Compared with airports in advanced countries, visitors may find Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji congested and confusing, and procedures like immigration slow. Considering that there are five terminals, the signs that detail various facilities are not up to the mark.

Signage is English, Hindi and Marathi (official language of Maharashtra, the state where Mumbai is located).

The complex is actually two commercial airports 4km. (2-1/2 miles) apart. The international airport (Terminal II) is located at Sahar Village, 30 km (18 miles) north of the city. The domestic airport (Terminal I) is at Santa Cruz, 26 km from the city. A courtesy shuttle service links the two.

Terminal I-A is for domestic flights operated by Indian Airlines and subsidiary Alliance Air, while Terminal I-B is for domestic flights operated by Gujarat Airways, Jet Airways, NEPC, Skyline NEPC, Sahara India, Spanair and UP Air.

Terminal II-A is for international flights operated by Air France, Air Lanka, Alitalia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Saudia, Swiss Air and Turkish Airlines.

Terminal II-B is for international flights operated by foreign airlines handled by Air India -- Air Mauritius, All Nippon Airways, Alymeda Democratic, Bangladesh Biman, Egypt Air, El Al, Ethiopian Airlines, Iran Air, Kenya Airways, Korean Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South Africa Airways, Syrian Arab Airlines and Yemen Airways.

Terminal II-C is dedicated to Air India flights to and from Mumbai. The Maharajah Lounge for first and business passengers houses a business center, library, bar and music room. The transit lounge also has a business center, as well as a gym and sleeping areas. There is also another lounge for unaccompanied minors.

Chhatrapati Shivaji international is the busiest airport in India, with about 45 airlines operating around 300 flights a day. Currently, 12 million passengers and 150,000 tons of international cargo are handled each year.

A proposal to build a second international airport at Navi Mumbai is being studied. Civil aviation officials said the new airport will help in decongesting Chhatrapati Shivaji well as promote economic development.

Travel tax

A travel tax of 500 rupees per passenger (including infants who may not be occupying seats) is levied for all international travelers. Those bound for neighboring countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Maldives pay 150 rupees. This must be paid in rupees.

If the airline ticket is purchased in India, the tax is incorporated in the fee. Otherwise, the charge is not incorporated and must be paid at the Travel Tax Counter (State Bank of India's extension counter) before check-in counters of the various airlines. A few airlines can collect the tax at their offices upon request.

Telecommunications

Coin-operated telephones are found at convenient locations throughout the airport. Manned telephone booths are also open at all terminals around the clock.

For local calls within Mumbai, the user should put in a new one-rupee coin. Public phones do not accept phone cards.

Trolleys

There are plenty of baggage trolleys free at all terminal buildings. Porters can help with luggage. Porters are part of an association; avoid unauthorized porters and touts outside the terminal buildings.

Porterage is supposed to be free of charge. The usual tip is 10 rupees per piece.

Other facilities

Hotel bookings and pre-paid taxis are available. There are no shops in the arrival area. Departure lounges are marginally better equipped for shopping. They also have a restaurant, snack bar and exchange. However, check-in and immigration are chaotic because of the bunching of flights at night.

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Airlines

Following are the airlines serving Mumbai airport:
Terminal I-A: Indian Airlines and its subsidiary Alliance Air
Terminal I-B: Domestic private airlines Gujarat Airways, Jet Airways, NEPC, Skyline NEPC, Sahara India, Spanair, and UP Air
Terminal II-A: Air France, Air Lanka, Alitalia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Pakistan International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Saudia, Swiss Air, Turkish Airlines
Terminal II-B: Air India, Air Mauritius, All Nippon Airways, Alymeda Democratic, Bangladesh Biman, Egypt Air, El Al, Ethiopian Airlines, Iran Air, Kenya Airways, Korean Airways, Royal Nepal Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South Africa Airways, Syrian Arab Airlines, Yemen Airways

City Maps and Country Guidebooks

City maps and country guidebooks are available in the bookstall within the airport, and also at the tourism department's counter.

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Bank/Money Changer

There are State Bank of India extension counters within the terminal where one can change currency into rupees, or back into foreign currency before departure. The bank counters are conveniently located and visible in the main arrival and departure halls.

It is advisable to have at least 200 rupees in 10-rupee notes since change virtually does not exist in India. The smaller notes will come in handy for tips.

State Bank of India
Tel: 838-0539 (arrival), 838-0540 (departure)
Hours: 24/7
Services: Money changing, accepting foreign travel tax

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Airport Transportation

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is about 25 kilometers from the main business district of Mumbai. The airport is not served by bus or train. The only means of getting to the city is by car or taxi.

Travel time from the airport to the city is about one hour, but during peak hours, it can take at least two hours.


Taxi

There are yellow-top or blue air-conditioned taxis available round-the-clock to take you to the city. These are located immediately outside the airport terminals.

From the airport to the business district, the fare is approximately Rs242 in an air-conditioned taxi; at night between midnight and 5 a.m., the charge is Rs302.

The rates to other destinations are displayed prominently at the pre-paid taxi counters in the Arrival side of the terminal buildings. To nearby places or the domestic airport, the rate for an air-conditioned cab is Rs103 in the daytime and Rs112 after midnight. To Worli, mid-way between the airport and the business district, it is Rs179 and Rs260 respectively.

Car

There are car rental counters open 24 hours at the airport. Self-drive cars are not available.

Deepa Travels Pte Ltd.
Tel: +91-22 822-8685
Credit cards not yet accepted, but expected soon

Nataraj Corporation
Tel: +91-22 835-0559

Rates

For non air-conditioned cars: Rs600 for 4 hours or 40 km. (whichever is less); Rs950 for 8 hours; for every additional kilometer, the charge is Rs8 per km.; and for every hour over and above the 8-hour period, an additional Rs50 is levied
For air-conditioned cars: Rs1,000 for 4 hours or 40 km. (whichever is less); Rs1,650 for 8 hours. Every additional kilometer is charged Rs8.50 extra; and every hour over and above the 8 hours, Rs55 extra.
Chauffeurs charge Rs100 to Rs150 per day.