Mumbai CST (Train Station) to International Airport.

bostonindian

I'm trying to book a hotel for the last leg of my trip in India.

I will be taking the train from Goa to Mumbai (times TBD), staying in Mumbai for 3 days and then taking a 2 AM flight to London.

Can anyone please guide me:

1. What is the distance between the Train station and the airport? Since the train I am considering arrives at 9 PM, I'm trying to decide if I should stay close to the Railway station, or take a taxi to a hotel closer to the airport, or take an earlier train (which means waking up at an unearthly hour :-)

2. How do I get a taxi at the Railway station? I mean are there Prepaid options just like at the airport?

3. Do the flexibility of staying closer to Mumbai's attractions outweigh the distance travelled to these places if I stay closer to the airport?

Thanks.

ananda2193

Why stay by the train station if you've got 3 days there. Most people head to Colaba. Also nice and close to the airport is the Juhu beach area. There's a hotel called the International thats in that area by the airport thats in a interesting, bustling neighborhood near the Hari Krishna ISCKON temple.

I don't think they have prepaid taxis at the station.

bostonindian

Thanks Ananda.
I will look into places in the Bandra / Juhu Beach area.

My question now is:
Given that I will only have two FULL days in Mumbai, is that enough to:
1. See the Gateway of India
2. Walk around in Colaba
3. Make a trip to the Elephanta Caves (how long does this trip take?)
4. Walk around Juhu beach and/or Chowpatty
5. Walk around Chor Bazaar
6. Visit Haji Ali Mosque
7. Visit St. Thomas Cathedral

Will travelling by local trains leave me with enough time for these places, or will I be better off hiring a taxi?
Haven't been home in 12 years may have made my haggling/bargaining skills a bit rusty, but I'm hoping the 2 weeks leading to these last three days will be practice enough

sannna

Given the things you want to see and the fact that you arrive at CST I suggest to stay in Colaba/Fort area. Most sights you want to see are in or close to South Bombay. To get to the airport at a late hour you can pre-arrange a taxi through your hotel or a private taxi company like Cool Cab. From Coloba to the Airport will take maximum an hour, depending on traffic.

Most of the sights you want to go to (Gateway, Coloba, Elephanta) are in South Bombay. You cannot use the trains here, as the last (most southern) stops of the trains are Chuchgate and CST. If you go further south, you will need to use taxis, buses or walk. Taxis have meters and conversion chart. If a driver doesn't want to use the meter, look for another one. There are plenty of them. No need for haggling!

Chowpatty: nearest railway stations are Charni Rd and Grant Rd. But I'd suggest using a taxi to get there if you are coming from the south. As it will be quicker than going to the railway station, buying a ticket, finding out which platform your train arrives, and getting from the railway station to your final destination.

Haji Ali Mosque: you can take the train from Churchgate (Western Line) and get off at Mahalaxmi.

I don't know where St Thomas Cathedral is. So I cant help you on that one.

Allow half a day for Elephanta. You might be able to return quicker, and see the sights in less time, but doing it at a slow pace is nicer. I am not sure anymore how long the boatride takes, but I don't think it is more than 45 minutes in any case.

You can take a suburban train to Juhu, and carry on by autorikshaw from there. (They use their meters too). Depending on the time you want to travel allow 5-20 minutes for queueing to get a ticket, and 30-45 minutes to reach your destination.

Haggling skills are not too necessary when using taxis, as theyare all happy to use the meters. The ones that don't wasnt to use it, you can just ignore them and take another. Its only on the markets that your haggling skills are needed in Mumbai.

bostonindian

Thanks Sannna!
The Residency at Fort seems ideal based on your suggestions!

We plan to be at the airport by 11:30 PM for immigration and other formalities.
We plan on leaving the hotel around 10PM.
How bad would the traffic be at that time of the hour?
(You mention an hour in your response above... I was wondering if that worst case time gets better or worse around 10 PM!)

Should I leave earlier?
How much should I expect the taxi to cost me? Is there a late night surcharge?

sannna

The Residency has a convenient location as you are only short taxi rides, or longer walking trips away from Colaba, and can walk to CST and Churchgate. Also, I like the Fort area better than Caba, as it is less touristy, and more quiet at night.

It's probably best to ask the hotel people how much time you will need or the airport. An hour and a half seems fine to me, but it may depend on the day as well. I am not really sure. I think the streets becomen quieter after 10 PM. There is a surcharge after 10 PM. I don't know the exact rate. But my guess Colaba to Airport would be about 600 Rs at night... Maybe someone can correct this.

rohit2travel

Count as 1 1/2 hour from colaba to Airport It will not cost you more than 400-450 according to metre.

Have a great journey