To and From the Airport

Mumbai/Bombay - Chhatrapati Shivaji Intl (BOM):

Website: Mumbai Airport
Location: 37 km/23 Miles N of the city centre.
Airport Map: Click here.

Airport Overview:
General: There is only one large airport, although locals usually refer to it as 2 separate airports. The International terminal (officially Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Terminal 2, unofficially Sahar Airport) and the Domestic Terminal (officially Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Terminal 1, unofficially Santa Cruz Airport). The International airport is one large terminal divided into terminals 2A and 2C, but it is only a few minutes walk between the 2. The Domestic terminal is divided into 2 terminals about 5-10 mins walk apart. Indian Airlines, Alliance Air, Kingfisher Airlines & Go Air flights depart from terminal 1A. Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Air Deccan & Spice Jet flights depart from terminal 1B. All arrivals are in terminal 1A. The 2 terminals are 5 km/3 miles apart by road.
Transfer between Terminals: Transfer between the domestic and international airports is by a free transfer bus (air ticket holders only see below) which runs every 30 mins.
Airline Locations: Domestic Terminal 1A: is for all domestic arrivals & departures for Indian Airlines (but see note below!), Alliance Air, Kingfisher Airlines & Go Air.
Domestic Terminal 1B: Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Air Deccan & Spice Jet flights depart from terminal 1B.
Intl Terminal 2A: Alitalia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines (Intl flights), Iran Air, Virgin, Jet Airways (Intl flights), Air Arabia, bmi, Kenya Airways, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Northwest, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Saudi Arabian, Sri Lankan, El Al, Swiss, QANTAS, Etihad & PIA (Pakistan).
Intl Terminal 2C: Air France, Air India, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, Biman Bangladesh, Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysian, Royal Jordanian, Royal Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African, Syrian, Thai, Yemen Air, Aeroflot, Austrian Airlines & China Eastern.
Note: Several Indian Airlines domestic flights (especially those to Goa, Calicut/Kozhikode & Cochin/Kochi) depart from the Intl terminal 2.
By Taxi:
Taxis are the really only practical way of getting to and from Mumbai Airport, unless you have you own transport or are staying at a hotel which offers transfers for guests. For the first time visitor to India, the taxi system is extremely daunting, with multitudes of honking taxis all competing for trade. In addition, Autorickshaws (Tuk-tuks, see below) can provide less comfortable transfers at a cheaper price, but are prohibited from entering Mumbai city limits.
Pre-paid taxi booths are at the Intl terminals 2A & 2C, and their use is recommended as it circumvents possible arguing over prices later. The staff at these booths issue a ticket which you pay cash for. You are then taken to your taxi and driven to destination. No further payment is required or expected. These pre-paid taxi booths are not available at the domestic terminals. Tel 26 82 99 22. The rates are as follows for non and air-conditioned taxis (Apr 06):
Distance Locations: Non a/c a/c
7 km Domestic terminals, Juhu Lane, Irla Bridge, Kurla Depot, Mahakali/Takshila, Marol, Navrang Theatre, Sakinaka & Vile Parle East. INR 110 140
12 km Amboli Village, Bharat Nagar, Bandra East, D.N. Nagar, Four Bungalows, Ghatkopar East/West, Goregaon West, Green Field, Millat Nagar, Juhu, Jogeshwari, Kanjur Marg West, Khar, Kalina, Kurla West, Lokhandwala, Vile Parle West, Veera Desai Road, Santacruz, Vidhya Vihar, Poonam Nagar & Ramabhai Colony. INR 155 195
17 km Antop Hill, Bhandup, Bandra West, Bangur Nagar, Chembur, Dadar, Deonar, Dharavi, Film City/Gokul Dham, Kandivali Lokhandwala, King's Circle, Kanjur Marg East, Koliwada Sion, Mahim, Malad East, Matunga/Sion, Orlem, Saitan Chowky, Sea Rock Hotel, Vashi Naka & Vikhroli West. INR 200 250
22 km Bombay Central, Mumbai Central (Train station), Byculla/Borivali, Charkop, Dahanukar Wadi, Govandi/Haji Ali, Evershine Nagar, Ins Hamala, Lal Baug, Mahul, Malwani, Mulund, Nagpada/Parel, Prabhadevi, Sewree, Trombey/Trombay, Worli & Vikhroli East. INR 245 305
27 km Bhendi Bazar, Carnac Bunder, Chowpati/Chowpatty, Crawford Market, Dahisar, Gorai, Grant Road, Kamatipura, Kemp's Corner, Khetwadi, Marine Lines, I.C. Colony, Mohd Ali Road, Pedder Road, Tardeo, Wadi Bunder & Yogi Nagar. INR 290 360
32 km Bombay Hospital, Colaba, Cuff Parade, Marine Drive, President Hotel, Mudh Island, Oberoi Towers, President Hotel, Taj Hotel, Gateway of India, CST Railway Station, Churchgate train station & Nariman Point. INR 325 405
Various extras apply, eg service charge INR 5, carriage of TV, washing machine or Fridge INR 25, Toll Tax INR 50, Baggege per piece INR 5 or 10 depending on size. You will be relieved to hear briefcases and handbags can be carried free of charge!
The following long-distance taxi fares are also available, again only from the Intl terminals and of course subject to the toll tax of INR 50:
32 km Bhayander, Mira Road & Kashmira. INR 325 405
37 km Navy Nagar, Afgan Church, Turbhe, Juhee Nagar, Sanpada, Vashi, Kopar Kairane, APMC & Thane. INR 380 475
42 km Nerul,Konkan & Bhavan INR 430 540
47 km Belapur,Kharghar & Panvel. INR 480 600
From the domestic terminals, taxis wait outside. Make sure the meter is used and that it is set to INR 1/00 at the start. It seems the correct price to pay is around 13 times that shown on the meter, but this is liable to change over time.
When catching taxis from the city to the airport, expect to pay similar fares to those shown above. Be aware that traffic in Mumbai can be appalling and transfer times from Colaba to the airport can range from 45 mins to 2 hours.
By Autorickshaw:
General: Autorickshaws, or tuk-tuks are modified motorcycles with a covered part for up to 2 passengers. They cannot easily accommodate large bags, but are ideal for short journeys with few bags. Local laws prevent them from crossing Rahim Creek into Mumbai city.
Most drivers are happy to use the meter, but make sure they start it before you move off. At present, the fare to be paid is equal to 10 times that shown on the meter minus 1 rupee. eg if the meter shows 2.7, then the fare is INR 26!! This formula changes over time so check if possible.
Typical Fares: Domestic to Intl terminal INR 50/10-20 mins. Intl terminal to Vile Parle train station INR 35-40/15-25 mins. Domestic terminal to Vile Parle train station INR 20-25/5-15 mins.
By Bus:
GTS Bus to Pune: GTS (Graphic Trans Service) Buses run from the Intl terminals to Pune/Poona at regular intervals. See the booth in the arrivals greeting area.
Air India Bus to Nariman Point: There is reported to be a shuttle bus that runs from the Air India Building in Nariman Point to all terminals at the airport. Departure times from Nariman point are reported as 1230, 1615, 2015, 2215 & 2330. The cost is INR 50-60 and transfer time 60-90 mins. NOTE: In April 2006 I was unable to find any such bus despite an extensive search. Several people had heard of such a bus, including staff at the Air India Building, but none could show me the bus stop.
Luxury Coach Service: There is a booth in Intl Arrivals offering long-distance coach transfers to Mangalore, Cannanore, Calicut & Trichur.
EATS Bus: It is reported that EATS runs a bus to the city centre, but I was unable to locate it in April 2006.

