Getting There and Away

Iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai with a bustling crowd and pigeons in the foreground.
Rahul Goyal, Pexels

Mumbai is well-served by major transport hubs, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which acts as a key international and domestic aviation gateway. The city's extensive railway network, anchored by significant stations like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Churchgate, facilitates both suburban and long-distance train travel. Additionally, numerous bus depots across the city serve as departure and arrival points for intercity bus services.

Flights:

One can fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai's primary airport. Many international and domestic airlines operate here. For instance, a flight from Delhi to Mumbai typically takes about two hours . Prices for round-trip flights from the United States can range from approximately $583 to over $2,400, depending on the origin and booking time . It is advised to arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 4 hours before international flights due to potential security lines .

Trains:

Mumbai is a significant rail hub, with connections to various parts of India through long-distance train services from stations like Mumbai Central and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). For example, a train journey from Delhi to Mumbai can take around 15 hours 40 minutes, with sleeper class fares starting from approximately ₹635 and First AC fares around ₹4,030 . The journey from Pune to Mumbai by train is shorter, typically taking about 3 hours 55 minutes . The upcoming bullet train service between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is expected to reduce travel time to approximately 2 hours 7 minutes .

Buses:

Intercity bus services connect Mumbai to numerous cities. For example, a bus from Pune to Mumbai can take around 3 to 5 hours, with fares starting from about ₹213 . Journeys from more distant cities like Delhi can take between 27 and 36 hours, with fares from approximately ₹1,999 . Travel from Bangalore to Mumbai by bus typically takes 17-18 hours . Various operators provide services with different comfort levels, including AC sleeper buses .

Car Rentals and Taxis:

Upon arrival at CSMIA, readily available options include prepaid taxis and app-based services such as Ola and Uber . The drive from South Mumbai to the airport typically takes 60-90 minutes, depending on traffic .

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