Getting to Mumbai
Mumbai, capital of the state of Maharashtra, is located on the west coast of Maharashtra and is one of the worlds most populated metropolitan areas. The city has much to offer in terms of culture, history and an exciting, modern nightlife.
There are several travelling options to get to Mumbai including air, road and rail. However, the most convenient way to reach the city is by air, as it is the fastest and most comfortable transport option.
By car
The distances in India are vast; Delhi to Mumbai is 1,460kms; Kolkatta to Mumbai is 2,836kms; and Pune to Mumbai is 170kms. In addition to the long distances, there is heavy traffic between the main cities. Mumbai is on the National Highway network and is quite easy to get to using a combination of country or rural roads and the highways. However, not all signs are in western script and many roads are not well maintained.
By rail
Trains travelling from the central, southern and eastern regions arrive at Victoria Terminus (now renamed as Chattrapathi Shivaji Terminus) using the Central Railway line. From here, it is a short drive to Colaba. Trains departing from northern India arrive at the Mumbai Central Terminus, the station for trains using the Western Railway line. Trains from some southern parts may arrive at the railway station at Dadar, in the industrial suburbs, or at Kurla Station. Both these stations are a little far from the city centre, but there are taxis and buses to transfer you to the city.
By bus
Travelling by bus is one of the cheapest travel options in India and a very popular mode of travel with the locals. As such, India has an extensive network of bus services that connect almost all parts of the country. Mumbai has its own bus stand, Mumbai Central, which is conveniently located near the railway station. Nearly all inter-state buses, including buses from Pune, Bangalore, Madras, Delhi, Goa, Nasik and several other places, commute to Mumbai regularly.
By air
Mumbai is serviced by an airport that is separated into two distinct sections, each bearing its own name: the Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport, formerly known as the Sahar, and the domestic Santa-Cruz Airport. The two sections are about four kilometres from each other, with a shuttle bus connection running every 15 minutes.
The international airport is further divided into two sections, one serving Air India flights and the other serving all foreign airlines including Air Canada, Air France, Mauritius Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and many others. The airport is located about 30kms to the north of the city. The flight time from London to Mumbai is approximately 9 hours on a direct flight.
There is a 24-hour exchange facility, a tourist information desk run by the government, car rental kiosks, hotel booking desks, domestic airline offices, a business centre, 24-hour left luggage service counter, cafs and a pre-paid taxi stand at the airport. There is also an Indian Railways ticket office. Once passengers have passed through Immigration, there are a few retail outlets including a duty-free shop, a few food kiosks and cafs.
The domestic airport is located slightly closer to the city and is also separated into two terminals; one for Indian Airline flights and the other for chartered or private flights. The smaller domestic airport has a tourist information counter, hotel booking service counter, small business centre, car rental agencies and a 24-hour information service available.
It is very easy to get a taxi from either airport to the city, but passengers arriving at the Santa Cruz Airport should avoid the taxi touts and use the metered yellow and black taxis that wait outside the Arrivals area. Passengers should also avoid using the auto-rickshaws, as they are not allowed downtown and will drop you off at the edge of Mahim Creek.
Many hotels provide a courtesy pick-up service, as the shuttle bus service at the airport usually has long delays. Passengers can get an auto-rickshaw ride to the train station, less than 10 minutes away, and take a train into the city; however, this is not recommended, as the trains are usually overcrowded and favourite spots for pick-pocketing. It is best to take a taxi or arrange for your hotel to provide you with a courtesy pick-up service.
There is plenty of covered and uncovered parking available at both airports.
Taxis
Taxis are the best way to get around the city. Taxis are all equipped with meters, but it is common for the driver to try and negotiate a price, which will usually be more expensive than a meter reading. Taxis are easily available and can be hailed anywhere in the city. Not all taxis are air-conditioned; visitors looking for an air-conditioned taxi should look out for a blue-coloured taxi.