Mumbai Airport (BOM) Guide

Mumbai Airport (BOM) at a glance

BOM is two separate terminals: T2 handles international flights (and several full-service domestic ones), while T1 is mainly domestic and low-cost (largely IndiGo). They're about 5 km apart with no airside connection, so a T1↔T2 connection means exiting, taking the free shuttle and re-checking in — budget at least three hours. Heading onward in India? See our India travel guide, and estimate your ride with the airport transfer estimator.

Getting from BOM to the city

• Metro Line 3 (Aqua): serves T2 and links to the business districts — the fastest way to beat traffic.
• Prepaid taxi: fixed fare from the counter, ~₹500–800 to South Mumbai.
• App cabs (Ola/Uber): from designated pickup bays; cheaper off-peak.
• Hotel transfer: easiest for late arrivals and families.

Mumbai traffic is heavy — allow 45–75 minutes to South Mumbai and more in peak hours.

Getting it right: use the prepaid taxi counter inside arrivals for a fixed fare, or walk to the signed app-cab pickup zone for Uber/Ola — both avoid the touts who approach inside the terminal. Allow 60–90 minutes to South Mumbai in peak hours; the Western Express Highway and Bandra–Worli Sea Link are quickest off-peak.

Connections & facilities

For a T1↔T2 self-connection, use the free inter-terminal shuttle (carry your boarding pass/ticket; the ride is ~25–40 minutes with traffic). Both terminals have lounges, dining, SIM and forex counters, and quiet rest areas. T2's art-filled Jaya He museum walk is worth a look on a long wait.

Terminal-by-terminal: where to go

• Terminal 2 (T2): all international flights plus several full-service domestic services. It's the larger, newer terminal, with immigration, the Metro Line 3 station, the Jaya He museum walk and the widest lounge and dining choice.
• Terminal 1 (T1, Santacruz): mostly domestic and low-cost (largely IndiGo). Older and about 5 km away from T2 by road.

There is no airside link between the two, so a connection always means landside transfer. Re-check your terminal on the day — some domestic operations move between T1 and T2.

Lounges & long layovers

T2 has the better lounge spread, accessible via Priority Pass, eligible credit/debit cards, DreamFolks, or pay-per-use (typically from ~₹1,500–2,500 for a few hours with food and Wi-Fi). Many Indian premium and travel cards include a set number of free lounge visits each quarter, so check your card before paying. For long international layovers, T2 has paid rest areas and sleeping zones, and there are transit-friendly hotels near the airport for overnight waits — usually more comfortable than the terminal.

Baggage, SIM, forex & assistance

Use the left-luggage/cloakroom service if you have a long gap or plan to dip into the city. Grab a prepaid SIM and use forex counters/ATMs in arrivals, but change only what you need — city rates are better (see our currency exchange guide). Wheelchair and special assistance are free; arrange them with your airline ahead of time. Sort what to bring with the packing checklist.

Practical tips: T2's arrivals SIM counters need a passport, visa and photo, with activation sometimes taking a few hours — buy before leaving the terminal if you need instant data. The cloakroom is charged per bag per 24 hours. For early-morning international departures, the inter-terminal road can be slow in peak traffic, so add buffer or pre-book a cab the night before.

First-time international arrival, step by step

Landing at Mumbai for the first time? The flow is simple: 1) follow signs to immigration and have your passport and any documents ready; 2) collect baggage from the belt for your flight; 3) if you need data now, buy a prepaid SIM or activate an eSIM before leaving the hall; 4) change only a little money at the airport (city rates are better); 5) walk past the touts to the official transfer — Metro Line 3, the prepaid taxi counter or an app cab. Keep your boarding pass until you exit, and screenshot your hotel address and a map offline in case you lose signal.

Long layover playbook

For a long wait at Mumbai's T2: the airline and pay-per-use lounges offer food, showers and Wi-Fi; the art-filled Jaya He museum walk helps pass time; and the in-terminal Niranta transit hotel lets you sleep without clearing immigration. For overnight stops, an airport-area hotel can be better value. Crucially, confirm whether both flights use T2 — a T1↔T2 self-connection is landside (about 5 km via the free shuttle) and needs a generous buffer.

From landing to the city

1. Confirm your terminal: international = T2; most low-cost domestic = T1.
2. For a T1↔T2 connection, exit and take the free shuttle — allow 3+ hours.
3. Collect baggage and pick up a SIM/forex if arriving internationally.
4. Choose your transfer: Metro Line 3 (T2), prepaid taxi or app cab.
5. Use the prepaid taxi counter for a fixed fare, or book an app cab from the bays.
6. Allow extra time for Mumbai traffic, especially in peak hours.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming T1 and T2 are connected airside — they aren't; allow time and use the shuttle.
• Booking a tight T1↔T2 self-connection (under 3 hours).
• Ignoring Metro Line 3, which can beat heavy road traffic.
• Hailing random taxis instead of the prepaid counter or app cabs.
• Underestimating Mumbai traffic to South Mumbai.
• Going to the wrong terminal for departure — always re-check.

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