Airports & Transfers in Mumbai (Bombay) and Maharashtra

The trip from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport downtown to south Mumbai should take about 45 minutes if you arrive before 7:30 AM or after 11 PM (many international flights arrive around midnight). At other times, traffic near the city center can increase your trip as much as 90 minutes. Most hotels provide airport transfers starting at Rs. 900 and going up to Rs. 2,500, and some offer complimentary transfers if you're staying in a suite or on an exclusive floor or if the hotel is close to the airport.

The international airport has a prepaid taxi service. Head to the prepaid-taxi counter outside the baggage-and-customs area to hire a regular cab, either air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned. Your rate is determined by your destination and amount of luggage, and is payable up front; Rs. 500 should get you to the center of town (tips aren't necessary). If you want an air-conditioned taxi and do not spot one, call Group Mobile Cool Cab Service or Meru Cabs or Gold Cabs. Air-conditioned taxi fares are 25% higher than non-air-conditioned cabs—the starting rate is Rs. 16.50, then Rs. 12 for each additional kilometer. A trip to, for example, Colaba from the international airport will set you back Rs. 450 by day and Rs. 500 at night, and from the domestic airport Rs. 50 less.

At the domestic airport, metered taxis are available outside; a policeman notes the taxi's license plates before dispatching you on your way. A metered (not prepaid) taxi from the domestic airport to the downtown/south Mumbai area should cost about Rs. 300 and from the international airport about Rs. 350. This system has its problems, and the cabbies waiting at the domestic airport are often cheats with meters that run double-time. There is now a counter near the exit offering taxis driven by women for women passengers—the service is called Forsche. In any case, do not take a taxi that's outside the queue, or accept the offer of a taxi that's parked somewhere that requires you to walk out of the main airport area.

Airport Information

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (22/2682-9112). Forsche Cabs (22/2432-4161 or 22/2432-4162). Gold Cabs (22/3244-3333 or 22/3244-9999). Group Mobile Cool Cab Service (22/2490-5151 or 22/2490-5152). Meru Cabs (22/4422-4422).

Mumbai Gold Cabs (22/3244-3333).

Santa Cruz Domestic Airport (22/2615-6500). Taxi stand, international airport (22/2682-9922 for booking regular taxis).