Mumbai Airport Layover: A Traveler's Guide To Transit

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (or Mumbai International Airport) is one of the busiest airports in the world. While you could spend your layover in the airport lounges, restaurants and shops, you could also use the time to explore the city. You'll need a minimum of five hours to make it worth your while, but if you have six hours, you can visit Juhu Beach, Iskcon temple and some Bollywood stars' houses. If you have nine hours, you can see the city centre at Fort, Colaba, where many tourist sites are situated.

Sleeping at Mumbai airport

If you're looking for a place to sleep during a layover at Mumbai Airport, there are a few options available. Inside Terminal 2, you can find comfortable chairs, benches, and bed-like couches near Gates 85 and 86. Travellers who prefer a more traditional sleeping experience can check into the transit hotel inside Terminal 2 or rent a private sleeping pod hourly inside the Aviserv Lounge, located pre-security. Additionally, several hotels are located within a few minutes of the airport, and airport transfers are available.

If you have a longer layover, such as six hours or more, you might consider leaving the airport to explore the city of Mumbai. However, keep in mind that you'll need to set aside time for clearing customs, security, and traffic, which can take up a significant portion of your layover.

Eating, shopping and lounging at Mumbai airport

Mumbai Airport has plenty of eateries and shops to keep you entertained during a layover. The airport operates national and international flights, so there's a good chance you'll be passing through.

If you're hungry, you can eat at one of the many food and beverage shops. Most shops are open from early morning to late evening, but their hours of operation vary, so it's worth checking ahead of time. You'll need your boarding pass to enter most stores.

For those who enjoy shopping, Mumbai Airport has an extensive selection of items, including designer clothing, watches, jewellery, and footwear. There are also traditional shopping options and duty-free shopping, where you can explore a range of goods without paying extra tax. Alcoholic beverages are also available, but be sure to know the guidelines before purchasing.

The layout of shops is spread over both terminals, so you can explore and take advantage of the best deals, no matter which terminal you're in.

If you're looking for a place to relax, Terminal 1C has food courts and lounging areas that are open to passengers at any time of the day.

Staying in a hotel near the airport

If you have a long layover at Mumbai Airport, you might want to consider staying in a hotel near the airport. There are several hotels within a 5-15 minute drive of both the CSIA International (Sahar) and CSIA Domestic Airport (Santacruz).

If you're looking for a quick nap, there are comfortable chairs, benches, and bed-like couches inside Terminal 2, near Gates 85 and 86. There is also a transit hotel inside Terminal 2, and you can rent a private sleeping pod hourly inside the Aviserv Lounge, located pre-security.

However, if you have a layover of 5 hours or more, it might be worth heading into the city. Mumbai is a world-class city with plenty of sightseeing opportunities, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep in mind that you'll need to set aside an hour to clear customs at the international terminal and plan for security on your way back, and traffic will take an hour each way.

With a 6-hour layover, you can visit Juhu Beach, Iskcon Temple, and some Bollywood stars' houses. If you're travelling during non-peak hours, you can also take a trip to Bandra. With a 9-hour layover, you can explore the city centre at Fort, Colaba, where many tourist sites are located.

Visiting Juhu Beach, Iskcon temple and Bollywood stars' houses

If you have a layover of at least five hours at Mumbai Airport, it's worth heading into the city. You'll need to set aside an hour to clear customs at the international terminal and you'll need to plan for security on your way back in. Traffic will also take an hour each way, so a long layover is your best bet.

If you have a six-hour layover, you can visit Juhu Beach, Iskcon temple and Bollywood stars' houses. You can also take a trip to Bandra if you are travelling during non-peak hours, as traffic can be very bad at times.

Juhu Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Mumbai and is known for its vibrant and lively atmosphere. It's a great place to take a walk, enjoy the sea breeze, and watch the sunset. The beach is also a popular spot for street food, with vendors selling everything from fresh coconut water to delicious snacks like pav bhaji and bhelpuri.

The Iskcon temple, also known as the Hare Krishna Temple, is a beautiful and serene place to visit. The temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna and Radharani and features intricate carvings, colourful murals, and a peaceful atmosphere. It's a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and learn more about Hindu culture and traditions.

Bollywood stars' houses are also a popular attraction in Mumbai. While you may not be able to go inside, you can drive by and see the impressive homes of some of the most famous Bollywood celebrities. These houses are often located in upscale neighbourhoods like Bandra and Juhu, and offer a glimpse into the glamorous lives of Bollywood stars.

Seeing the city centre at Fort, Colaba

If you have a long layover at Mumbai Airport, it's worth heading into the city centre at Fort, Colaba. You'll need a minimum of five hours before your next flight to make this worthwhile, as it takes an hour to clear customs at the international terminal and you'll need to plan for security on your way back in. Traffic will also take an hour each way, so a long layover is best.

The Fort, Colaba area is the city centre of Mumbai, and it's where many tourist sites are situated. You can hire a taxi and driver to take you sightseeing around the city.

If you don't have time to leave the airport, there are plenty of airport lounges, restaurants and shopping options to keep you entertained. There are also comfortable chairs, benches and bed-like couches near Gates 85 and 86 in Terminal 2. If you'd prefer a more traditional sleeping experience, you can check into the transit hotel inside Terminal 2 or rent a private sleeping pod hourly inside the Aviserv Lounge, located pre-security.

Frequently asked questions