Pre-paid taxis - Mumbai airport

jivan

I'm with Jorge & Ratty on this. Be aware that Bombay or mumbai as it's now called is pretty humid. We, the natives sweat like anything so plenty of fluids & patience works it all out. Welcome to India!

Brisso

Oh, a child in tow? Well that does make a difference.
Last in Mumbai I paid 400 to Colaba.

julesa

i don't think there are pre paid taxis in mumbai airport though?

400 is about right from when i was there last time, negotiated with the driver before getting into his cab.

although i felt like james bond when the driver pulled up outside the terminal and told us me to bail out and get into another cab, then counted all our luggage individually.

i am certain this was a ruse to somehow get more money from us, so at journey's end we just thanked him and walked off immediately before he could try anything

kristinm

OK - so 1200 is pretty outrageous then... I wonder if there are prepaid taxis?

julesa

you can always negotiate the fare before you get in the cab.

that doesn't stop them pulling tricks like surcharging you for luggage at the end. in turn, you can always walk off on them

Brisso

I'm sure my taxi at Bombay airport was pre-pay. You are issued a ticket for payment to give to the driver at your destination.

Sometimes they need to show it to exit the airport gate. The only hardsell is for a "tip".

aadil

If you come to the International airport there is a prepaid counter where you pay in advance and there is nothing you need to pay later on except for a small tip (Rs20-30 should be sufficient) if you wish. There are two counters at Mumbai airport where you can get a prepaid taxi and one of them is a private car hire firm where you will find the guy behind the counter calling out to prospective customers. This is the one you should avoid unless you want a private car hire for about Rs800 to Rs1200. The other counter is the one which is the government run prepaid taxi service with fares listed for each area according to the different slabs in Kilometers so you pay different rates according to the distance and the maximum you may have to pay is Rs400 for South Mumbai. There is an airconditioned taxi option as well which is about Rs450 for the same distance. You can chose which one you like. You will have to pay for the baggage at the same time depending on the size and number of bags. Everything is already paid for and you get a receipt which is to be shown to the policeman on duty at the exit point. Even if the taxi has a breakdown the driver is supposed to arrange another taxi and pay the driver the remaining amount depending on how much distance he has still to cover to your destination. You can always call up the emergency telephone numbers to complain against the taxi driver if there is any problem.

If you are coming from the domestic terminal then there is a taxi stand outside where the security will arrange to get you in one of them according to queue and also hand over a taxi fare card which gives you the rates for the meter conversion to pay as well as the day and night charges for the taxi or autorickshaw. It also gives you the luggage prices per bag and important telephone numbers in case of a complaint. They also take down your name and destination in case you complain against the driver later on so that action can be taken against the driver.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Aadil.

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julesa

ah ok i was thinking of mumbai domestic airport. there's no pre paid taxi service there, unless i'm mistaken.

nayan

there is prepaid service in mumbai domestic airport also.
Inside the airport there is a counter of a private operator. Donot go there as they will charge about 700 to 800 to go to south mumbai.
just outside the exit is the govt prepaid counter where you will get reasonable rates.

aadil

I have not seen any prepaid taxi counter at the domestic airport yet!!! The only thing they have is a security guy guiding you to the next taxi that will leave and you are given a fare card that mentions the conversion rates for the taxis and autorickshaws for both the normal and night charges. They do take down your name and destination for future reference if there is a complaint to be made against the driver.

Cheers,
Aadil.

maddielive

hi everyone,

i am trying to work out if it is better (cheaper that is and convenient) to get a taxi from mumbai airport to 'hotel new bengal' or arrange for the hotel to pick me up?

Any suggestions....

Thanks

maddie

kristinm

We were discussing this here: One day in Mumbai

Although it was a bit of a thread hijack (sorry!!!) - Just to continue it here, Basically, my Colaba hotel quoted 1200r for aiport pickup - about the day rate for a car and driver! I then emailed a recommended driver/guide and asked him and received an email back from Amin quoting 1000r for airport to Colaba, so I'll be going with the prepaid taxi - which apparently should be about 400 (even if its 600 its still better value) and hoping I can cope! It'll be our first challenge in India! There are directions to the taxi stand and instructions in the thread above, and I;m sure in others too.

Brisso

Kristin - nothing to cope with ... change money or uses ATM for cash, make sure you go to the official pre-paid booth, retain your stub till your destination, be clear on your destination with the driver, be wary of questions to the effect of "your first time in India Madam?" (although this may be an innocent question), be polite and non-commital. Dont' be unnerved if the driver asks for the stub to exit the airport (but politely then request if back).

You will be asked for a tip, 30-40 rupees is sufficient. The sights and sounds of the journey can be mindboggling for a first timer, drink it in because you are completely safe ..

kristinm

"First time in India?" " No - we come here all the time, in fact we almost live here" as we cower in the taxi - eyes boggling - whimpering with fear and anticipation...

Think the driver will notice?

maddielive

thanks for the info re: taxis from the airport. another question, how long does it take to get from mumbai cst to lochmany tilak?

thanks heaps!