bandra terminus

hi all

has anyone arrived at the bandra terminus by train just outside of mumbai? if so, how did you find it and how did you then get into the city of mumbai itself? how much did it cost etc?

Many thanks!!

It's a bit crowded station. (btw there is no such thing called non crowded stations in Mumbai). You can get taxi or bus from out just side the station. The cost depends on where do you want to go in the city. If it's too far (and connected by suburban trains) people just get dropped (by taxt, bus) to the nearby suburban railway station and procede by the loacl train....
Typical taxi ride to 'city' may cost any thing from rs50 to rs200 or so depends up on how far it is ....

Just hit Mumbai and ask at a few people...you would get the pulse (though a bit overwhelming) of this place fast

thanks Beach!

we were planning on staying in the fort area...so i guess we would try and get a taxi and settle on a price beforehand?

Aessedai

About +/- 150rs

You won't be able to settle on a price beforehand, as the taxis are metred and one has to pay by the tariff card.

Another option - cheaper and faster, though a little cumbersome - is to take an auto from Bandra Terminus to Bandra suburban station ( 2 minutes ride) and then take a harbour branch suburban train from Bandra to CST ( 30 mins).

stay in bandra instead. It's really cool up there, although I don't know what Bombay looks after all of the monsoons. Overall, Bandra is the hip, young area, a place locals are very proud of. You can stay in a place called the Jewel palace right near the Khar station--not a bad place, shouldn't cost you more than Rs1500. Then, you can check out some of the clubs and restaurants in Bandra. Great shopping--much better than in Colaba--over on Hill road.

As for your train, make sure that you tell the driver that you want the train station and not the subway stop. They are pretty far away--too far to walk.

BTW, the taxi from the fort area to Bandra can take a long time, depending on when you leave. Since you are going by meter, it could cost anywhere from Rs150 to Rs250.

hi shahashim,

so you recommend staying in bandra and then heading into the city central to check out the sites? we are arriving around 11am at bandra and then flying out of mumbai at 11pm the following night...bandra is obviously much closer to the airport as well....

aessedai

Bandra is much nicer than mumbai(no offence meant) and as the others have said monsoons have taken their toll so you never know what you may find. I travelled from bandra to Victoria station, mumbai, not the most pleasent experience of my travels!!!!!!

what happened between bandra and victoria???

Don't worry!!! nothing major, smelly armpits, groping hands, packed, standing only, things always seem worst when your tired!!!! just put it down to part of the experience of travelling in India and watch your pockets etc... which you have to do anywhere in the world today

thanks for the info

Its much better just to put up in Bandra and then head into town once you're settled in a hotel. That way you would also be closer to the airport on your way out. It does take a while to get around in Mumbai. I was there a couple of weeks back and I almost missed my flight as I was caught in the mother of all traffic jams.

I agree with what Shimla said. Take an autorickshaw after coming out of Bandra Terminus from the East side. Bandra suburban station is 5 -7 minutes walk from there. Dont take a taxi, the taximen at Bandra Terminus are expert frauds. Auto wont cost you more than 15 Rupees.

Remember to come out from EAST side as Bandra Suburban Station can be seen from Bandra Terminus from this side, and if the auto or taxi fellow takes you to west Bandra it will be through lots of lanes and will cost you around Rs 50.

Stay at the Fort or better Colaba area only, which is the heart of the city for any tourist. Bandra is ok for Business/Executives as its closer to the airport and many offices in westarn bombay.

Everyplace you want to visit in Bombay is closer from Colaba & Fort Area.

Things certainly need not be as bad as the above poster experienced.

Buy a first class suburban ticket at Bandra suburban station( no need to join the queue for a first class ticket; just walk up to the window and buy it) and board a harbour branch suburban train which originates from Bandra.

Travel sitting comfortably without worrying about smelly armpits, gropers, standees, pickpockets, etc.

Right. And, there are trains for women only.

As for where to stay, Bombay has many gems...it's just hard to know where to find them. Colaba and the Fort Area are nice places, and there's plenty to do.

In bandra, you'll see idealistic writers penning their next scripts, cartoonists pitching for a magazine, proud mothers "powerwalking" to lose pounds on the promenade. On Hill road, the clothes you buy won't leak ink after one wear, unlike most of the items on Colaba Causeway.

And, in Bandra, nobody will really care about you, even if you are as white as I am. Movie stars rule the land.