Practical tips

  • If you are flying to Mumbai from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport BOM, also known as Mumbai Airport. It is the primary airport serving the city of Mumbai and its surrounding areas. The second international airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport is currently being built in the city of Navi Mumbai — a suburb of the main city and about 40 kilometers from the first airport. It will become operational in 2024.

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport uses two terminals — despite being now part of one airport, the terminals are situated more than 5 km apart from each other (there are free round-the-clock bus services available for passengers). Terminal 1 (formerly: Santacruz Airport) is located in Santacruz suburbs and houses most of the domestic flights operated by the country’s low-cost airlines. Brand new Terminal 2 (formerly: Sahar Airport) is the international terminal, located in the Sahar Village area of the Vile Parle East suburb. The terminal contains four stories and has facilities such as duty-free stores, places to eat and drink, and a regional museum.

    The Mumbai Airport links to central Mumbai by road, suburban rail, and metro. Taxis are also available outside of both terminal buildings, with pre-pay counters located after immigration and baggage pick-up areas.

    These are also the best (and cheapest) airports to fly into Mumbai. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce, and airfare decreases as a result.
Best airports to fly into Mumbai: Mumbai International Airport (BOM)
Mumbai has one international airport – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport BOM (also known as Mumbai Airport). It is located in the Santacruz suburb and stretches into the Sahar Village area of the Vile Parle East suburb. Depending on traffic, it takes 25 minutes to 1 hour to get to the city center by taxi. The second international airport, Navi Mumbai International Airport is currently being built in the city of Navi Mumbai — about 40 kilometers from the first airport.
  • Once in Mumbai, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Air IndiaAir India ExpressIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, and AirAsia Indiaairline/. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation) and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Mumbai can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of Air Arabia, Air Asia, Air India Express, Bangkok Airways, Batik Air, Flynas, and FlyDubai, and VietJet Air. If you have a layover in Mumbai and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money.

Flights to Mumbai
from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Mumbai. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Mumbai, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Direct flights from the US to Mumbai are about 14-17 hours long, depending on your point of departure: New York or San Francisco. All direct flights are served by only one airline: Air India. Currently, there are no direct flights from Canada to Mumbai.
  • Mumbai is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Mumbai with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada. The most convenient layovers for connecting flights from the US to Mumbai are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, and Frankfurt.
  • The best airlines to fly to Mumbai from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Air India, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

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Flights to Mumbai from Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Mumbai — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. Direct flights from Europe to Mumbai are about 7-9 hours long. Only some of the largest European hubs have a nonstop connection to Mumbai - among them are Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munch, Helsinki, London, Paris, Warsaw, and Zurich. Those flights arrive at the main Mumbai airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport BOM and are operated by Air India, Air France, Finnair, KLM, LOT, and Virgin Atlantic.

    If you are opting for a connecting flight from Europe to Mumbai, the most convenient (and the cheapest) options are flights with a layover in one of the biggest Indian hubs: DelhiDEL or Bengaluru BLR
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Mumbai include Air France, Air India, British Airways, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, LOT, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Mumbai from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.

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Things to know before flying to Mumbai
Airlines flying to MumbaiAir Arabia, Air Austal, Air Canada, Air France, Air India, Air India Express, Air Seychelles, Air Tanzania, AirAsia India, Aksa Air, ANA, Alliance Air, Badr Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Batik Air Malaysia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Finnair, FlexFlight, Fly Baghdad, FlyDubai, Flynas, Garuda Indonesia, Go First, Gulf Air, Iberia, IndiGo, Iran Air, Iraqi Airways, Japan Airlines, Jazeera Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, LOT, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, SAS, Saudia, Singapore Airlines, Somon Air, SpiceJet, SriLankan Airlines, SWISS, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Thai Smile, Trujet, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, VietJet Air, Virgin Atlantic, Vistara, Yemenia
Indian airlinesAir IndiaAir India ExpressIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, AirAsia India, Jet Airways, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, Star Air, FlyBig, IndiaOne Air
Airports in MumbaiChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) — also known as Mumbai International Airport
Navi Mumbai International Airport — under construction, expected opening date: July 2024
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €550 – €700 (from Europe)
✈ $600 – $800 (from USA)

Low-cost flights from Mumbai

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

The cheapest time to fly to Mumbai

The cheapest time to fly to Mumbai is during the off-peak months: from May to September. The low demand from tourists during this summer/monsoon period compels airlines to offer substantial discounts to fill their vacant seats. Between May and September, several popular routes to Mumbai are priced 20-40% lower than during the high season.

However, the cheapest fares come with some drawbacks. The summer months of May to June can be extremely hot, with temperatures reaching almost unbearable levels. Meanwhile, the monsoon months of July to September bring abundant rainfall to Mumbai.

If you can bear the heat and rain, traveling Mumbai between May to September is a great way to avoid crowds and save money. Besides the cheapest flights, you will also enjoy great discounts on accommodation, tours, and ground transportation.

Fast-track your way through Mumbai airport with DigiYatra app

DigiYatra (DY) is a digital service that allows passengers to navigate through major airports in India (including Mumbai Airport) using facial recognition as their sole form of identification.

To use the service, passengers must be registered with DigiYatra and have their identity verified through biometric facial recognition technology (FRT). The passenger’s face is linked to their boarding pass, and they can quickly pass through all the airport’s checkpoints, including airport entry, security clearance and boarding gates, simply by showing their face.

