Getting Around Mumbai
Find the best way to access the city from anywhere.
Mumbai Airport Information
If you are flying into Mumbai for a meeting, conference, or event, you will mainly use Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), which is the city’s primary airport and one of the busiest in India. It has two main terminals and handles domestic as well as international flights, with plenty of cabs, app taxis, and buses available right outside, making it quite simple for business travelers and event guests to reach hotels or venues across the city. A second airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport, has also opened on the city’s eastern side to support growing traffic and will be especially useful for events and business activity around Navi Mumbai and Panvel.
Main airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (code: BOM), located in Andheri (East), about 6–8 km from key business areas like Andheri–SEEPZ and 20–25 km from South Mumbai (Colaba/Fort) depending on route.
Terminals: Terminal 2 handles most international and several domestic full-service flights; Terminal 1 handles many low-cost domestic flights (check your ticket to know your terminal).
New airport: Navi Mumbai International Airport near Panvel serves Navi Mumbai and upcoming business districts; it started operations in late 2025 and is planned to take part of Mumbai’s domestic and international load over time.
Getting to the city: You can use prepaid taxis, app-based cabs (Uber, Ola), metered taxis, or AC buses; travel time to main business hubs usually ranges from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
For event planners: Choose venues in Andheri, Bandra–Kurla Complex (BKC), or Powai if you want shorter airport transfers for large groups, and plan buffer time for traffic, especially during morning and evening peaks.
Facilities: Lounges, business centers, free Wi‑Fi, currency exchange, ATMs, duty-free shopping, and plenty of food options make it comfortable for delegates waiting between flights.
Main airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (code: BOM), located in Andheri (East), about 6–8 km from key business areas like Andheri–SEEPZ and 20–25 km from South Mumbai (Colaba/Fort) depending on route.
Terminals: Terminal 2 handles most international and several domestic full-service flights; Terminal 1 handles many low-cost domestic flights (check your ticket to know your terminal).
New airport: Navi Mumbai International Airport near Panvel serves Navi Mumbai and upcoming business districts; it started operations in late 2025 and is planned to take part of Mumbai’s domestic and international load over time.
Getting to the city: You can use prepaid taxis, app-based cabs (Uber, Ola), metered taxis, or AC buses; travel time to main business hubs usually ranges from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
For event planners: Choose venues in Andheri, Bandra–Kurla Complex (BKC), or Powai if you want shorter airport transfers for large groups, and plan buffer time for traffic, especially during morning and evening peaks.
Facilities: Lounges, business centers, free Wi‑Fi, currency exchange, ATMs, duty-free shopping, and plenty of food options make it comfortable for delegates waiting between flights.
Mumbai Train Information
Mumbai’s train system is like the city’s lifeline and is often the fastest way to move between different parts of the city, especially during busy hours. There are long-distance trains connecting Mumbai to other Indian cities, and a huge suburban “local train” network that daily commuters use to reach offices, events, and markets. For business travelers and event planners, understanding the main lines and key stations can help you pick event venues that are easier for people to reach.
Long-distance stations: Major intercity stations include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai Central, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Dadar, and Bandra Terminus; these connect Mumbai to most big Indian cities by express and superfast trains.
Suburban (local) network: Mumbai locals run on three main lines – Western Line (Churchgate to Dahanu Road), Central Line (CSMT to Kasara/Khopoli), and Harbour Line (CSMT to Panvel and Goregaon/Andheri).
Frequency and timing: Local trains generally run from around 4:00 AM to about 1:00 AM, with very frequent services (every 2–5 minutes) on busy stretches during the day.
For first-time visitors: Avoid peak office hours (roughly 8–11 AM and 5–8 PM) if you are not used to crowds, and start with second class or AC local compartments for a more comfortable experience.
Event planner tip: When inviting local attendees, choose venues near major stations like CSMT, Churchgate, Dadar, Kurla, Andheri, Bandra, Thane, or Ghatkopar so guests from different parts of the city can arrive more easily by train.
