Mumbai

Travel to Mumbai

The majority of people arrive in Mumbai by plane, although Mumbai is most impressive when reached by boat, with the Gateway to India right at the harbour. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the destination for all inbound flights, and you can get cheap flights from all across the country. For the best fares, book early and be prepared to be flexible on dates.
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport website

On arrival in Mumbai

The easiest way to travel to a hotel in Mumbai is by taxi, and it's best to take a prepaid coupon taxi to avoid bartering or being overcharged. These will generally take you to anywhere in the southern tourist district for the fixed fee. Alternatively, you can take a bus from the airport to Vile Parle Station, from where you can take a train to your accommodation. This route should be avoided in the mornings when the route is busy with commuters, and you should preferably travel first class. Car rental is also available, both with and without a driver.

Getting around Mumbai

There is a reasonable train network, particularly in the southern and central areas of Mumbai, which can easily get you around the city. In addition, Mumbai has a pretty comprehensive bus network, with buses' destinations marked in English. Ferries from the harbour can get you to the outlying islands, and taxis are on hand in case you need to make a quick journey. Yellow and black taxis are cheaper but less comfortable than the air-conditioned branded varieties.

Travelling further afield

Trains run from Mumbai all across India, including to Goa and Mangalore, the popular beach destinations in the country. There are different terminals for eastern, western and northern areas so make sure you check before you travel. Intercity bus travel is also very popular and there are a huge number of destinations to choose from with regularly departing services. The roads around Mumbai are fairly good so taking short to mid-length journeys is a great idea to see more of the area. To travel a long way you can book an internal flight to minimise travel time.