Mumbai T2

Thought I'd just quickly post a useful few tips given the recent opening of Mumbais new terminal - given I must be one of first on here to use it:

1/ When flying UC or PE, use the regular non-business lanes unless they empty. It WILL be quicker than the dedicated business lanes unless immigration is rammed. There are at least 20x the amount of desks for non-business class pax, and it is therefore considerably quicker to just be a regular Y class pax.

2/ It is a long walk from plane to Immigration - at *least* a mile as a minimum. There are *some* walkways, don't think it'll be a short walk, you should use them. The airport will provide a ride for those with issues.

3/ Pack some DEET in hand luggage (small airline friendly size ), and apply before immigration. Why? Well the new airport terminal is VERY well lit outside attracting rather a lot of Mosquitos, and just past immigration is where I started to notice some. As soon as you get outside to meet a driver/car, you are likely to be outside for at least 10-15 minutes, as the parking structure really puts any UK airport to shame in size, and you are unlikely to be able to be picked up directly from a arrival area as drivers all seem to be forced to use the short-stay facility. The downside is the parking structure and lifts were filled with mozzies last week.

4/ A Tip from fellow VS traveller do *same* on your return checkin ref DEET - as apparently he noticed mozzies on check-in area. - apply before checkin, and keep some in a plastic bag in your hand luggage.

5/ Money exchange desks are downstairs - effectively as you walk outside from immigration, you need to take a long walk downstairs to the exchange area underneath immigration. It's not immediately obvious as this isn't signposted, but it's in the same area as the taxi-rank (but not the arrivals meet/greet area), so following signs to this should assist. It is advisable to change money in India (always has been), as the rate I was quoted was almost 10p per pound more favourable than the desks in Heathrow (as technically you are not supposed to leave India with rupees).

Hope this helps fellow passengers at the new airport - overall I was very impressed with the new terminal - and it really is an improvement inside on the old terminal, and feels like a full top-class western airport.

There are also some interesting "features", statues and water features to enjoy on the walk to Immigration - I was in a rush so skipped it, but you may wish to take your time on the walk, these put heathrow and many international airports to shame. I noticed many people stopping to take photographs at these points.

Hope this helps other travellers a bit for next few months.

Dan

This is really helpful- we are flying in UC Sat 15/03 and have no idea what to expect.

Tell me-I had intended to withdraw rupees from an ATM at the airport. Did you notice any ATMs in arrivals?

Didn't see any cashpoints in arrivals sorry, but they are all over the main city areas in Mumbai. If staying near Powai or the tax-free zone can confirm several international banks and ATM's present.

Personally I usually take enough english cash to change at airport.

Also note on departure ALL spending past security in India is in US$, so having some can be handy - as the prices shown are usually converted at a less favourable rate to rupee/other currancies.

Hence why I usually have some US$, british pound, with latter going to rupees as I arrive and US$/pounds (at same exchange rate) on departure (I just keep as US$ for future trips). My experience is Most airport places in Mumbai will fix rate so you change back at same rate you purchase at with no additional charges.

I'd add you shouldn't need much rupees, except for street food, and local cool-cabs. Most places takes card payment (with UK pin) - and won't work without pin.

For a 2 week trip, I rarely need over 80 pounds in cash. That said, I'm not a tourist, I've been here >8 weeks in last year, so know when someone is trying to rip me off.

Top tip is get someone local to recommend a local decent restaurant, and not the hotel! Mantra in Powai I can *highly* recommend if in that area - it's a place you would need to be told about as it has no on-street frontage, being in a mini-mart style centre, but the food/drink is amazingly good and very reasonably priced.

Thank you so much. We are going for a week on holiday -trying to get to countries we've never been before!

Staying first night at Sofitel BKC, then Four Seasons in Worli. Been looking up restaurants outwith the tourist trail and will definitely try to get to your recommendation!

We are flying from ABZ on the Little Red. Must remember to take out some English banknotes at LHR for exchange!

I'm being taken out to the "best fish" in town allegedly Thursday again - I've been before but never can remember the name of place - it's a small back street place in the expensive bit of Bombay (south). Once I get name of place I'll recommend it as it's another place well off beaten track, and not walkable from hotels - it's in the expensive part of town where auto-ricks are barred.. It's usually quite filled with locals and visitors in a very international mix. Mumbai is quite ridiculously cheap to get around, a 30+ mile cab journey can be as little as 6-7 pounds in a cab (air con) or less in a rickshaw. Be aware *some* cab and rickshaw drivers do take advantage of international visitors as see them as easy marques. A rickshaw will rarely be above 100 rupeees (ie 1 pound).

However, avoid the "local trains". They really should be seen though at peak times just to see the madness.

overall it's a great city, and there are loads of great tourist items to do (I still have loads). Find a driver speaking good English and you should be able to hire for a day for a small sum in english.

Worli has a lot of good restaurants - just with it being India and me having my team taking me places I rarely get to remember a name. Something I would say, is ask advice and order things you don't recognise - as the food here is some of best in world.

For premier pass members, I'd add the new "Clipper" lounge is worth a visit - and for those without, its about 11 quid in. Just follow signs to the main lounge it's off to one side.

No more being limited to one alcoholic drink - self serve with a reasonable selection of gin, beer, wine etc. And a decent selection of food.

For those without a Gold card, I'd be highly recommending this, especially given the main bar in departures does not currently appear to be open at all - so this is currently the only alcoholic drink option I found (I like to drink before a night flight to help the sleep!).

Very helpful indeed. Flying to Mumbai on the 1st December. Flying out on the same day to GOA, so not a connecting flight, as will need to go through immigration, collect bag and then check-in for the Air India flight (believe it’s the same terminal). Arrive in Mumbai at 12.30 am (VA) and then next flight is at 5.30 am (AI) to Goa. Do you or anyone know if the airport restaurants and bars are open during this time?