Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

Overview

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is the primary aviation gateway for Mumbai, the financial and entertainment capital of India. Serving over 50 million passengers annually, it is one of the busiest airports in the country and a major hub for both domestic and international travel. The airport is named after the 17th-century Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is operated by Adani Airports. It handles a vast mix of traffic: business travellers heading to Mumbai’s corporate districts, leisure tourists bound for the city’s historic and cultural sites, and connecting passengers flying onward to destinations across India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond. The airport is also a key hub for India’s largest airline, IndiGo, and the full-service carrier Vistara, as well as a focus city for Air India. Its two terminals – Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international and some domestic) – are designed to handle high volumes efficiently, though peak hours around 10 pm and 11 pm can see significant crowds.

Location & Access

The airport is situated in the suburb of Sahar, about 30 kilometres north of Mumbai’s city centre (Nariman Point) and 15 kilometres from the commercial district of Bandra-Kurla Complex. It lies along the Western Express Highway, a major arterial road connecting the airport to southern and northern Mumbai. The surrounding areas include Vile Parle, Andheri, and Santacruz.

By road, taxis and ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber are widely available, with prepaid taxi counters at both terminals. The journey to the city centre typically takes 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. For rail access, the nearest suburban railway station is Vile Parle on the Western Line, about a 10-minute rickshaw ride from the terminals. However, the airport is not directly connected to the Mumbai Metro as of now; the upcoming Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) will include a station at the airport once completed. Public buses operated by BEST connect the airport to various parts of the city, though they can be crowded. For those driving, the airport has paid multi-storey car parks and paid parking lots in both terminals, with clear signage.

Facilities

The airport offers a range of facilities aimed at passenger comfort. Both terminals are wheelchair-accessible, with accessible car parks, entrances, and toilets throughout. There are dedicated changing tables in restrooms for families. Baggage storage services are available for passengers who wish to explore the city without luggage. Toilets are well-maintained and plentiful. The airport also provides on-site services such as currency exchange, ATMs, and information desks. Free Wi-Fi is available for a limited duration (typically 30 minutes to an hour) after registration. Terminal 2, in particular, is known for its spacious design, with numerous lounges, duty-free shops, and food outlets ranging from local street-food-inspired eateries to international chains. However, note that the airport is not open 24 hours; it closes overnight (typically from around 1 am to 4 am), during which passengers are required to deplane and proceed to landside areas. It is advisable to check flight schedules if you have an early morning departure.

About the Region

Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, is a sprawling coastal city on the Arabian Sea. It is India’s economic powerhouse, housing the Bombay Stock Exchange, the Reserve Bank of India, and the headquarters of numerous multinational corporations. The city is also the heart of Bollywood, the world’s largest film industry, and attracts tourists to landmarks like the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Elephanta Caves (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station. The region is known for its vibrant street food culture, from vada pav to pav bhaji, and its colonial-era architecture. The airport serves as a gateway not only to Mumbai but also to the Konkan coast, including popular beach destinations like Goa and Alibaug, as well as religious sites such as the Shirdi Sai Baba temple (about 250 km away). The surrounding Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offer hill stations like Lonavala and Matheran within a few hours’ drive.

Practical Information

The airport’s official website is https://csmia.adaniairports.com/, where you can find real-time flight information, terminal maps, and ground transport options. For assistance, call +91 22 6685 1010. The airport operates on a schedule aligned with flight timings; it is generally open for passenger access during flight hours but may close temporarily during the night. Peak hours are around 10 pm and 11 pm, so expect longer queues at check-in and security during these times. Both terminals have designated smoking zones, and medical facilities are available for emergencies. Remember that Mumbai’s weather is tropical: hot and humid from March to October, with heavy monsoon rains from June to September, so plan accordingly with light clothing and an umbrella if travelling during the rainy season.