Mumbai for the day.. practical?

Hi everyone! Flying from Jaipur to Udaipur with a stop in Mumbai. I really want to see some of Mumbai, but not sure of logistics and airport distance. Flight arrives 9:30 am.. I could book a driver in advance to take us around the city..but next flight leaves 17:55 to Udaipur . Assuming we need to be there 1 hour prior, do you think this is do-able please? The date is Feb 24 so it's a Sunday.. I thought traffic may be more mellow on a SUnday? Advice very much appreciated, thanks! Sarah


Jaipur - Mumbai
Departure: Sun, 24 Feb 07:55
Arrival: Sun, 24 Feb 09:30
JetKonnect S2-3056
Mumbai - Udaipur
Departure: Sun, 24 Feb 17:55
Arrival: Sun, 24 Feb 19:45
JetKonnect S2-3073

Hi. If you already are committed to flying from Jaipur to Udaipur, then sure, use your layover in Mumbai to get out of the airport and see some of the city.
You could take a prepaid taxi from the airport to Juhu beach and visit the Hare Krishna Hare Rama temple and have a walk around the surrounding neighborhood. Very relaxed and upscale neighborhood near to the beach. The temple has an attached restaurant named Govinda's serving very good quality food. There is also a small mall in the neighborhood. See this post:
What to do near Mumbai airport?
Another neighborhood close to the airport would be Bandra. There is a old village-like Christian quarter that is kinda photogenic, and the Taj Land's End resort, where you could probably see the Ocean and lounge about with the beautiful people.
Another option not too far from the airport and yet closer to downtown would be to take a car via the SeaLink bridge to Mahalaxmi area and visit the Haji Ali Mosque (an island reached by a causeway) and the MahaLakshmi temple. The Haji Ali temple has a juice and ice cream bar attached on the mainland, and the Mahalaxmi temple has a canteen available down near the rocks on the sea coast behind the temple.
Finally, if you want to make it all the way downtown to South Mumbai to see the heart of the city, then I recommend you take the train to get there instead of a car. With car you might get stuck in horrible traffic and not make it back to the airport. I wouldn't risk it. From the airport take a prepaid taxi to Andheri rail station. From there, buy a first class ticket to Churchgate for 85 Rs. Board a fast train to Churchgate (It will be identified by a letter C then a scheduled departure time and then a letter F). On the platform there will be signs indicating where to stand to wait to board the first class car. Once you arrive at Churchgate you can go on a walking tour around the heart of historic mumbai for maybe 2 hours before needing to head back to the airport.

I am curious as to why you chose this route to get to Udaipur from Jaipur ? And what was the fare ? A drive from Jaipur to Udaipur is about 6-7 hours by car.

You'll have much less available time than you think.

Check in times for domestic flights


+1

Wow..thanks guys for the advice. Not committed to anything yet re: flights or drivers (which I'm guessing now makes more sense?) . I will be in India for a month, but my friend only for 12 days.. she arrives Delhi 3am on Feb 20th, and we only have until evening of March 3 to do.. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Agra.. so we are just trying to fit all in and do like.. 3 days in each with 1 night then 1 full day in Agra before flying out on 4th at 2 am. Soooo.. I was thinking flights everywhere.. and I chose that route because I thought GREAT if we can fit one day in Mumbai since there is a connection. Any advice would be really appreciated. As for me personally.. traveling alone for a few weeks before she arrives.. I am thinking Kerala, Pondicherry, Goa and possibly Veranasi. but I am totally cool winging it and not booking anything much in advance for that. As for my friend, since she has only 12 days, those 3 places and of course TAJ.. we are trying to fit in, in a short period of time. Really appreciate your opinions on how to do this, and how long to spend in each. Through my research, Udaipur looks like the coolest of the 3 to spend the most time, maybe even skipping Jodhpur??? Thanks , Sarah

Hi Sarah, here's my two cents worth:


I'd suggest hiring a car with driver.

20 Feb - Delhi, recovery

21, 22, 23 Feb - Delhi

24, 25 Feb - Agra - now, you could do the Taj and Agra Fort as a day trip from Delhi; however if you want to do more, or go at sunrise or sunset, then you'll need to overnight in Delhi. (NB, the Taj is closed on Friday, so don't go on 22 Feb)

26, 27 - Ranthambore; see the Taj (again) at sunrise and then head for Ranthambore, safari in the afternoon. Another safari the next morning and then head for Jaipur

28, 1, 2 March - Jaipur - take a jeep safari to Samode; and an elephant safari. See all three forts, wander through the bazaars, enjoy a guided walk or two.

3 March - Drive back to Delhi to catch the plane home.

http://www.indianpanorama.in/tour_costs.html

You could adjust this to suit - obviously. You may prefer to have a last day in Delhi before catching your flight home for example. Or shave a day here and a day there to add Udaipur (which is pretty, and touristy perhaps, I'm not sure about 'cool'). You could fly back to Delhi from Udaipur.