Travel to Mumbai (Bombay)

Flying to Mumbai (Bombay)

Air India, British Airways and Jet Airways operate direct flights to Mumbai from the UK. If you're travelling from the USA, there are direct flights with Air India and United. The cheapest time to fly is during monsoon season (June to September), when it's extremely hot and humid in Mumbai.

Flight times

From London - 9 hours; New York - 15 hours;Los Angeles - 21 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Toronto - 17 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Sydney - 15 hours (including stopover).

Travel by road

For those brave enough to tackle Mumbai's congested roads, driving is on the left. Foreign drivers must be over 18 and possess an International Driving Permit. Consider using taxis or hiring a car and driver for longer journeys. Those taking their own car to India must obtain a Carnet de Passage from an international motoring association before entering India.

Speed limits are 50-80kph (31-50mph). Motorists should seek insurance cover from an Indian insurer. Visit www.wiaaindia.com for more information.

Emergency breakdown services

Western India Automobile Association (tel: +91 22 2204 1085) provides a limited breakdown service within Mumbai for members.

Routes

National Highways (NH) 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 17 provide connecting routes between Mumbai and the rest of India. Take NH3 for Agra; NH4 for Chennai via Pune, and NH8 for New Delhi.

Coaches

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (tel: 1800 221 250, in India only; www.msrtc.gov.in) operates coach services from Mumbai. Private bus companies tend to have faster, more comfortable services. The main government and private bus terminal is located opposite Central Station, on Bellasis Road. Destinations include Goa, Pune and Udaipur.

Time to city

From Delhi - 23 hours; Agra - 22 hours; Goa - 10 hours; Hyderabad - 12 hours.

Travel by Rail

Services

Mumbai is very well served by its railways, both for suburban and national routes. During the rush hour (0700-1100 and 1600-2100), trains are extremely crowded and best avoided.

Western Railway services depart from Mumbai Central (MC) Station, Boman Behram Road, while the majority of Central Railway services depart from the magnificent CST building (formerly Victoria Terminus), on Dr D Navroji Road, at the corner of St George's Road. A few Central Railway trains depart from Dadar, a few stations north of CST.

Operators

Three train systems operate out of Mumbai but the most useful for visitors are the Western Railway (www.wr.indianrailways.gov.in) and Central Railway (www.cr.indianrailways.gov.in). See the Indian Railways website (www.indianrail.gov.in) for timetables. A computerised enquiry system for arrivals and departure information is available (tel: 131 or 134).

Central Railway handles services to the east, south and a handful to the north, while Western Railway covers services to the north.

Journey times

From Bangalore - 23 hours; Delhi - 20 hours; Goa - 8 hours; Jaipur - 18 hours; Kolkata - 31 hours; Varanasi - 26 hours.