There are yellow-top or blue air conditioned taxis available immediately
outside the terminals. From the airport to the business district, the fare
is approximately 242 rupees in an air conditioned taxi; between midnight
and 5 a.m., the charge is 302 rupees. Rates to other destinations are
displayed prominently at the taxi counters in the arrival buildings. To
nearby places or the domestic airport, the rate for an air-conditioned cab
is 103 rupees in the daytime and 112 after midnight. To Worli, midway
between the airport and the business district, it is 179 rupees and 260
rupees respectively. You are not obliged to tip the driver even if he says
otherwise.
Cab drivers are fairly honest in Mumbai. But if a driver refuses to use the
meter and asks a flat rate, get out and get another. There are over 55,000
in the city, and an eager cabbie waiting to get that fare.
Taxi flagfall is 11 rupees for ordinary yellow-tops, and 14 rupees for the
blue air conditioned taxis. Between midnight and 5 a.m., flagfall rates go
up to 14 and 17 rupees, respectively.
Since there are still some mechanical meters that have not been calibrated,
flagfall may show 1 rupee. Pay around 11-1/2 times this for ordinary
yellow-tops and 14-1/2 times for air-conditioned ones. The driver has a
ready-reckoner which should be referred to when paying the fare.
Taxis with electronic meters show the correct fare.
The taxi rate is around 8 rupees/km. for ordinary taxis, 11.50 for air
conditioned ones.
