Search Flights from San Francisco to Mumbai

Located 21 km from the city center, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California, following Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Every year SFO handles a significant number of both domestic and international flights. There are a variety of transportation alternatives passengers can utilize to get to and from the airport.  

San Francisco International Airport stands out for the comfortable and exceptional services it offers. The airport features services aimed at meeting your every need, from comfortable passenger lounges, to restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and a vibrant array of stores where you can go shopping.

San Francisco International Airport is accessible by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car as the airport contains parking lots that offer short-term and long-term parking options.

Train

There are two rail systems that you can use to get to San Francisco International Airport from the city center. The first is the rapid-rail system, the BART. The BART starts running in the early hours of the morning, providing easy and fast transportation between SFO and the northern and southern parts of the city.

The other rail system that you can use to get to SFO is the CalTrain. This train departs on the hour, every hour, every day of the week, until 10 pm. This train provides transportation between San Francisco and San Jose and SFO.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to SFO from the city center is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between the San Francisco city center and the airport. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Mateo, various parts of San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 run directly to the airport terminals. Buses stop at the arrivals and baggage claim level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and at Level 1 of the International Terminal.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the airport. There are many rental car companies located in the city. You can drop off your rental vehicle at the Rental Car Center before your departure. From the Rental Car Center the AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the airport terminals and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget, Fox and Thrifty.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who want to access the airport by bike. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes. Bike lovers can easily access the airport by bicycle.   

Airport Information

San Francisco International Airport is located 21 km from the city center. The airport covers an expansive area and operates domestic and international flights out of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. The AirTrain automated system provides free transportation between each terminal, as well as the Rental Car Center and BART station. The AirTrain Red Line links all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station. The AirTrain Blue Line links the Rental Car Center with all terminals, terminal garages, and the BART Station. SFO also contains a variety of services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs.

The airport features health services in the terminals, rental car offices, banks, a lost and found, wireless internet, charging stations, clothing stores where you can go shopping, restaurants and cafes, the Aviation Museum & Library, rotating exhibitions, spa services, children’s play areas, free yoga rooms, a market, and much more. 

Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is not just India’s most populated city but one of the most populated cities in the entire world. The city has a population of close to 20 million people. With India’s world famous Bollywood film industry based in the city, Mumbai is one of the most advanced cities in the country in terms of culture and tourism. Every year Mumbia welcomes countless visitors from different parts of the world. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport welcomes visitors to the city and is one of the country’s busiest airports.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport was created from the combination of Santa Cruz Airport and Sahar Airport. Today the airport contains numerous services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport connects Mumbai to different regions in India and major destinations across the world. The airport features restaurants that offer delicious examples of both Indian cuisine and international cuisine, stores and duty free shops where passengers can pass the time by going shopping, private lounges where passenger can relax or do work, and more. In addition, there are countless hotels located in close proximity to the airport for those looking for accommodation alternatives nearby. Hotels that are located in close proximity to the airport include the Hyatt Regency Mumbai, Waterstones Hotel, The Leela Mumbai, and The Lalit Mumbai.

The airport is located in relatively close proximity to the city center. However getting to and from the city center can take much longer than expected due to the heavy traffic conditions in the city. Traveling between the airport and the city center can take between 45 minutes and 2 hours depending on the traffic and the method of transportation you use. You can use a taxi, rental car, bus, or train to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. Furthermore, if you want a more economical transportation alternative, consider using shared ride services. There are limousine and rental car services available from the airport to the city center for those who want a more luxurious and comfortable method of transportation.  

Trains are the fastest transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport however trains are usually very overcrowded and aren’t directly accessible from the airport. Taxis are the most convenient transportation alternative to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. We recommend using prepaid taxis to avoid being overcharged. You can find prepaid taxis at the terminals.

Taxi

The most comfortable method of transportation to get to the city center from the airport is by taxi. Taxis are easily available at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The total trip time to the city center from the airport can vary between 45 minutes and 2 hours depending on the traffic. The traffic conditions in the city can get very congested, making it the most important factor in determining the length of your journey. Traffic in Mumbai is notoriously bad.

The most important thing you have to pay attention to is making sure you use a prepaid taxi. By using a prepaid taxi you pay the fare beforehand and avoid any chances of overpaying. If you have agreed on a price beforehand and there were no changes on the predetermined route your taxi drive took to the city then ignore any requests for addition payment. There are regular taxis that run metered fares in the city as well but when you take the heavy traffic conditions in the city into account, these taxis can cost more than prepaid taxis. You also run the risk of being overcharged by a metered taxi driver.

Bus

Taking the bus is another transportation alternative to get to the city center. However, keep in mind that buses tend to be very crowded. Buses depart from both the domestic terminal and the international terminal and provide transportation to various parts of the city.

Bus line 312 departs from the domestic terminal and provides transportation to the Vile Parle and Andheri stations. From these railway stations you can transfer to a train. Bus line 321 departs from the international terminal and provides transportation to Vile Parle East. Bus line 308 departs from the international terminal and provides transportation to Andheri (East) railway station.

Train

Trains are the fastest transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport. However, there is no direct access to the train from the airport and trains in Mumbai are incredibly overcrowded. Trains can get so crowded that its almost worth sitting in traffic for hours to avoid the overcrowding, especially if you have excess luggage. To access the train passengers must take the bus from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to the Vile Parle or Andheri railway stations. From there passengers can transfer to the train.

Rental Car

If you don’t want to take public transportation to get to the city center from the airport then renting a car is a great alternative. Renting a car is a comfortable and reliable method of transportation. There are many rental car companies located at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. You can also book your rental vehicle online in advance so that your rental car is ready when you arrive. Rental car companies that you can choose from include AVIS, SS Travels, First and Car Club. These companies have different car models that you can choose from that come with a variety of features. Keep in mind that traffic in the city can be very bad. If you’re planning on traveling to other cities in the country note that the distance between cities in the India is quite expansive. So exploring different cities by car can take a very long time.

Hotel Shuttle Services

There are many major hotels located in the city center of Mumbai, which is a very bustling tourist destination. Major hotels that are located in the city center offer guests hotel shuttle services to and from the city center. Some hotels offer these services to their guests at a fee while some of them offer these services for free. Hotel shuttle services pick you up from the airport and drop you off in front of your hotel. This is one of the most reliable and comfortable transportation alternatives to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, especially if you have heavy or excess luggage.

Limousine

Another transportation alternative to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, and to get around in the city and its surrounding areas during your trip, is by renting a limousine. Usually limousine services come with a chauffer and can be rented on an hourly or daily basis. Renting a limousine is quite expensive but it is a very comfortable means of transportation. If you want to rent a limousine we suggest researching companies online and comparing prices before hand.

Shared Rides

Shared ride services are ideal for those who want to travel to the city center by taxi but who don’t want to pay a lot of money. Shared ride services offer a cheaper opportunity that is still comfortable and convenient. Shared ride services can accommodate a number of people who split the fare, offering a cheaper total cost to get to the city center from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in a vehicle that is as comfortable as a taxi. Taxis that are waiting in front of the airport generally offer shared ride services. You can share a taxi with other passengers who are traveling in the same direction. Make sure to use a prepaid taxi or agree on the taxi fare with the driver before the trip.