Arrival and departure guide from Mumbai Airport
Table of Contents
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, situated in Mumbai, is the primary international airport in this metropolitan city. Listed as the 14th busiest airport in all of Asia, CSIA is renowned for its efficient service despite the volume. This airport has been given the award for the best airport along with Indira Gandhi International Airport situated in Delhi.
The property is spread across 1850 acres of land. Walking around the airport in search of places can be tiresome and can drain you completely as the number suggests, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is enormous.
Known for handling over 45 million passengers annually, this international airport can confuse the passengers at times. Even though there is a helpline in case of an emergency, the chances of getting lost in such a big space are even more. So, there is an arrival and departure guide for the only airport in Mumbai.
Know your way around the terminals
Firstly one needs to know that there are 2 terminals at the airport a fact that remains to be a significant reason for confusion amongst the passengers. Terminal 1 is used for a few domestic flights whereas ,Terminal 2 is used for both international and domestic flights. Even though this system is very confusing, it seems to work pretty well while satisfying the needs of the passengers.
Talking of Terminal 1- Terminal 1 is further divided into 3 levels and they are terminal 1A, 1B and 1C. Terminal 1A was closed back in 2016 and remains closed till date. Flights of Spice Jet, Go Air and Indigo both arrive, and depart from Terminal 1B. The other section Terminal 1C has food courts, and lounging areas for passengers and these areas can be used by them after long and tiresome flights at any point of time in the day.
Terminal 2 is the real deal as it receives arrivals and handles departures of all international flights and domestic flights like Vistara, Air India and Jet Airways. So, the next time you board a flight to or from Mumbai, ensure that you check your terminal before you leave and take care of your luggage.
Terminal 2 handles most of the rush and large volumes of passengers that it is further divided into 4 levels. The 1st level works for transport services like taxis and hotel reservations. Public transport services like bus services and trains can also be availed. People arriving in Mumbai can hire a taxi and go to any destination of choice from this level. The 2nd level handles the arrivals department and ensures that every single passenger arrives safely at the airport. Departures are managed at the 3rd level, which ensures that every flight is safe to board and every passenger boards the flight at the correct time. The 4th level is dedicated to international flights only and handles the arrivals and departures of international tourists.
The authorities have also made the airport as beautiful as it can be. Terminal 2 is gorgeous as it has a museum, which showcases Indian art. The interior design of Terminal 2 is also based on dancing white peacocks which enhances the beauty of the airport.
Relax and enjoy the services
Now, that it is clear that which terminal is used for which purpose, it’s time to give an extensive view of the airport. Besides these terminals, there are a bunch of facilities provided by the government for the passengers to use whenever required. There are a bunch of check-in and check-out counters so that the passengers do not face any problems in rush hours. The Mumbai Airport has 48 escalators and 14 luggage carousels for the comfort of the tourists and has parking space for over 5000 cars, even though the parking fee is hefty.
Other facilities like free Wi-Fi and internet kiosks are also provided for passengers. Lounges like the CIP lounge and GVK lounges are available for passengers to get over their tiredness, relax and unwind. The GVK lounges are for first class travellers and business class travellers. These lounging areas have all the comforts a person might want to experience after a long flight like the Hyderabad to Mumbai flight and these comforts range from spas to dining areas. The GVK lounge is the first lounge of its kind to be opened in India. The CIP lounges, on the other hand, are used by passengers for free internet services, to relax for a little bit or if they wish to read something. The Pranaam lounge is for economy class passengers also and is open to all. They can take advantage of the amenities provided by the government.
When it comes to commuting between terminals, the airport provides free shuttle bus services for the comfort of passengers as the distance between terminals is pretty long.
Book a hotel for a layover
If you want hotel reservations close to the airport, then rooms in hotels like Novotel are available at any given point of time. These hotels are also used for business meetings. You can also book a room in transit hotels if it is a matter of a few hours only. Booking a room in a transit hotel will also help you in saving a lot of money.
Be prepared for setbacks
With advantages come problems, and these problems are part and parcel of travelling. There are a bunch of problems which are faced by passengers on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Mosquitoes are the biggest issue. International tourists feel frustrated because of this. So the next time you are on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, make sure you have tons of mosquito repellent with you.
Also, flights can be delayed 20 to 30 minutes because of rush at the airport, air traffic or even adverse weather conditions. The rush hours for international flights are mostly in the night and the rush hours for domestic flights are usually during the day. Passengers might face confusion because of the common terminal for domestic and international flights. So, before leaving for the airport check the terminal from which you have to take the flight.
Enjoy food and shopping options
There are a lot of eateries to look out for when on the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. There are fast food restaurants and cafes like KFC, Burger King and Starbucks where you can munch on stuff in your free time. If in case you have forgotten to purchase something in a hurry or do not have something, then this airport has got your back as it has various lifestyle stores where you can buy the stuff you need urgently. It also has beauty stores and gadget stores so that you can splurge at the very last moment.
Everybody is welcome!
One great thing about the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is that it is built keeping the needs of disabled people in mind as well. There are ramps and special check-in services provided by the authorities so that people with special needs can travel safely and without any hassle. Attendants are also available around the airport to help the person move from one place to another.
So, this was a glimpse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport located in the commercial capital of India. Keep the above points in mind whenever you visit Mumbai by flight for a peaceful and safe journey.
Hyderabad to Mumbai flight
