city, Tripura
IATA Code: IXA
Altitude: Approximately 14 meters (46 feet) above sea level
Terminals: One integrated terminal building (domestic, with provisions for future international operations)
Airlines & Routes: IndiGo, Air India, and FlyBig operate regular flights to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Bengaluru, Imphal, and Shillong
Unique Feature: The new integrated terminal blends modern architecture with local Tripuri cultural motifs and is designed to handle 3 million passengers annually, making it one of the most advanced regional terminals in Northeast India
Facilities And Services At Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport
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At Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala, travellers get everything they need for a hassle-free and pleasant journey. The new terminal feels bright and modern, with small touches of Tripuri culture that give it a local charm. Inside, check-in and security move smoothly with automated baggage systems and quick scanning that help cut down wait times. Travellers can relax in the spacious seating areas or lounges with a few small shops selling essentials and local souvenirs.
A small medical room inside the airport is ready for emergencies, and the staff are always helpful to passengers who need a wheelchair or a bit of extra assistance. Clean restrooms and elevators make it easier for everyone to move around. Outside, parking is simple, with enough space for around 150 cars and taxis without the usual rush. You also get free Wi-Fi and charging points that actually work well, which makes waiting a bit easier.
Suggested Read: Discover Enchanting Places To Visit In Agartala For A Peaceful Retreat
Dining, Lounges, And Shopping
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Food and leisure choices at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport have gotten much better since the new terminal opened. There’s now a clean, comfortable food court and a few small cafés serving snacks, hot meals, and drinks. Travellers can try both regional favourites and popular national dishes, including some that capture Tripura’s local taste. Service is quick, the seating is tidy, and prices stay fair for people waiting between flights.
You’ll find a few small shops inside the terminal, and more are opening as the number of travellers keeps rising. Some sell books or last-minute travel stuff, while others display handmade crafts from around Tripura. Bamboo and cane pieces, simple jewellery, and woven fabrics are what most people end up buying. These stalls don’t just help passengers pass the time; they also give local artists a way to share their work with people from different parts of India.
Staying Connected And Exchanging Money
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Staying connected at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport is quite easy and reliable. The terminal has strong mobile coverage, and most major Indian carriers like Jio, Airtel, and Vi offer steady signal strength throughout the area. Free Wi-Fi is available across several parts of the terminal, letting travellers browse the internet, check emails, or chat with family while waiting for their flight. These small conveniences are especially helpful for people travelling for work or during long layovers. The airport also has a clear announcement system and digital flight information displays.
Money services at Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport are simple enough. You’ll find an ATM near the exit if you need quick cash for a cab or a bite to eat. Most cafés and small shops take cards and UPI payments, so you don’t really need to carry much cash unless you want to. Since the airport mainly handles domestic flights, full currency exchange counters are limited. Travellers who need foreign exchange usually take care of it in larger cities before flying to Agartala. They also show how airports in Tripura continue to improve, keeping up with modern travel standards.
Suggested Read: Amazing Things To Do In Tripura That You Can’t Miss On Your Visit
Cash Access And Banking Help
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At the airport, getting cash or using basic banking isn’t hard; there are a few options that cover what most travellers usually need when they come in or head out of Agartala. A few ATMs from major Indian banks are set up inside the terminal and near the exit, making it easy to pull out some money for taxis, parking, or small purchases. They usually accept both Indian and international cards without much issue. It’s a good idea to keep a few smaller notes, since vendors outside the airport don’t always have change. Digital payments are easy here.
The airport doesn’t yet have full banking offices or currency exchange counters, but it’s easy enough to find what you need nearby. Several major banks, SBI, Axis Bank, and HDFC Bank, have branches in Agartala, around a 15 – 20 minute drive from the terminal. If you need foreign currency or have to make a big withdrawal, those are your best options. Airport staff are usually helpful and can point you toward the nearest bank if you ask. For business travellers, digital payments and prepaid taxi counters make handling expenses simpler. As facilities expand and services get better, airports in Tripura are becoming more dependable for banking and cash needs.
Connectivity And Storage Services
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Getting around from Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport is much easier now than it used to be. Flights run regularly to cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Bengaluru, and Imphal, so reaching Tripura, or leaving it, doesn’t feel like a long haul anymore. For most travellers, these routes have made the state a lot more accessible. Inside, the updates help too. There’s a taxi counter and a few app cabs parked nearby, nothing fancy, but it does the job.
Storage options are pretty minimal at the airport, but they do the job if you’re only around for a few hours. There isn’t a locker room like you’d see at the bigger airports, though the baggage claim and lost-and-found desks are run well and usually quick to help. There’s talk of adding digital luggage lockers and tracking kiosks in the coming years as the number of travellers grows. All of these small improvements show how airports in Tripura are gradually getting better at making travel smoother, from check-in to the final pickup.
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Transport Options From Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport
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Getting from Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport to your hotel is usually simple, even if the choices are limited compared to bigger airports. Since this is Tripura’s only active civilian airport, most of the transport options line up right outside the terminal, so you can get moving fairly quickly after landing.
Taxis: Prepaid taxis are the most common and easiest option. You’ll find a small counter in the arrivals area where fares are fixed by the government, which keeps things straightforward. Prices depend on distance; short rides to central Agartala cost less, while trips to towns like Bishalgarh or Udaipur are a bit higher.
Hotel Transfers: Quite a few mid-range and upscale hotels in Agartala offer their own pickup service. Drivers wait near the exit with name cards, and though these rides cost a little more than regular taxis, they’re direct and comfortable, a nice option if you’re arriving late in the evening and don’t want to look around for transport.
Car Rentals: You won’t find any car-rental desks inside the terminal, but a few agencies in Agartala city, about a 20-minute drive away, offer vehicles for hire. Some provide cars with drivers for day trips or longer sightseeing around Tripura.
Public Transport: Local buses and shared autos wait just outside the airport, but they don’t follow a set schedule. They’re mainly used by locals or budget travellers who already know the way around. Most visitors prefer taking a taxi or using a hotel pickup, as both are quicker and more reliable for getting into Agartala.
Practical Tips For Arrival And Departure
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- Plan Around Flight Timings: Most flights run from early morning until evening. Getting there about 90 minutes before takeoff gives you plenty of time to check in and pass security. If your airline offers web check-in, do it earlier; it saves standing in line.
- Security Checks: Security is simple, just steady. Keep your ID and boarding pass ready, and listen to the CISF staff; they’ll guide you through. Don’t take photos near the checkpoints. Laptops and documents out early make things quicker.
- Luggage And Packing Tips: Baggage limits are checked carefully, so it’s best to follow your airline’s weight rules. Skip carrying liquids over 100 ml in cabin bags to avoid delays at security.
- Onward Travel: Outside the terminal, you’ll find prepaid taxis and app-based cabs waiting for passengers. Fares are set, and the taxis run reliably to Agartala or nearby towns. If your hotel offers a pickup, confirm it before you fly; it can save you time after arrival.
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Most people flying into Tripura come through Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala. It’s small, modern, and runs better than you might expect for a northeastern hill state. Whether you’re visiting for work or just curious about Tripura’s culture and scenery, the airports in Tripura do their part well, with quick check-ins, friendly staff, and an easy pace that takes the stress out of travel. If you’re planning a trip, check TripXL for flight updates and local tips.
Cover Photo: Kingshuk Mondal / Wikimedia Commons
