Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM IATA), also known as Mumbai Airport, is the main airport of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is one of India's busiest airports and one of the main international gateways to the country.
Understand
Mumbai has excellent connectivity with most of the major cities around the world, including New York City, London, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur to name a few. If you are flying from Europe it is generally cheaper to fly from London, and there are many frequent flights available. All domestic sectors are linked to Mumbai, making it the second busiest hub in the country next to Delhi.
Formed in the 1930s as an air force base, Mumbai Airport used to have only one terminal at Santacruz till 1981 and was the most crowded airport in India. A new terminal was formed in 1981 to reduced the crowd.
Flights
Mumbai Airport is divided into two commercial terminals. Terminal 1, locally known as Santacruz Airport, is used for domestic flights primarily operated by budget airlines. Terminal 2, locally known as Sahar Airport, is used for both international and domestic flights.
Although both terminals are part of the same airport, they are 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) away from each other, requiring a 15– to 20-minute drive between them.
As of 2023, the two terminals have been assigned as follows:
| Terminal 1 AirAsia India, IndiGo and Go First |
| Terminal 2 Air India, SpiceJet, AirAsia, Vistara and international airlines |
Ground transportation
By taxi
You should take a prepaid coupon taxi to minimise hassle. Never pay more than ₹600 for a prepaid taxi. This amount should suffice to arrive at the southernmost point of Colaba, the main tourist district. While it is possible to take metered taxis to a destination, it is always a safer bet to take the prepaid taxis, in order to avoid the use of a longer, indirect route to increase the fare! While it is not mandatory to pay extra charges for luggage, a tip of ₹50-100 will be appreciated. Be careful with the main prepaid counter on the left upon leaving the terminal. The ₹100 bill and the ₹500 bill were very similar at one time. The old ₹100 is still valid, but the old ₹500 is not, so inspect the bills being paid with and being received.
There are many prepaid taxi offices lined up near the airport's exit. If one offers a high rate, search for a fair fare at other offices. Go to the taxi office and purchase a coupon to give to the driver. The coupon will have the taxi registration number written on it; only enter that taxi. Do not accept a lift from someone claiming to be a taxi driver as they may charge much higher prices to tourists. The charges will depend on the general area you need to get to and will include all tolls to be paid.
While most drivers should not have any problem delivering you to major hotels and intersections, do not assume your driver will be familiar with lesser-known hotels. Before departing, indicate the full address of your destination, thus avoiding delays. If a driver insists on agreeing on a fare before boarding the vehicle, insist using the meter.
A common scam directed at tourists is when a taxi arrives at the airport, a man will remove luggage from the trunk, put it in a cart, transport it towards the terminal and along the way ask for a ₹500 baggage fee. There is no baggage fee, so decline to pay and push the cart without assistance.
By local train
The nearest railway station is 🌍 Vile Parle Western . and it is possible to take a bus, taxi or an auto to the station. This may require walking 200 m (660 ft) to the intersection of the road to find an auto. Travel first class to avoid hassle. Do not try this during the morning rush. It's a good option in the evening, since it's off-peak direction then.
By bus
BEST operates air-conditioned buses between Mumbai Airport and Andheri railway station. Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) runs bus services between the airport and Navi Mumbai.
By car
The airport is some 10–12 kilometres (6–7.5 miles) north of South Mumbai. Most premium hotels arrange private chauffeur driven cars. They are the most trusted, secure and comfortable way to get in the airport.
Parking
Paid parking is available at the airport. The charges are ₹60 per four-hour block for cars. Longer-term parking is available in a "premium" area but it is expensive, costing up to ₹600 per day.
By metro
The nearest metro station is 🌍 Airport Road 3 , which is not directly connected to the airport. While it might make for a cheaper taxi ride, it is still quite inconvenient.
