Key hubs
Mumbai airport and railway station
- Airport
- Bombay High (BOM) is the main airport, about 30 km from South Mumbai; roughly 45–90 minutes by road depending on traffic. The domestic and international terminals are close together.
- Railway stations
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST or VT) is the grand Victorian station in Fort, major for long-distance trains. Local trains run from other stations but are crowded for tourists.
- Getting around
- A car and driver is safest and most comfortable for getting between neighbourhoods. Local auto-rickshaws and app cabs work but traffic is heavy. The suburban train network is cheap but crowded.
How to reach Mumbai by air
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) has domestic and international terminals well connected to the city, though traffic can make transfers slow at peak times.
How to reach Mumbai by train
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mumbai Central are the main long-distance stations, with extensive connections across India.
How to reach Mumbai by road
Mumbai is linked by national highways to Pune, Nashik and Ahmedabad; the city's own roads are frequently congested.
Getting around Mumbai
A car and driver is the most comfortable way to move between neighbourhoods; the suburban train network is fast and cheap but very crowded, and traffic affects road cabs and autos alike.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Mumbai
- Hire a car with a driver for the full day if possible. Traffic is chaotic and pavements are crowded; a car provides rest, coolness and flexibility.
- Choose a hotel with a lift, reliable air conditioning and easy car access. Colaba and Fort have narrow lanes where cars sometimes cannot reach the door. Bandra or Marine Drive are quieter, with wider streets.
- Street food is iconic but carries risk if you have a sensitive stomach. Stick to busy, high-turnover stalls, avoid water, and consider that unfamiliar food can upset digestion.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.