International to domestic - Late night transit options

desimom

My family and I (including a 2 year old) plan to travel to Pune in July.
We will be travelling from the US.

I am considering flying to Pune from Mumbai. The only hitch is that I will be arriving at Sahar in the middle of the night at 1:00 am, and my flight to Pune is at 9:30 am (Jet Airways).

(I know that it makes more sense to just go by road - private bus or hired
car etc. - but it can get quite scary if it's raining and pouring - and my travel
plans do happen to take me right in the middle of the monsoon season - mumbai was pretty flooded that time of the year last year).

Questions:

* Will there be a shuttle to the domestic terminal at that time (probably somewhere between 2:00 am and 3:00 am)?

* Is there a lounge area at the domestic terminal that will be open at that time?

* How are the bathroom facilites in that area? Is "clean" too much to ask for?

* Anyplace there where I might find something to eat/drink?

* I'm guessing that there's a regular restaurant in the terminal. What time does it open in the morning?

* What are my options if I want to use a transit hotel - not a 5-star hotel, but something clean and comfortable.

* Can I just go to a 5-star hotel at that time of night, alongwith my luggage and my kids, and spend a few hours in their 24-hour coffee shop or/and lounge area?

* I have heard the domestic airport has "retiring rooms" - which cannot be reserved and are assigned only on a first-come-first-serve basis. Do I have any chance at all of getting one of these?

* Any other ideas? Or should I just quitely hope for the best and travel by road?

Thanks,

A desi mom...

donkey

can't answer all your questions but here's what i do know...

There is a free shuttle to the domestic airport from the international. There is a big sign on the wall as you exit. At 1am the international airport is really busy - lots of flights arrive between 12 and 4am.

Airport toilets are usually not too bad. There are often a couple of aunties who basicly live in there and clean constantly. slip them 5 or 10 rups and they'll have toilet paper for you.
(I was actually at the airport last night picking someone up at 2am and walked into the bathroom to find 5 older ladies lying on the floor in a row on their sleeping mats all giggling away like school girls - it was sweet)

I really don't know about the domestic terminal at that time of night. I dont imagine there are too many internal flights leaving at that time that would require it to be open. However there are flights that start around 5.30am, so i guess that means it would have to be open by at least 4am. And i do always see a few people lining up for the domestic terminal shuttle at 1 - 2am, so i guess it should be open. best to get someone else to confirm this though...

Going to a 5-star coffee shop could be a much nicer idea. And there are some very nice 5-stars that are close.. i'm pretty sure most of them have 24hr coffee shops. Only thing is that i dont know how they would take to someone sitting there for several hours, and no doubt your kids will want to sleep, which may not go down too well with the staff.

I think for the kids it could be better to find a bus? I cant can't help you with timings, i think you'd have to catch a taxi down to Dadar? or Bombay Central ? to catch a bus to Pune? anyone?

here's one company's timetable: http://www.rajnationalexpress.in/time_tab.htm - their first bus is at 6am.
the Raj buses are very nice... means you would be in Pune by 9.30am (barring of course any weather delays).. i do think the mumbai - pune rd isnt that bad when theres flooding.. but havent been on it too recently.

good luck!
michaela

Wolfpup

Desimom,

I have done this in Bangalore, and Dehli. It was a nightmare. Both times I went to the Oberoi, and stayed in their coffeshop until I had to return for my flight. In Bangalore I had the misfortune to fly Air India (domestic). Upon arriving at the airport I found my flight had been delayed two hours. After the two hours passed I discovered that flight had been delayed for a further eight hours. I think you have the following options;

1) Take a different flight which lands during the day in Mumbai.

2) Stay in Mumbai overnight.

3) Get a large car/ small bus to take you the last leg. If you are going to be uncomfortable anyway you may aswell be moving somwhere.

PS I was traveling alone from UK.

Judi

Can't answer all your questions, but for what it's worth .....

Yes, there will be a shuttle bus at that time of night/morning.

We found the domestic terminal (including the toilets) spotlessle clean.

We took a flight out about 6.30am and at that time there was nowhere to buy anything to eat or drink.

It was January, lovely and warm outside and freezing inside! I really needed more than just a shawl wrapped round me.

Altogether, it wasn't really an unpleasant experience, but then it was just my husband and myself - travelling with children might be very different.

Imho - I would either try to fly in at a different time, or take a taxi straight to a decent hotel for the night, to help set you up for the next day and your onward travels.

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Thirdstage

You can now check in your bags for Jet Airways in the international terminal
They have an x-ray machine and check in as you follow the sighns to the inter terminal transfer bus.
Jet now fly from the new (1 year old) domestic terminal. There is a VIP lounge upstairs overlooking the main concourse which you can sometimes blag your way in. There are retireing rooms upstairs on your left as you go towards security.
hope this helps

Indiafan

Toilets are clean in the domestic terminal, as mentioned above the bar upstairs is nice and clean place to hang around, just learned from a finnish traveller that there is spa at Hotel Hyat Reagency, taxi Rs 100 and entrance Rs 600. A good option during daytime.

skinnylizard

there is a shuttle. depending on what class you are flying or if you have a citigold card you can hang out at the Oberoi Lounge. The airport itself is fine, safe, clean but uber boring.

driving would be a no hassle but its ok if you fly. no harm done.

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ssharonuk

hi there
maybe it would be better to get a hotel for the night in mumbia then carry on to pune the following day as the long flight and travel will be a little hard for you and your child .Book a hotel wake up refreshed and travel the next day

Serena

Thirdstage, it's very interesting this thing: it's possible to check in your luggage for every flight in the international terminal?

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aadil

Jet airways has a special check-in counter at the International airport where you can check in for the onward flight and leave your bags with them and they will transfer them directly to your aircraft or you can even take them with you. You will be put on a free Jet or International Airport Authority Shuttle bus from inside the airport and transfer you directly to the entrance of the airport for your departure where you just have to check in your hand baggage. The terminal has a few places to sit down though not enough to rest after a long flight so it maybe difficult to lie down somewhere. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Aadil.

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