Get around
A free shuttle bus runs between T1 and T2 for those who have a valid ticket. As the terminals are far apart and separated by runways, the bus has to go outside the airport and drop passengers at the departure complex. You will need to re-clear security, when changing terminals, have a long enough layover, as the transfer process can take hours. Going from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 requires leaving the airport and re-entering through International Departures.
Wait
- Air India Lounge (Terminal 2). 9:30AM-6PM.
- GVK Business Lounge (Terminal 2).
- Jaya He GVK New Museum (Terminal 2).
- Kenya Airways Lounge (Terminal 2).
- Malaysia Airlines Lounge (Terminal 2).
- Oasis Lounge (Terminal 1).
- Smoke Lounge (Terminal 1).
- Singapore Airlines Lounge (Terminal 2).
Eat and drink
- Kailash Parbat (Terminal 1). 6AM-midnight.
- Theobroma (Terminal 2). 6AM-9PM.
Buy
- 🌍 Mumbai Duty Free (Terminal 1), toll-free: +91 1800 270 6337.
Sleep
| This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room: | |
| Budget | Under ₹3,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 |
| Splurge | Over ₹6,000 |
It is almost impossible to find good budget hotels near the airport and most hotels are either mid-range or splurge. So if you want to book a hotel and you don't have the budget to stay near the airport, you should head to the nearby suburbs. However, if money is no object, you can stay at the following hotels.
Budget
- 🌍 Star of Mumbai, 172, Shahid Bhagat Singh Society, JB Nagar, Andheri E, ☏ +91 22 33487197. ₹1700-₹2200.
Mid-range
- 🌍 Hotel Airlines International, Yoga Institute Rd, Prabhat Colony, Santacruz E, ☏ +91 22 2610 0741, +91 22 2614 9562. ₹2,200–3,200. Credit and debit cards accepted.
- Midland Hotel, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Santacruz E, ☏ +91 22 2611 0414, +91 22 2611 0413, fax: +91 22 2613 2411, reservations@hotelmidland.com. Free airport pickup and drop available. Complimentary American Breakfast. ₹4000-4400. Rates inclusive of tax..
Splurge
- 🌍 Hilton Mumbai International Airport, Ascot Centre, Sahar Airport Rd, ☏ +91 22 2838 0000. From ₹6,000.
- Hyatt Regency Mumbai, Sahar Airport Rd, ☏ +91 22 6696 1234, india.reservations@hyattintl.com. Five-star hotel with 12 function rooms, squash courts, and a spa.
- 🌍 ITC Maratha Mumbai, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Sahar, ☏ +91 22 5654 5454, fax: +91 22 5651 7171, mail@welcomgroup.com. ₹8,100-31,500.
- 🌍 JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Juhu Tara Rd, ☏ +91 22 6882 8888.
- 🌍 The Leela Mumbai, Sahar, Andheri E, ☏ +91 22 5692 8888, fax: +91 22 5693 4455, +91 22 6691 1234, reservations@theleela.com. If you have the money, this is the hotel to stay in. Awarded the best hotel for the International Traveller in the country in 1997-1998. ₹8775–₹9225 (US$195–$205).
- 🌍 Mirage Hotel.
- 🌍 Niranta Airport Transit Hotel (Terminal 2), ☏ +91 77188 84351.
- 🌍 Orchid, Nehru Rd, Vile Parle E, ☏ +91 22 2616 4040, fax: +91 22 2616 4141, samohmu@orchidhotel.com. An Ecotel Hotel is Asia's first certified eco-friendly five star hotel. ₹7,000–₹16,500 (US$160–$435).
- 🌍 Sahara Star, ☏ +91 22 3989 5000.
- 🌍 Taj Santacruz (Terminal 1). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon.
- 🌍 Aurika, Mumbai Skycity (Hotels near Mumbai Airport), NS C-04, CTS No. 145 A, Skycity, Sahar Airport Road, ☏ +91 22 69436000.
Nearby
- South Mumbai — the obvious destination for the travellers who are still trapped in this airport.
- Western, Central and Harbour Suburbs — for good budget hotels and nice beaches.