Mumbai (Bombay) International Airport
2010 Worst Airport
REGION: ASIA
Runner-Up
Traveller Comments....
"Mosquitoes are aggressive and you are just a sitting duck. Pack allowable amount of insect repellent" - Lariat
"I was surprised to see Mumbai, India on the "5 worst" list. I would put it on the "5 best" list. " (?)
"There were great sleeping lounge chairs available in the waiting area."
"Compared to rest of our stay in India, the Bombay international airport is quite clean and comfortable" (xChaos)
"Being infected by malaria (or something worse, like denge fever) while changing planes at Bombay would be really pretty shocking headline news - but I don't believe it happens very often" (xChaos)
"I was surprised to see that in addition to chairs, they had some adjustable chairs that could also be used as a bed." (Krishna)
"2 other people who tried sleeping on the floor were moved on by an irate fellow passenger, who seemed to find this behaviour inappropriate" (Roisin)
"The heat and smell was ominous as soon as i left the plane." (Amanda Hillis)
"I have travelled quite a lot around Asia but this experience left me angry and has totally put me off flying. I will never visit Mumbai airport again." (?)
"There is very light regard given to people in both the departure and arrival. Both are equal in design and smell." (dseq)
Recent Review
After landing past midnight and taking a bus to the terminal from the aircraft parking spot, we were greeted with a sight of sea of Muslim men and women returning from the holy pilgrimage. Had it not been the large sign in black and yellow on top of the terminal building proclaiming its name, I would've thought I were in Mecca! The queue to get through immigration was more than a mile long - however the processing was swift with numerous counters. Getting bags out of the cramped baggage collection area was a challenge though, since the carousels are notoriously short and people were literally standing on top of one another yet helplessly seeing their bags pass by - just out of reach :) Once you get your bags and clear customs - there is absolutely no waiting area (@ Arrivals) - you need to either exit the terminal or take the transfer shuttle to either of the domestic terminals. I had more than 12 hours to pass before my domestic connection hence after converting some currency at a bank located within the arrivals area, I decided to go to the domestic terminal. To my surprise, the folks @ the domestic airline wouldn't take my baggage before the check-in time! So I had to wait there with my bags for full 12 hours, depending on total strangers to look over my bags while I went to the bathroom a couple of times. There is a small cafeteria in the check-in area selling snacks and beverages at exorbitant prices. I later learnt that there is a much better cafeteria in the pre-boarding area. The newly renovated departure area @ the international terminal is surprisingly good and well-maintained with loads of eating places. All in all, I'd say not too bad an airport, but a few things need to change to increase passenger comfort.
The last review for this airport was in 2011. Have you been there recently? Tell us about it!
Mumbai Airport Guide
Airport Lounges
- Clipper Bar Lounge - Location: Domestic Terminal 1A, landside,
- Clipper Bar Lounge - Location: Domestic Terminal 1B, landside
- Clipper Lounge - Location: International Terminal 2B, airside, opposite Gate 14
- Lufthansa Lounge - Location: Terminal 2B
- Emirates Lounge - Location: Terminal 2B
- British Airways Lounge - Location: Terminal 2B
- Celebration Lounge - Location: International Terminal 2C, airside, open 24 hours
- Marharajah Lounge - Location: Terminal 2C
Airport WiFi / Internet
Free wireless internet access is available at the Mumbai airport.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the Mumbai Airport does not appeal to you, there are hotels near the airport....
- Sahara Star - opposite the Domestic Airport
- Hotel Airport International - 2 minute walk from the Domestic Airport.
- Holiday Inn
- Courtyard by Marriott - Airport shuttle service (reservation required), fee: 1000 INR
More Services, Facilities and Things to Do at the Airport
- Food / Dining
>>>Landside - Terminal 1A: Cupa Café • Nashta Chai • Café Coffee Day | Terminal 1B: Café Coffee Day Lounge & Restaurant • Baskin Robbins • Hog dog • Hot Corn • Balaji Snacks • Sky Bar • Barista Coffee • and more | Terminal 2B: US Pizza • Costa Café • Pepsi kiosk • Café Coffee Day • Food Court (with KFC, Pizza Hut, Indian Paradise • The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf • Noodle) and more | Terminal 2C: Snack Bar • Café Coffee Day
>>>Airside - Domestic 1A: Cupa Cafe • Nashta Chai • Cafe Coffee Day | Domestic 1B: Cafe Coffee Day • Baskin Robbins • Hog Dog • Sky Bar & more / International 2B - US Pizza • Costa Cafe • Pepsi Kiosk • Cafe Coffee Day | International 2C: Snack Bar - ATMs / Cash Machines
Locations: Terminal 1B - Arrivals Level | Terminal 1B - Departures Level | Terminal 2B - Arrivals Level | Terminal 2C - Arrivals Level - Showers
Information not available - Luggage Storage / Lockers
Location: Domestic Terminal 1A, Domestic Terminal 1B, International Terminal 2B, International Terminal 2C - Car Rentals
Information not available
Airport Hours
open 24 hours
Getting Around: Inter-Terminal Transportation
The inter-terminal bus operate between the domestic and international terminals every 30 minutes.
Domestic passengers need to collect their baggage and then produce their confirmed tickets before they can use this service. International passengers can use of this service only after they have cleared customs and possess confirmed tickets for onward domestic flights.
Mumbai Travel Sites
- Mumbai Hotel Deals - compare rates, check availability and read reviews
>>>Read All Bombay Airport Reviews
Last Updated: 24 Nov 2010
The information in this Airport Guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airport's and their web sites. When you see "information not available" and "unknown", the airport has a lousy web site and/or has been uncooperative in providing information. The information above is subject to change without notice. Use it for informational purposes only to help you during your stay. To report errors, or to add/change any items quoted in the guide, please email me.
