Mumbai Airport Guide

Mumbai Airport Guide

Everything you need to know about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport — terminals, transport to the city, lounges, SIM cards, and essential tips

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is India's second-busiest airport and the main gateway to Mumbai. Located in Andheri, roughly in the middle of the city, the airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) for budget domestic airlines and Terminal 2 (T2) for international flights and premium domestic carriers. T2 is renowned for its spectacular Jaya He GVK art installation — a 3 km art wall showcasing India's cultural heritage that makes it one of the world's most beautiful airport terminals.

This guide walks you through both terminals, the best ways to reach your hotel, and essential arrival tips.

Terminal Overview

Domestic Budget

Terminal 1 (T1)

  • Airlines: IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoFirst, and other budget domestic carriers
  • Facilities: Food court, lounges (limited), currency exchange, SIM card counters
  • Condition: Older terminal, currently being renovated and expanded
  • Check-in: Can be crowded during morning and evening peak hours
  • Transport: Pre-paid taxi counter, Ola/Uber pickup zone, BEST bus stop
  • Tip: T1 is functional but not architecturally impressive — arrive, process, and leave
International + Premium Domestic

Terminal 2 (T2)

  • Airlines: All international flights, plus Vistara, Air India, select IndiGo
  • Facilities: World-class lounges, duty-free, restaurants, currency exchange, SIM cards
  • Art installation: The Jaya He GVK wall is a 3 km art museum — arrive early to explore it
  • Condition: Modern, opened 2014, beautiful architecture inside and out
  • Transport: Pre-paid taxi counter, Ola/Uber designated pickup, bus service
  • Tip: Allow time to admire the art and architecture — T2 is genuinely impressive

Transferring Between Terminals

T1 and T2 are approximately 5 km apart. A free shuttle bus operates between the terminals every 20-30 minutes. Allow 30-45 minutes for the transfer including waiting time. Alternatively, take an Ola/Uber (₹80-120, 10-15 minutes). If you have a connecting flight at a different terminal, allow at least 3 hours between flights.

Airport to City Transport

Pre-Paid Taxi

Recommended
Price: ₹500-800 to South Mumbai
Time: 1-2 hours

Pros

  • + Fixed price — no surprises
  • + Counter in arrivals hall
  • + Available 24/7
  • + Official and safe

Cons

  • - More expensive than Ola during off-peak
  • - Older vehicles, often no AC
  • - Fixed price regardless of traffic shortcuts

Ola / Uber

Recommended
Price: ₹400-700 to South Mumbai
Time: 1-2 hours

Pros

  • + Usually cheaper than pre-paid taxi
  • + Air-conditioned vehicles
  • + GPS tracking
  • + Pay via app — no cash needed

Cons

  • - Surge pricing during rain/peak hours
  • - Need data/Wi-Fi to book
  • - Pick-up point can be confusing at T2
  • - Driver cancellations possible

BEST Bus

Budget
Price: ₹6-20
Time: 2-3 hours to South Mumbai

Pros

  • + Cheapest option by far
  • + Regular service from both terminals
  • + AC and non-AC options

Cons

  • - Very slow with multiple stops
  • - Crowded during peak hours
  • - Difficult with heavy luggage
  • - Limited late-night service

Atal Setu (for Navi Mumbai)

Shortcut
Price: ₹250-400 by taxi
Time: 30-45 minutes

Pros

  • + Dramatic sea-link bridge shortcut
  • + Avoids Mumbai city traffic entirely
  • + Fast connection to Navi Mumbai

Cons

  • - Only useful for Navi Mumbai destinations
  • - Toll charges apply
  • - Bridge can close during heavy storms

Airport Lounges

Domestic Lounges

  • ITC Green Lounge (T2): Best domestic lounge with excellent food, shower facilities, and comfortable seating. Access via Priority Pass or ₹1,500-2,000.
  • Encalm Privee (T2): Premium lounge with a la carte dining and quieter atmosphere. Priority Pass accepted.
  • Travel Club Lounge (T1): More basic but functional. Snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi. Access via Priority Pass or credit card lounge programmes.

