Layover In Mumbai (Bombay), India
Jan 07, 2010 | Comments 0
Stuck on a Mumbai layover at the Mumbai-Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)? The airport is India’s second busiest, and has won the award for the “Best Airport In India.” However, it has also been ranked as one of the most delayed airports in the world. You’ll find, however, that there is plenty to do inside and outside the airport to help you bide your time on your layover. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.
Inside the airport, you can find ATM machines, postal services as well as restaurant, cafes and lounges. Wireless Internet access is available free of charge in both terminals, and there’s also a cyber cafe. To help you get situated, you can find an airport map here.
The airport offers Left Luggage facilities for those looking to store their bags and see some sites. Left Luggage kiosks available both at Domestic and International terminals. Passengers can also drop off their luggage at Domestic Terminal kiosks and collect them at the International Terminal kiosk, and vice versa. Baggage can be stored for 180 days. For rates, click here.
The airport is located about 19 miles north of Mumbai, which makes some sightseeing do-able for those who have long layovers. Make sure to leave plenty of time on both ends for traffic and congestion. To travel into the city, you can get a pre-paid taxi or metered taxi. Recommended taxi time to the city center is 90-180 minutes, so make sure you have enough time (and leave extra time for customs) to catch a connecting flight. You can also reserve a rail ticket in Terminal 2 for transport to the rail system (Mumbai CST Terminus). City buses and pre-paid coach services are also available at Arrivals of Terminal 2.
LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Mumbai:
Gateway Of India
Built as a memorial to the English King George V in 1911, The Gateway of India at end of C. Shivaji Maharaj Marg Mumbai and looks out into the ocean. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel’s www.tajhotels.com Sea Lounge is across the site, and is a great place to view the Gateway, and a great site in and of itself
Colaba
Colaba is the popular tourist district that includes the aforementioned Gateway of India, as well as museums, shops and vendors on the Colaba Causeway and the Sassoon Dock, where you can watch fishermen come in with their catches.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Considered to be a symbol of hope, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is India’s masterpiece railway station. Built in Gothic architecture with stained-glass windows, spires, domes and pillars, there are intricate animal images carved into this structure.
Haji Ali Mosque
Built to honor and house the remains of the Muslim saint Haji Ali, the white mosque lies on a jetty in the Arabian sea. It is set 500 yards into the sea and can be reached only in low tide. During high tide, the connecting causeway is submerged making it appear as if the mosque is floating.
Jain Temple
Built in 1904, the Jain Temple (also known as the Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple) houses famous paintings and sculptures. It is a famous Jain temple, considered to be one of the most beautiful in India.
None of these interest you on your Mumbai stopover? Check out Travbuddy’s list of 101 Things To Do In Mumbai.
Have a suggestion for a Mumbai Layover? Leave a comment below!
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