Getting Around Mumbai - Local Transport Guide for Travelers
Metro lines, BEST buses, taxis, airport transfers and ferries in Mumbai, with operator hours, fares and where each service runs.
Contents
- 1. Metro: the Aqua Line
- 2. Metro: Line 1 and Line 7
- 2.1 Tickets on Line 1
- 3. Local trains
- 4. BEST buses
- 5. Taxis and auto-rickshaws
- 6. Getting to and from the airport
- 7. Ferries from the Gateway of India
- 7.1 Elephanta Caves
- 7.2 Mandwa and Alibaug
- 8. Comparing your options
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- 10. Sources and background
Mumbai is a long, narrow city, and its main routes run north to south. The metro now follows those routes: Line 1 crosses the suburbs on an elevated track, Line 7 runs along the Western Express Highway, and the Aqua Line links Cuffe Parade, Churchgate, CSMT, Worli, Bandra Kurla Complex and the airport.[1] Buses fill the gaps, metered taxis cover South Mumbai, and ferries take you out into the harbour.
Metro: the Aqua Line
Mumbai Metro Line 3, the Aqua Line, is a 33.5 km corridor along Colaba, Bandra and SEEPZ. Stations include Cuffe Parade, Churchgate, Hutatma Chowk, CSMT, Worli, Siddhivinayak, Dharavi, Bandra Kurla Complex, CSMIA-T2 and Marol Naka.[1]
The first metro leaves Aarey JVLR at 05:55 and the last leaves Cuffe Parade at 22:30.[1] Plan late arrivals at the airport around that last departure.
The NCMC Tourist Pass gives unlimited Aqua Line rides: Rs 210 for one day and Rs 600 for three days. The Aqua Line Passport costs Rs 250, is paid for digitally, and is sold at ten stations including Churchgate, CSMT, Worli and CSMIA-T2.[1]
Metro: Line 1 and Line 7
Line 1, Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar, is an 11.40 km elevated corridor with 12 stations and air-conditioned coaches. It cut the Versova to Ghatkopar journey from 71 minutes to 21 minutes. It connects to Western Railway at Andheri, Central Railway at Ghatkopar, Line 2 at D. N. Nagar and the Aqua Line at Marol Naka.[2]
Mumbai Metro One runs Line 1. The first train leaves Versova and Ghatkopar at 05:30. The last train leaves Versova at 23:25 and Ghatkopar at 23:50. On weekdays trains come every 3.5 minutes at peak and every 7 minutes off-peak.[3]
Line 7 is a 16.5 km elevated Red Line with 13 stations between Andheri East and Dahisar East, running along the Western Express Highway. It passes Gundavali, Mogra, Jogeshwari East, Goregaon East, Aarey, Dindoshi, Kurar, Akurli, Poisar, Magathane, Devipada, Rashtriya Udyan and Ovaripada, and it gives rail access to the airport, SEEPZ and the National Park. It opened in two phases: Dahisar East to Aarey on 2 April 2022 and Aarey to Andheri East on 19 January 2023.[4]
The Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation (MMMOCL), set up by MMRDA, operates metro corridors in the region and lists Line 2A (yellow) and Line 7 (red) among them.[5]
Tickets on Line 1
A smart card needs a Rs 50 deposit. The minimum recharge is Rs 100 and the card holds up to Rs 3,000. A paper QR ticket is valid until the end of operating hours on the day you buy it. A mobile QR ticket is sold on the PayTm and PhonePe apps, and the journey must start within 2 hours of purchase. You can also buy an e-ticket on WhatsApp by sending "hi" to 9670008889.[6]
Local trains
The suburban network has three lines, the Western, Central and Harbour lines. At the airport, Vile Parle East is the nearest station for the domestic terminal and Andheri East for the international terminal.[7] Andheri on Western Railway and Ghatkopar on Central Railway are also Line 1 interchanges, so you can switch between the train and the metro there.[2]
BEST buses
BEST runs 505 bus routes with about 3,800 buses and 63,700 trips, carrying about 2.9 million passengers a day.[8] The Chalo app sells BEST passes. Its Super Saver plans cover trips priced up to Rs 6, Rs 13, Rs 19 or Rs 25: for example 15 trips in 7 days cost Rs 70 for trips up to Rs 6, and Rs 350 for trips up to Rs 25. The plans are not valid on Chalo Bus, Airport Express, Hop-on Hop-off or Heritage tour buses.[9]
Lost something on a bus? Claim it at the Lost Property section at Wadala Depot, after paying the charges.[8]
Taxis and auto-rickshaws
The Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Department publishes the tariff for black-and-yellow CNG taxis. The card shows a minimum fare of Rs 31, then Rs 20.66 per kilometre, rounded to the nearest rupee. For example, 5 km costs Rs 103 and 10 km costs Rs 207. Journeys between midnight and 05:00 cost 25% more, air-conditioned taxis cost 10% more, and each package larger than 60 x 40 cm adds Rs 6. The card is dated 1 February 2025.[10]
Auto-rickshaws are metered, carry a fare chart, and run only in the suburbs: from Borivali to Bandra in the west and up to Sion in the central area.[7] You will not find them in South Mumbai.
