Search Flights from San Francisco to Mumbai

Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is not just India’s most populated city but one of the most populated cities in the entire world. The city has a population of close to 20 million people. With India’s world famous Bollywood film industry based in the city, Mumbai is one of the most advanced cities in the country in terms of culture and tourism. Every year Mumbia welcomes countless visitors from different parts of the world. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport welcomes visitors to the city and is one of the country’s busiest airports.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport was created from the combination of Santa Cruz Airport and Sahar Airport. Today the airport contains numerous services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport connects Mumbai to different regions in India and major destinations across the world. The airport features restaurants that offer delicious examples of both Indian cuisine and international cuisine, stores and duty free shops where passengers can pass the time by going shopping, private lounges where passenger can relax or do work, and more. In addition, there are countless hotels located in close proximity to the airport for those looking for accommodation alternatives nearby. Hotels that are located in close proximity to the airport include the Hyatt Regency Mumbai, Waterstones Hotel, The Leela Mumbai, and The Lalit Mumbai.

The airport is located in relatively close proximity to the city center. However getting to and from the city center can take much longer than expected due to the heavy traffic conditions in the city. Traveling between the airport and the city center can take between 45 minutes and 2 hours depending on the traffic and the method of transportation you use. You can use a taxi, rental car, bus, or train to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Furthermore, if you want a more economical transportation alternative, consider using shared ride services. There are limousine and rental car services available from the airport to the city center for those who want a more luxurious and comfortable method of transportation.  

Trains are the fastest transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport however trains are usually very overcrowded and aren’t directly accessible from the airport. Taxis are the most convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. We recommend using prepaid taxis to avoid being overcharged. You can find prepaid taxis at the terminals.

Taxi

The most comfortable method of transportation to get to the city center from the airport is by taxi. Taxis are easily available at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The total trip time to the city center from the airport can vary between 45 minutes and 2 hours depending on the traffic. The traffic conditions in the city can get very congested, making it the most important factor in determining the length of your journey. Traffic in Mumbai is notoriously bad.

The most important thing you have to pay attention to is making sure you use a prepaid taxi. By using a prepaid taxi you pay the fare beforehand and avoid any chances of overpaying. If you have agreed on a price beforehand and there were no changes on the predetermined route your taxi drive took to the city then ignore any requests for addition payment. There are regular taxis that run metered fares in the city as well but when you take the heavy traffic conditions in the city into account, these taxis can cost more than prepaid taxis. You also run the risk of being overcharged by a metered taxi driver.

Bus

Taking the bus is another transportation alternative to get to the city center. However, keep in mind that buses tend to be very crowded. Buses depart from both the domestic terminal and the international terminal and provide transportation to various parts of the city.

Bus line 312 departs from the domestic terminal and provides transportation to the Vile Parle and Andheri stations. From these railway stations you can transfer to a train. Bus line 321 departs from the international terminal and provides transportation to Vile Parle East. Bus line 308 departs from the international terminal and provides transportation to Andheri (East) railway station.

Train

Trains are the fastest transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. However, there is no direct access to the train from the airport and trains in Mumbai are incredibly overcrowded. Trains can get so crowded that its almost worth sitting in traffic for hours to avoid the overcrowding, especially if you have excess luggage. To access the train passengers must take the bus from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to the Vile Parle or Andheri railway stations. From there passengers can transfer to the train.

Rental Car

If you don’t want to take public transportation to get to the city center from the airport then renting a car is a great alternative. Renting a car is a comfortable and reliable method of transportation. There are many rental car companies located at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. You can also book your rental vehicle online in advance so that your rental car is ready when you arrive. Rental car companies that you can choose from include AVIS, SS Travels, First and Car Club. These companies have different car models that you can choose from that come with a variety of features. Keep in mind that traffic in the city can be very bad. If you’re planning on traveling to other cities in the country note that the distance between cities in the India is quite expansive. So exploring different cities by car can take a very long time.

Hotel Shuttle Services

There are many major hotels located in the city center of Mumbai, which is a very bustling tourist destination. Major hotels that are located in the city center offer guests hotel shuttle services to and from the city center. Some hotels offer these services to their guests at a fee while some of them offer these services for free. Hotel shuttle services pick you up from the airport and drop you off in front of your hotel. This is one of the most reliable and comfortable transportation alternatives to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, especially if you have heavy or excess luggage.

Limousine

Another transportation alternative to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, and to get around in the city and its surrounding areas during your trip, is by renting a limousine. Usually limousine services come with a chauffer and can be rented on an hourly or daily basis. Renting a limousine is quite expensive but it is a very comfortable means of transportation. If you want to rent a limousine we suggest researching companies online and comparing prices before hand.

Shared Rides

Shared ride services are ideal for those who want to travel to the city center by taxi but who don’t want to pay a lot of money. Shared ride services offer a cheaper opportunity that is still comfortable and convenient. Shared ride services can accommodate a number of people who split the fare, offering a cheaper total cost to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in a vehicle that is as comfortable as a taxi. Taxis that are waiting in front of the airport generally offer shared ride services. You can share a taxi with other passengers who are traveling in the same direction. Make sure to use a prepaid taxi or agree on the taxi fare with the driver before the trip.