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Getting There
By Air
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport ( +91 22 2615 6600 /+91 22 2682 9000 ) is one of the busiest airports in India. Mumbai ( Bombay ) is known as the financial capital of the country, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the gateway to this "city of opportunity". The airport was formerly known as the Sahar International Airport. It has two terminals that cater to the following airlines:
Aeroflot: ( +91 22 2282 1682 / http://www.aeroflot.ru/eng/ )
Air Canada: ( +91 22 2364 3885 /+91 22 2364 3886/ http://www.aircanada.ca )
Air France: ( +91 22 2202 5021 / http://www.airfrance.com )
Air India: ( +91 22 2287 6464 / http://www.airindia.com/ )
Air Mauritius: ( +91 22 2202 8474 / http://www.airmauritius.com )
Alitalia: ( +91 22 5663 0800 / http://www.alitalia.com )
Bangladesh Biman: ( +91 22 2282 4659 / +91 22 2282 4732, http://www.bimanair.com )
British Airways: [+91 ( 0 )98 9257 7470 / +91 22 2682 8806/ http://www.britishairways.com]
Cathay Pacific: ( +91 22 5657 2222 / http://www.cathaypacific.com )
Delta Airlines: ( +91 22 2826 7000 / http://www.delta.com )
Egypt Air: ( +91 22 2282 4088 / http://www.egyptair.com )
Emirates: ( +91 22 2879 7979 / http://www.emirates.com )
Ethiopian Airlines: ( +91 22 2216 6066 / +91 22 2216 6067 / http://www.flyethiopian.com )
Gulf Air: ( +91 22 2202 1626 /+91 22 2682 8652 / http://www.gulfairco.com )
Iran Air: ( +91 22 2204 7070/+91 22 2204 5082 / http://www.iranair.com )
Japan Airlines: ( +91 22 2283 3136 / http://www.japanair.com )
KLM ( Royal Dutch Airlines ): ( +91 22 2682 8607 / http://www.klm.com )
Kuwait Airways: ( +91 22 2682 9834 / http://www.kuwait-airways.com )
Lufthansa: ( +91 22 5630 1940 / +91 22 2682 9898 / http://www.lufthansa.com )
Qantas: ( +91 22 2200 7440 / http://www.qantas.com )
Royal Nepal Airlines: ( +91 22 2283 6197 / http://www.royalnepal.com )
Singapore Airlines: ( +91 22 2202 2747 / +91 22 2202 8316 / +91 22 2682 9900 / http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/ )
Swissair: ( +91 22 2287 2210 / +91 22 2287 0122 / http://www.swiss.com )
Both the terminals, 1A and 1B, have tourist information centers, 24-hour taxi counters, car rental booths, hotel reservation counters, currency exchange, and a free coach transfer between the terminals.
Mumbai Domestic Airport ( +91 22 2615 6600 ) is located in Santacruz, a Northern suburb of Mumbai. The major domestic airlines that operate through this airport are Indian Airlines ( http://indian-airlines.nic.in ), Jet Airways ( http://www.jetairways.com ), Sahara Airlines ( http://www.airsahara.net ), and Air Deccan ( http://www.airdeccan.net ). They offer flights to 38 cities across India. The airport has a prepaid taxi counter, tourist information counter, business center and car rental booths.
By Rail
Mumbai is well connected by an extensive railway network ( www.indianrailways.com )that caters to local and national routes. The entire network is divided in two major companies, Western Railway ( +91 22 2202 7710 ) and Central Railway ( +91 22 2262 2859 ). The Western Railway operates its local services within Mumbai from Churchgate, and outstation services from Mumbai Central Station. The Central Railway operates its local and outstation services from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus. Tickets can be booked at the computerized booking centers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Churchgate. Local trains are the best way to get around Mumbai, as they connect almost every locality. They carry about 15 million people everyday, a record for any city metro. These trains are Mumbai's lifeline and adhere strictly to their schedules. Tourists should avoid boarding the local trains during peak hours ( 8a-10a and 5p-8p ), as they get extremely crowded.
By Road
Mumbai is an important hub on the National Highway network, and there is extraordinarily heavy traffic within the city. Driving licenses have a minimum age limit of 18 years, and foreigners with a valid international license can drive in the city. India is a vast country and the distances between cities are enormous. Pune ( 170 kilometres ) is the closest city; Delhi is 1460kilometres, and Kolkata is 2836 kilometres away. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation ( +91 22 2307 1524 ) provides bus services from Mumbai to most cities in Maharashtra and the neighboring states, such as Gujarat, Goa, and Andhra Pradesh. The main bus terminal is located opposite the Mumbai Central Railway Station.
Getting Around
By Bus
Mumbai is well connected by various modes of local transport. BEST ( Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport ) ( +91 22 2281 6656 ) is one of them; it provides an extensive network of buses. This is the only place, aside from London, where you will find double-deckers. Fares are very cheap and the service is fast. Bus routes and maps are easily available at newspaper stands or railway stations.
By Taxi
Taxis are marked in black and yellow, and travel to all parts of the city and its suburbs. The fares are reasonable and operate by a meter. The minimum fare is Rs. 13 and most taxis carry a printed tariff card. They can also be engaged for an entire day of sightseeing, as most taxi-drivers are familiar with popular locations and tourist spots. You can also make use of a special air-conditioned taxi service called Cool Cab ( +91 22 2824 6216 / +91 22 2822 7006 ). The minimum fare for this service is Rs. 150.
By Auto-Rickshaw
The Auto rickshaws, painted in black and yellow, operate only in the suburbs of Mumbai. Bandra is the last point on their routes. The minimum fare is Rs. 9. Not more than three passengers are permitted to travel in a rickshaw.
Car Rental Companies
You need to have a valid Indian or international license to drive in the city. Some of the major companies that offer private car hire services are: Avis ( +91 22 2285 7518 ), Royal Cars ( +91 22 2283 2928 ), Europcar ( +91 22 2645 2796 ), and Autoriders Rent-a-car ( +91 22 2496 1714 ).
Mumbai is divided into two parts, the town and the suburbs. Colaba to Mahim constitutes Town, and the Suburbs include areas from Bandra to Borivili. Some major tourist attractions in South Mumbai are the Gateway of India, Queen's Necklace at Marine Drive, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Most of these popular attractions are located in and around Colaba and are easily accessible by local train or road.
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