By Train: Local trains run from Vile Parle station, 3 km/2 miles to the W of the Terminals. There is a regular train service from there on the Western Railway Route to Churchgate in central Mumbai. INR 78 1st Class/30-45 mins. (Often quicker than taking a taxi, but can be crowded at peak times). Between international terminals 2A & 2C is a Computerised Railway Reservation Center, open 0800-1400 & 1445-2000 (Sundays 0800-1400 only) where train bookings can be made.
Rental Cars: Some local companies are available. There is a booth in arrivals. The ITDC recommended rate for a car and driver is INR 600 for a half day and INR 900 for a full day.
Car Parking: There is a large car park between the 2 domestic terminals. Rates: 4 hrs INR 110, 8 hrs INR 220, 12 hrs INR 330, 24 hrs INR 660.
Airport to Airport: A Free shuttle bus is available between the Intl and Domestic Terminals hourly 24 hrs a day. It also connects the 2 domestic terminals every 15 mins 0400-0000. However this bus is for air ticket holders only, and those people without tickets must take a taxi (~INR 50).
Airport Tax: INR 750 for Intl Departures, but usually now included in the ticket price.
Airport Hotels: There are hotel booking desks in the arrival areas of the terminals. There are many luxury hotels very near the Intl terminals including the Grand Hyatt +91 22 5676 1234, ITC Grand Sheraton Maratha +91 22 2830 3030 & Le Royal Meridien +91 22 2838 0000.
Traveler Note: The Centaur Hotel is within 4km/2 miles of the airport and has great facilities including Pool and restaurants. Ideal for an overnight stay. I sometimes spend a few hours there between flights without paying for a room, rather than staying at the airport. They will often let you use the pool. Alternatively for the budget traveller there is the Hotel Airport International in Vile Parle (East). Not the Ritz, but good value and bearable for a short stay. Tel +91 22 2618 2222.

Baggage Storage:
General: Passengers can now deposit luggage in the 'Left Luggage Facility' that is available at all terminals. Passengers also have the option of depositing luggage at Domestic Terminals and collecting them at the International Terminal and vice versa.
Locations of Counters: Domestic Terminal 1A: Situated in the Arrival hall. Domestic Terminal 1B: Situated at the passenger concourse next to the Arrival exit gate. International Terminal: Situated at the passenger concourse next to the integrated Arrival exit gate.
Contact: Domestic Terminal 1A: +91-9833857114. Domestic Terminal 1B: +91-9833868722. International Terminal: +91-9769068860.

Notes: Passengers without valid air tickets are not allowed to enter the terminals. Vistors are no longer allowed in with Vistor Entry tickets. Passengers needing assistance should go to the Terminal Manager's office near the airport entry gate. ATMs/Cash machines are located in 2 of the terminals. As you exit Intl terminal 2A, turn left and it is at the end of the building. In Domestic terminal 1A, it is upstairs at the western end of the building. Baggage trolleys are free at the airport.
Airport Tel No: +91 22 2615 6500.
Updated Aug12 ADV. Last Visit Jul06.


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