Tickets and apps: Tickets and passes can be bought at station counters or using the UTS mobile app; information apps like m-Indicator and official railway tools help check routes and timings in real time.
Long-distance stations: Major intercity stations include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai Central, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Dadar, and Bandra Terminus; these connect Mumbai to most big Indian cities by express and superfast trains.
Suburban (local) network: Mumbai locals run on three main lines – Western Line (Churchgate to Dahanu Road), Central Line (CSMT to Kasara/Khopoli), and Harbour Line (CSMT to Panvel and Goregaon/Andheri).
Frequency and timing: Local trains generally run from around 4:00 AM to about 1:00 AM, with very frequent services (every 2–5 minutes) on busy stretches during the day.
For first-time visitors: Avoid peak office hours (roughly 8–11 AM and 5–8 PM) if you are not used to crowds, and start with second class or AC local compartments for a more comfortable experience.
Event planner tip: When inviting local attendees, choose venues near major stations like CSMT, Churchgate, Dadar, Kurla, Andheri, Bandra, Thane, or Ghatkopar so guests from different parts of the city can arrive more easily by train.
Tickets and apps: Tickets and passes can be bought at station counters or using the UTS mobile app; information apps like m-Indicator and official railway tools help check routes and timings in real time.
Mumbai Public Information
Getting around Mumbai without a private car is very doable because the city offers many public transport options like local trains, metro, buses, taxis, and autos. This mix makes it easier for travelers to reach hotels, offices, exhibition centers, and tourist spots, though roads can be crowded and travel times may vary a lot with traffic and weather. Knowing the basic options helps planners schedule realistic transfer times for delegates and choose locations that are well connected.
Main transport modes: Mumbai Suburban Railway (local trains), Mumbai Metro, BEST city buses, taxis, auto‑rickshaws (not allowed in some South Mumbai areas), and app-based cabs are widely used every day.
Metro network: The growing Mumbai Metro network connects key corridors like Versova–Andheri–Ghatkopar and Dahisar–Andheri–DN Nagar, and links with local train stations to reduce road travel time for office and event trips.
Buses: BEST buses (including AC buses) cover most neighborhoods and can be a budget-friendly way to move participants within the city; route and timing details are available through the BEST or Chalo apps.
Road links: Important road connectors include the Bandra–Worli Sea Link and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu), which help reduce travel time between Western suburbs, South Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai when traffic is heavy.
For travelers: Use a mix of metro plus local trains for speed and app cabs or autos for last‑mile travel; check live traffic on maps before leaving for the airport or important meetings.
For event planners: Prefer venues close to a combination of a local train station, metro station, and main road (for buses and cabs) so attendees have multiple options, and clearly share recommended routes and peak-hour warnings in event communication.
Main transport modes: Mumbai Suburban Railway (local trains), Mumbai Metro, BEST city buses, taxis, auto‑rickshaws (not allowed in some South Mumbai areas), and app-based cabs are widely used every day.
Metro network: The growing Mumbai Metro network connects key corridors like Versova–Andheri–Ghatkopar and Dahisar–Andheri–DN Nagar, and links with local train stations to reduce road travel time for office and event trips.
Buses: BEST buses (including AC buses) cover most neighborhoods and can be a budget-friendly way to move participants within the city; route and timing details are available through the BEST or Chalo apps.
Road links: Important road connectors include the Bandra–Worli Sea Link and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu), which help reduce travel time between Western suburbs, South Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai when traffic is heavy.
For travelers: Use a mix of metro plus local trains for speed and app cabs or autos for last‑mile travel; check live traffic on maps before leaving for the airport or important meetings.
For event planners: Prefer venues close to a combination of a local train station, metro station, and main road (for buses and cabs) so attendees have multiple options, and clearly share recommended routes and peak-hour warnings in event communication.