Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Intl Airport (BOM) Flights & Information

Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), previously known as Sahar International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in India, serving as a key gateway to Mumbai, the country's financial capital. As the country's second-busiest airport, it handles a significant volume of domestic and international traffic. Mumbai's status as an economic hub, cultural center and popular tourist destination makes the airport a vital point of connectivity for millions of passengers annually.

BOM operates round-the-clock, handling over 950 daily aircraft movements. Its state-of-the-art facilities cater to approximately 48 million passengers annually, connecting Mumbai to over 50 international destinations and several domestic destinations. The next time you are flying to Mumbai, this in-depth guide with expert tips will help you navigate the airport from arrival to departure.

Arriving at BOM

Arriving at Mumbai Airport, especially during rush hour, can be quite a busy experience. The airport operates 2 passenger terminals: Terminal 1 primarily caters to domestic flights while Terminal 2 handles both international and domestic flights.

Terminal 2 is the airport's standout terminal, known for its architectural design and vast operational capacity. Depending on the time of day, clearing immigration and customs at T2 can take 40 to 50 minutes on average. However, during peak hours, the process may extend to 2 hours. For instance, during one of my recent trips, I had to wait just over an hour and a half to complete the immigration process.

BOM uses advanced technology including bio scanners and automatic passport check gates. In fact, Mumbai Airport has 68 eGates, the most of any airport in India. Furthermore, India has developed its own digital biometric scanner, DigiYatra, to speed up the check-in process – 34 eGates are dedicated to DigiYatra users at BOM.

After clearing immigration and customs, collect your baggage. You may need to pass through a secondary inspection area next. Customs officers generally assess passengers based on their flight origin and other factors, and while most passengers are cleared quickly, those flagged for further checks may experience slight delays. If you are selected for a thorough inspection, just stay calm and complete the screening.

Getting to and from the airport by public transportation

Mumbai is one of the best-connected cities in India and its airports are seamlessly integrated into the city’s public transportation network. Upon exiting Terminal 2 you can choose from various modes of transportation, including the city’s BEST buses, local taxis with government-approved fares and auto rickshaws. I usually prefer an auto rickshaw to reach Mumbai’s lifeline, the suburban railway, which can take you to various parts of the "city of dreams."

A recent addition to the public transport offerings is a dedicated airport bus service provided by Chalo Mobility Private Limited. These air-conditioned buses offer comfortable seating, decent legroom and a charging port for mobile phones and laptops, free of charge. Moreover, the bus service has fewer stops compared to regular city buses. I’ve personally used this bus service twice while heading to BOM and found it very convenient and comfortable.

Getting to and from BOM by car

For private vehicle transportation, you can choose from various options, including Uber, Ola cabs and Meru cabs among others. Many hotels, such as the Marriott, ITC, Holiday Inn and The Lalit offer private airport transfers, though these usually come at an extra cost.

Among app-based services, Ola and Uber are the most popular rideshare options. They are reliable, affordable and most importantly safe. One of the key advantages of using these apps is the ability to track your journey via GPS and share your location with friends or family for added security. Another benefit is that if you accidentally leave personal belongings in the cab, it’s easier to retrieve them.

Overall, it’s advisable to book your ride in advance or just before exiting the terminal, as prices for rides usually tend to surge after you leave the airport and you will need to pay extra. I’ve found the rideshares to offer the most efficient way to reach my destination, especially during peak hours.

If you're driving your own vehicle, the airport has a multi-level parking facility, though parking fees can be a bit high compared to other means of transportation.

Security lines

Security checks are conducted at Level 4 in Terminal 2 and are super quick at BOM. I’ve never waited more than 5 minutes to clear security, but this can vary depending on the time of day. The airport claims to be able to process 8,000 passengers per hour after recent updates.

Check-in counters at BOM open 4 hours before departure and close 1 hour before the scheduled flight time. I recommend always trying to reach the airport at least 3 hours before your flight. Web check-in is mandatory and can be completed up to 48 hours ahead of the flight.

If you are only carrying a cabin bag, you can bypass the longer baggage drop lines. The airport also has self-service baggage drop facilities available for both domestic and international passengers – they are located in Terminal 2 Row D.

During rush hours, the baggage drop at the check-in facility takes 40 to 45 minutes, but it can be really quick if you are traveling with business class or first class tickets.

Free Wi-Fi at the airport

BOM offers free Wi-Fi, although it may not be the fastest option for streaming videos or downloading large files. With an average speed of 20 Mbps, it’s adequate for sending emails, browsing and messaging. Connecting to the airport Wi-Fi is simple if you have a local SIM card. If you’re flying internationally and don’t have a local SIM, you can visit the airport help desk for connection assistance.

I suggest downloading a digital copy of your boarding pass in advance, as airport Wi-Fi can sometimes be slow to connect, especially when you’re trying to access your boarding pass or other important documents in real time. I always recommend keeping a printed version or a PDF of your boarding pass to avoid delays at security checkpoints. I normally download the PDF and keep all my documents at easy reach.

Souvenir shopping

BOM has an impressive selection of retail outlets, offering everything from essential travel items to luxury goods. I like the way it is conveniently organized to guide you through a terminal to explore them. Even though prices can be higher than those found in the city, if you want some souvenirs then it's worth exploring some art and cultural shops showcasing items of Indian cultural and religious significance.

Duty-free shops are very popular at BOM, offering a wide range of products, including cosmetics, alcohol and electronics. The best thing is that it can help you explore new items that are not available in the local market. If you’re an aviation enthusiast, I recommend visiting the Mach9 store, which offers a variety of aviation-related merchandise.

Lounges at BOM

BOM offers several lounge options across both terminals. However, most of these lounges require access through airline loyalty programs, credit cards or a paid pass. My personal favorite is the Adani Lounge, which offers a good balance between affordability and amenities.

These lounges are known for offering a quiet and comfortable environment with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, charging points, complimentary meals and beverages, making them a perfect choice for travelers with long layovers or early flights.

Other airport alternatives

Mumbai will soon welcome its second airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), which is also owned and managed by Adani Airports Limited. Aimed at easing the growing passenger load at BOM, the new airport is located around 31 miles away from BOM. Both of these airports will be well connected by road and suburban train.

Some nearby major airports include Ahmedabad (AMD), Pune (PNQ) and Goa (GOI) but they all have limited point-to-point connection and Mumbai is far better than all, as the others have limited international connectivity compared to BOM. With its modern facilities, advanced technology and crucial role in international and domestic aviation, BOM is set to remain a major hub in the fastest-growing aviation market.