India airport - using Digiyatra app
DigiYatra app: Faster movement to boarding gates with face recognition technology

To use it at Mumbai airport, you must download the DigiYatra app on your mobile device and create an account. When you arrive at the airport, scan your boarding pass or e-ticket to validate your passenger details. After validation, you can take advantage of paperless and contactless movement within the airport.

Currently, only Indian nationals can register and use the DigiYatra system.

Air India’s 25% discount for students and senior citizens

Air India makes it a bit easier for students and senior citizens to fly around India. Through its Concession Fares program, the airline offers a 25% discount on Economy Class fares for all domestic flights operated by Air India (including flights to and from Mumbai).

To qualify for this discount, students must be under the age of 26 and enrolled in a full-time course in India for at least one academic year. Senior Indian citizens must be 60 years of age or older.

To book a flight with a 25% discount, simply visit the Air India website, select a flight, and click the “Book Now” button. On the next page, select the “Student Discount” option and enter your student ID number. The discount will be automatically applied, and you can proceed to the payment page.

For seniors, the discount is applied during the booking process based on the date of birth provided.

Next tips

Trains beat flights for short trips

India has an extensive railway network that covers almost the entire country, and there are several train stations in Mumbai. Traveling by train is usually cheaper than flying for distances up to 500-600 kilometers (310-370 miles), which is considered a short distance in India. On average, train fares are priced at least 20-50% less than the cost of a one-way flight ticket.

However, it may not be a viable option if you’re in a rush. Even the fastest trains like the Rajdhani Express or Shatabdi Express will need 6-8 hours to cover a distance of around 500km – compared to just 1 hour and 30 minutes by air.

You can book a train ticket through the IRCTC website, at a local ITB (International Tourist Bureau) office, or in person at the Mumbai railway station. There are usually several classes with different levels of comfort to choose from: basic sleeper cars, open-plan carriages, air-conditioned coaches, executive class with larger seats, luxurious first class, etc.

Best airlines for domestic flights in India

India has a thriving airline industry, operating thousands of flights each week between a plethora of cities across the subcontinent. Mumbai is one of the major airports in India, and you’ll have no trouble finding local airlines offering domestic flights.

There are three full-service carriers (FSC) in India: Air India, Vistara, and Jet Airways. Additionally, there are more than 10 low-cost carriers (LCC), including IndiGo, GoFirst, SpiceJet, Air India Express, AirAsia India, Akasa Air, and Alliance Air.

For those seeking unparalleled comfort and high quality service at a reasonable price, Air India stands out as the best option. This government-owned carrier flies to all major airports in India. It offers roomy seats, delicious complimentary meals, and the greatest baggage capacity among all airlines (25 kg in Economy Class).

Flying in India. Low cost airline Akasa Air operate domestic Indian routes.
Akasa Air, new Indian LCC, promises sustainability, affordable prices, and great customer service

If you’re looking for cheap tickets, these are the four Indian LCCs we recommend:

  • IndiGo. The undisputed leader in the domestic market, offering flights to 76 domestic destinations. Despite low-cost pricing, it is renowned for punctuality, safety, and good customer support. However, it does not provide complimentary meals on domestic routes. IndiGo is the only Indian airline listed in World’s Best Low-Cost Airlines by Skytrax, securing an impressive 5th position.
  • SpiceJet. India’s second-largest low-cost carrier. They offer premium services such as extra legroom and priority baggage handling under their SpiceMax brand. The only drawbacks are a recent drop in on-time performance and limited access to their hotline.
  • GoFirst (formerly Go Air). Provides some of the cheapest domestic fares available in India. Additionally, they have a frequent flyer program known as Go Club with free upgrades to “Go Business” (front row with the middle seat left empty). Customer support is limited.
  • Akasa Air. A new airline, entered the Indian market in 2022. Currently, it flies to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Chennai. According to customers, it offers great value on airfares, punctuality, quieter cabins with comfortable seating, and great customer service.

Know your time zone

When checking flights and airport transfer times, ensure you know the local time zones. The departure/arrival times on your plane ticket to Mumbai and on the boarding pass are based on the time zone of the departure/arrival airport – this also applies to the connecting (layover) airports.

India has only one time zone, despite being a large country that stretches almost 3000 kilometers and nearly 30 degrees longitude. It observes Indian Standard Time (IST) all year, which is UTC+05:30 time zone. As a result, clocks in Mumbai are 5 and half hours ahead of London and 9 hours and 30 minutes ahead of New York. IST does not have an associated daylight saving time.

Mumbai airport customs rules

Flying to Mumbai from overseas? Make sure you know the limits for bringing in certain items.

India is serious about the duty-free concession – alcoholic drinks such as spirits, wine, or beer cannot exceed 2 liters per person, and you can carry only 100 cigarettes (or 125g of tobacco). In addition to personal items, you may also carry items up to a value of ₹15,000–50,000 ($190–$620), depending on your origin. While there is no currency limit for foreign currencies, it does need to be declared if it is above the amount of $5,000.

If you exceed the mentioned limits on items, head to Red Lane at the Mumbai airport to declare your goods.

Next tips

Domestic flights from Mumbai

Most domestic routes in India are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata from Mumbai Airport, you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Air IndiaAir India ExpressIndiGoVistara, SpiceJetGo First, and AirAsia Indiaairline/.

This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Indian destinations.

Flights to Mumbai
from Australia and New Zealand

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Flights to Mumbai
from major hubs in Asia

  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Mumbai look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Mumbai will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting India and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.

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Flights to Mumbai dataset