Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the second busiest airport in India, after New Delhi's. There are two main terminals – Terminal 1 at Santacruz only operates domestic flights, and Terminal 2 at Sahar caters to domestic as well as international flights. Domestic carriers operating in Mumbai include Air India, Vistara, IndiGo, GoAir and SpiceJet. There are direct international flights to the city from major hubs such as London, New York, Toronto and Sydney. Air Canada, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways are some international flight carriers.
The city centre is 21 km (13 miles) from the airport. Metered taxis with fares that vary based on distance, as well as pre-paid taxi kiosks, are present outside terminals. You could also travel by the suburban railway, but note that trains are extremely crowded and can be inconvenient with luggage. Vile Parle (East) is the station closest to Santacruz; the nearest station to Sahar is Andheri (East).
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), which serves as the headquarters for the central railway is Mumbai's main station. It is linked to all major cities in the country and operates suburban trains in addition to long-distance trains. Popular locations from where trains run on a weekly basis are Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur and Goa. Mumbai Central (MMCT), another major station for express and local trains also functions as the terminal station for long-distance trains such as the Mumbai Rajdhani Express. The other important stations in the city are Bandra Terminus and Kalyan Junction.
Tickets can be booked at reservation counters at the stations. For immediate travel and waitlisted tickets, there are counters along station entrances. You can also book online via the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Check this or the Indian Railways website for detailed train schedules, or phone the Railway Enquiry number for any questions. Stations are a hotspot for theft so keep an eye on your bags. All stations have kiosks for pre-paid auto-rickshaw as well as taxi services.
Several National Highways run through the city. NH 48 links the city to northern and southern India. NH 60 comes in from the north, and NH 66 from the south. NH 61 and 65 connect to the eastern parts of the country. Pune, which is situated about 150 km (92.5 miles) away, is linked via NH 48.
Bus and coach travel is often cheaper than private taxis. The city's main bus stand is the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Mumbai Central. There are also stands in Dadar, Parel and Borivali. Many private companies also run coaches to and from Mumbai. Tickets can be booked at bus stands or online on websites such as redBus.
Known as the "local", the suburban railway is a common means of travel for residents. The Western Line, Central Main Line and Harbour Line are the three routes. Western runs from Churchgate to Virar, while the other lines ply from the CSMT station – the Central Line links to Kalyan, while the Harbour Line travels to Wadala. The train coaches are divided into First and Second class. It is better to travel by first class to avoid rush, though it is costlier. The first carriage is reserved for women. Booths for tickets are found at all stations, along with ticket vending machines. Buy for either a single-trip, or a return-trip, and ensure you travel with it (if you are found without a valid ticket, you could be fined). Rechargeable Smart Cards are available too. You can also buy a ticket on the UTSOnMobile app.
The Mumbai Metro Line - 1 (MML - 1) is a 11-km- ( 7-mile-) long track that runs along Versova–Andheri–Ghatkopar, with 12 stops. Use the metro to avoid traffic and save time.
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has an extensive bus network. The service runs single- as well as double-decker buses (to be phased out by 2023). All buses have numbers with matching destinations; a list is available online.
It is easy to hail a black-and-yellow taxi or an auto-rickshaw (auto) from their stands or by flagging them down on the street. Both run by the meter, and prices vary with distance.
Auto fares are ₹15 for the first kilometre, then ₹12 per kilometre, with a surge between 10pm and 5am. Note: autos do not operate beyond Sion and Bandra.
Ola and Uber taxis can be booked through apps. There are also many radio cab services, such as Meru Cabs, TabCab, and EasyCabs, that can be booked online or on phone. Your hotel should also be able to book a cab for you.
Ferries are the fastest way to reach offshore sights. Marve Beach is connected to Manori (5am to midnight) as well as to Water Kingdom (9am to 8:30pm). Ferries for Mandwa and the Elephanta Caves start at 6am from the Gateway of India. Boats to Madh Island ferry between 5am and 1:30pm from Versova. Services to Panju Island, Arnala Fort and Bhaucha Dhakka (Ferry Wharf) are also available.
Some pockets of the city, mainly in the south are good for exploring on foot. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially on busy roads or street markets. Honking is very common so don’t be alarmed. Look to either side of the road before crossing as people may drive on the wrong side. Major roads have pedestrian pathways so make sure to use them.
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