International Lounges

  • GVK Lounge (T2): The premium international lounge with excellent food, bar, spa services, and sleep pods. One of India's best airport lounges.
  • Encalm Privee International (T2): Quieter alternative with good food and shower facilities. Priority Pass accepted.
  • Airline lounges: Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and others operate dedicated lounges for their premium passengers.

Airport Facilities

SIM Cards & Connectivity

  • Jio: Counters in arrivals at both terminals. Tourist SIM with data from ₹199/28 days. Best 4G coverage in Mumbai.
  • Airtel: Also available at airport. Reliable network with good coverage. Tourist plans from ₹199.
  • Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi available throughout both terminals (30 minutes free, then paid).
  • Tip: Get a SIM immediately — you need data for Ola/Uber, maps, and UPI payments.

Currency & Money

  • Exchange: Multiple counters in arrivals. Rates are slightly worse than city banks.
  • ATMs: Available in arrivals and departures. SBI, HDFC, and ICICI ATMs are reliable.
  • UPI: Set up Google Pay or PhonePe — UPI is accepted almost everywhere in Mumbai, even small stalls.
  • Tip: Exchange a small amount (₹3,000-5,000) at the airport. UPI handles most payments.

Essential Airport Tips

Always Allow 2+ Hours for Traffic

Mumbai traffic is notoriously unpredictable. A trip from Colaba to the airport can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours depending on time, day, and rain. During monsoon, add even more buffer. For flights before 10 AM, consider staying near the airport the night before.

Use Pre-Paid Taxi for Late Arrivals

If arriving after 11 PM, the pre-paid taxi counter is the most reliable option. Ola/Uber availability drops late at night and surge pricing can apply. The pre-paid taxi price is fixed regardless of time. Pay at the counter, get a receipt, and proceed to the taxi stand.

Atal Setu Shortcut to Navi Mumbai

If heading to Navi Mumbai, the Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) is a dramatic 21.8 km sea bridge that cuts travel time from 2 hours to 30-45 minutes. Opened in 2024, it avoids the congested highway route entirely. Toll applies but the time saved is immense. Ask your taxi driver to take the sea link route.

Explore T2's Art Installation

Terminal 2's Jaya He art wall is genuinely worth arriving early for. The 3 km installation features over 7,000 artworks spanning 5,000 years of Indian history. It is one of the world's largest and most impressive airport art collections. Allow 30-45 minutes to walk through the pre-departure area and appreciate it.

Mumbai Airport FAQs

Terminal 2 (T2) handles all international flights and premium domestic carriers like Vistara and Air India. Terminal 1 (T1) handles budget domestic carriers like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoFirst. The terminals are 5 km apart — allow 20-30 minutes to transfer between them. A free shuttle bus operates between T1 and T2.
The most common options: Pre-paid taxi from the counter in arrivals (₹500-800 to South Mumbai, fixed price), Ola/Uber (₹400-700, variable with traffic), or BEST bus (₹6-20, cheapest but slow). A taxi to Colaba takes 1-2 hours depending on traffic. The upcoming Metro Line 3 will connect the airport directly to South Mumbai.
Not directly from the airport. The nearest stations are Andheri (Western Line) and Ghatkopar (Central Line), both accessible by auto-rickshaw or Ola/Uber from the airport (₹50-100, 15-20 minutes). From there, you can take the local train to South Mumbai for ₹10-15. This is the cheapest but most complex route.
Pre-paid taxis offer fixed prices (₹500-800 to South Mumbai) regardless of traffic or route. Ola/Uber may be cheaper during off-peak hours (₹400-700) but can surge during rain or rush hour. Pre-paid taxis are more reliable for late-night arrivals. The counter is in the arrivals hall — pay first, get a receipt, then go to the taxi stand.
Allow at least 3 hours for international flights and 2 hours for domestic. Mumbai traffic is unpredictable — add 1-2 hours travel time from South Mumbai. During monsoon and festival periods, allow extra time. T2 can be very busy during evening international departures (8-11 PM). Security and check-in are generally efficient.

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