Getting to and from the airport
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has two terminals, T1 and T2. Prepaid taxis and app cabs such as Uber and Ola are available at the terminals.[11] Black-and-yellow taxis, Cool Cabs and women-driven cabs pick up from multi-level car park P4.[7]
The metro stops at CSMIA Airport T2, CSMIA Airport T1, Marol Naka and Sahar Road.[7] Marol Naka on Line 1 is the closest metro station to Terminal 2.[11] BEST route 312 connects Terminal 1 to the Vile Parle East and Andheri East stations, route 321 links Terminal 2 to Vile Parle East, and route 308 links Terminal 2 to Andheri East. Luxury air-conditioned buses connect the airport with Thane, Andheri, BKC, Navi Mumbai and Colaba.[7]
A free shuttle runs between the two terminals. Board at the arrival exit toward Departure Gate 2 at T1, or at Level 1, Ground Transportation Level (P4), at T2.[7]
Ferries from the Gateway of India
Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Island lies about 11 km north-east of Apollo Bandar and 7 km from the mainland shore. Its seven rock-cut caves date from the 6th to 7th centuries, and Cave 1 holds the colossal Mahesa-murti bust of Shiva. The caves are open from 9:00 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays.[12]
Entry for foreign visitors costs Rs 600, or Rs 550 if you pay online. Visitors from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Afghanistan, Thailand and Myanmar pay Rs 40, or Rs 35 online. Children under 15 enter free.[12]
Mandwa and Alibaug
Maldar Catamarans sails from Jetty No. 2 at the Gateway of India to Mandwa, and a complimentary bus continues to Alibaug. Departures from the Gateway are at 08:30, 10:45, 13:15, 15:30 and 18:00. The crossing to Mandwa takes about 50 minutes. Return boats leave Mandwa at 09:30, 11:45, 14:15, 16:30 and 19:00.[13]
One-way fares are Rs 200 on the main deck, Rs 250 on the upper deck and Rs 285 in the air-conditioned deck, each plus a Rs 20 online booking charge. Children under 5 travel free. Report to the jetty at least 45 minutes before departure. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the 08:30 trip leaves at 08:15. Tickets are non-refundable unless Maldar cancels the trip, and online booking for the next day closes at 18:00. The operator is authorised by the Maharashtra Maritime Board.[13]
Comparing your options
| Mode | Where it runs | Hours or schedule | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aqua Line (Line 3) | Cuffe Parade, Churchgate, CSMT, Worli, BKC, airport | 05:55 first from Aarey JVLR, 22:30 last from Cuffe Parade[1] | Tourist Pass Rs 210 for one day[1] |
| Metro Line 1 | Versova to Ghatkopar via Andheri | 05:30 first, 23:25 and 23:50 last[3] | Smart card deposit Rs 50[6] |
| BEST bus | 505 routes across the city | 63,700 trips a day[8] | Super Saver plans from Rs 70 for 15 trips[9] |
| Black-and-yellow taxi | Citywide | Night surcharge 25% from midnight to 05:00[10] | Minimum Rs 31, then Rs 20.66 per km[10] |
| Auto-rickshaw | Suburbs only, Borivali to Bandra and up to Sion | Metered[7] | Pay by the meter[7] |
| Maldar ferry | Gateway of India to Mandwa | Five departures from 08:30 to 18:00[13] | Rs 200 to Rs 285 one way[13] |
Frequently Asked Questions
Use this guide to compare local transport in Mumbai. When bookable tickets are available, the booking tool shows current options and prices.
Use the metro on the lines that match your route: the Aqua Line between South Mumbai, Worli, BKC and the airport, Line 1 between Versova and Ghatkopar, and Line 7 along the Western Express Highway. Add BEST buses and black-and-yellow taxis for the rest.
The Aqua Line's last metro leaves Cuffe Parade at 22:30. On Line 1 the last train leaves Versova at 23:25 and Ghatkopar at 23:50.
Take a prepaid taxi or an app cab from the arrival level, ride BEST route 312, 321 or 308 to the nearby railway stations, or take the metro from CSMIA Airport T2 or Marol Naka.
The state tariff card lists a minimum fare of Rs 31 and Rs 20.66 per kilometre. Night journeys from midnight to 05:00 cost 25% more and air-conditioned taxis cost 10% more.
No. Auto-rickshaws run only in the suburbs, from Borivali to Bandra in the west and up to Sion in the central area.
The caves are open from 9:00 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays. Foreign visitors pay Rs 600, or Rs 550 online.
The Maldar Catamarans crossing takes about 50 minutes. A free bus continues from Mandwa to Alibaug.
Sources and background
Numbers in the text such as [1] refer to these sources.
- [1] MMRCL: Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited: Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Aqua Line). Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [2] MMRDA: Metro Line 1 (Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar). Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [3] Mumbai Metro One (Line 1): Metro Train Schedule. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [4] MMRDA: Metro Line 7 (Andheri East-Dahisar East). Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [5] MMMOCL: Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [6] Mumbai Metro One (Line 1): Tickets and Fare. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [7] Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Adani): Transport Facility at Mumbai Airport. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [8] BEST Undertaking: BEST Undertaking. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [9] Chalo (BEST ticketing partner): Mumbai Super Saver Plans. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [10] Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Department: Black Yellow Taxi (CNG) Tariff Card. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [11] Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Adani): Travel To and From Mumbai Airport. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [12] Archaeological Survey of India: Elephanta Caves. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
- [13] Maldar Catamarans: Maldar Catamarans: Gateway of India to Mandwa/Alibaug. Retrieved November 13, 2026.
Guide prices and journey times are indicative, not live quotes. A booked package may include transfers and waiting time as well as the main journey. Check the selected offer, pickup point and current conditions before booking.