By Air in Bombay (Mumbai)

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By Air

Bombay's international airport (BOM) (tel. 22/836-6767) is at Sahar, 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the city center. The domestic airport (tel. 22/611-2850) is at Santa Cruz, 26 kilometers (15 1/2 miles) from the city center. Reconfirm your flight at least 72 hours before departure and arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before the scheduled takeoff for domestic flights and 2 hours before international flights; Delta Airlines and some others require you to arrive 3 hours before takeoff. Convenient for long delays or layovers, both airports have 24-hour business centers available to major credit-card holders.

Indian airports have rigid security procedures, and you should expect tight security. Do not pack a pocket knife in your hand luggage. Even golf clubs are not allowed as hand luggage. Also remove the batteries from your camera or any electronics (except your computer) and pack them into your checked luggage. If you hand carry a computer, you will usually be asked to turn it on during the security check. For many flights, checked luggage must be identified on the tarmac before boarding.

Carriers

Delta Airlines (tel. 800/221-1212 or 22/202-9020 in Bombay) has flights to and from Bombay every day via its Frankfurt hub. Other international carriers serving Bombay include Air India (tel. 212/751-6200 or 22/202-4142 in Bombay), Air Canada (tel. 800/776-3000 or 22/202-7632 in Bombay), and British Airways (tel. 0345/222-111 in the U.K. or 22/202-1314 in Bombay). Domestic carriers include Indian Airlines (tel. 22/202-3031 or 287-6161 in Bombay) and a number of new airlines; check with your travel agent for carriers and schedules.

The entry of privately owned domestic carriers into the market has forced Indian Airlines to improve its service, but Indian Airlines flights are still subject to delays, and some scheduled departures are canceled without explanation. Many of the new carriers are struggling to survive. Check with your travel agent, tour operator, or the Government of India Tourist Office for the latest information on private carriers and flight schedules.

For domestic flights, get your tickets when you purchase your international ticket to the subcontinent if possible. Some carriers are not allowed to sell their tickets outside India. Be certain tickets and not just reservations are confirmed. Indian Airlines is notorious for overbooking to important destinations, and you can be stranded with no recourse. Never schedule back-to-back flights; plan enough time for unexpected delays.

Between the Airports and Town

The trip should take about 30 minutes if you arrive before 9 AM or after 8 PM. At other times, traffic near the city center can increase the trip time to more than an hour. Most hotels provide complimentary airport transfers if you are staying in a suite or on an exclusive floor. All hotels, however, will provide airport transfers for about Rs. 200 to Rs. 300, depending on their location.

By Taxi

Each airport has a prepaid taxi service. Head to the prepaid taxi counter (outside either the baggage or the customs area). Your destination and amount of luggage determine the rate; Rs. 450 should get you to the center of the city from either airport. Once you get into a taxi (black with a yellow top), don't give the driver the payment slip until you reach your destination. If the driver demands more rupees, complain to the hotel doorman. A regular metered taxi from the international airport to the city center should cost about Rs. 200 and from the domestic airport, about Rs. 150.