Mumbai and Goa

We are staying o/nite in the Intercontinental Grand Mumbai (close to Mumbai Airport) has anyone stayed here before? What did you think?

Doing the touristy bit now, I have about 4.5 hours to view Mumbai, before it gets dark, is there any suggestions of places to visit? Is it cheap to hire a taxi for the afternoon to do the sightseeing?[?][:?]

What is the noise like from the airport? [y] or [n]

What sort of time do I need to allow for transfer from Hotel to Domestic terminal? What can we expect from the domestic lounge for Business Class pax?

We are flying to Goa on Indian Airlines A320, what can we expect on this service? Is it a manic free for all boarding or do they board Business Class first? Do we get the same problems when we disembark?

Thanks
[y]

Stay in the hotel!

But in all seriousness see if you can get yourself either one of the hotel drivers (they are for hire) or a tourist vehicle driver (similar to a private taxi driver) and just tell him you want to see the sites.

Unfortunately due to you only having 4.5 hours and the traffic being so bad you really won't see much.
If you (or your driver) believe you have enough time I can recommend the Gateway of India, Hanging Gardens as well as the 'laundry' (can't remember the name of this but it is a site!) . I currently have my Indian colleagues (from our Mumbai office) with me for the next two weeks so can get details of reputable drivers if you wish.

Can't comment on the hotel as I havent stayed there although all other 'western' hotels I have stayed in are pretty good.

Mumbai has 2 airports, the international and the domestic. I think they are within 30 mins of each other (probably only a few kms apart).

Paul

Thanks for the reply. I would like to get to see The Gateway to India, how far is this from the domestic airport?

What would your guys be looking to pay for a driver for say a 5 hour City trip?

thanks very much

Ian

Originally posted by p17bloStay in the hotel!

But in all seriousness see if you can get yourself either one of the hotel drivers (they are for hire) or a tourist vehicle driver (similar to a private taxi driver) and just tell him you want to see the sites.

Unfortunately due to you only having 4.5 hours and the traffic being so bad you really won't see much.
If you (or your driver) believe you have enough time I can recommend the Gateway of India, Hanging Gardens as well as the 'laundry' (can't remember the name of this but it is a site!) . I currently have my Indian colleagues (from our Mumbai office) with me for the next two weeks so can get details of reputable drivers if you wish.

Can't comment on the hotel as I havent stayed there although all other 'western' hotels I have stayed in are pretty good.

Mumbai has 2 airports, the international and the domestic. I think they are within 30 mins of each other (probably only a few kms apart).

Paul

{mcuth: edited to tidy up quoting}

I will ask them tomorrow when I see them again, but I believe we had the drivers for a full day for around £30/£40. They aren't expensive. The gateway was a good hour i believe by car. It is right opposite the Taj Mahal hotel so if you can find that (and your own) on a map you can see how far it is. But as I say it's not so much the distance but the traffic!

I'll update you again tomorrow

Paul

I'll second the views on the traffic!

"downtown" mumbai isn't too far as the crow flies, but even in good traffic you would need over an hour to cover the distance. And for no apparent reason yesterday the traffic was horrendous, the normal 15minute drive to work took 1 hour.

Mumbai Airport is surrounded by what are claimed to be the largest slum areas in asia. The hotels are oasis' in the midst of all this, but it sadly means there isn't much to walk out of the hotel to see.

Thanks very much. Hope your enjoying yourselves?

How much longer are you out there for?

Cheers

Spoke to my colleagues this morning. To answer more accurately some of your questions.
Domestic Airport from Intercontinental is about a 30 minute drive
The generally consesus was if you only have 4.5 hours you will struggle to see anything. It will take a least an hour to get you out of the slum area (as PVGSLF mentioned above) and then an hour back which doesn't leave you long. But if you are sure you want to go experience this they confirmed a driver would usually cost around £25/30 a day. I can get you a number if you wish.

Their advice was to stay in the hotel and take advantage of its facilities.

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
Spoke to my colleagues this morning. To answer more accurately some of your questions.
Domestic Airport from Intercontinental is about a 30 minute drive
The generally consesus was if you only have 4.5 hours you will struggle to see anything. It will take a least an hour to get you out of the slum area (as PVGSLF mentioned above) and then an hour back which doesn't leave you long. But if you are sure you want to go experience this they confirmed a driver would usually cost around £25/30 a day. I can get you a number if you wish.

Their advice was to stay in the hotel and take advantage of its facilities.

Paul

Sorry, domestic from international is 10-15 mins on the coach service provided, did it Saturday. It's sort of the same airport, more like going from T1 to T4!

As for going into Mumbai, if you hae 4.5 hrs before sunset then with traffic at a likely 1hr+ you'll have 3-ish hrs of sunlight to enjoy the Gateway to India and local area. Does it matter if you drive back in the dark? I'd do it.

As for the hotel, it's 2km from the airport and safely of the direction of approach and take-off, you should be ok. Actually, Google Earth has some new and good aerial pictures of Mumbai and if you select lodgings and transport you'll be able to find it!

Enjoy.

I would not say these are close enough to be considered part of the same airport. If you take a look the following page this would indicate they are at least 10kms apart. As for your journey time then I guess it would depend on the road conditions at the time and I assume it could also be done quicker.
http://www.mumbaiairport.com/php/showCo ... linkid=339

I do agree that the dark should not be an issue. I didn't feel at all at risk in the dark in Mumbai and infact you do get to see some incredible sights.

Paul

Mumbai is certainly an experience... and afterdark the driving is "interesting".
I've just extended my stay for another week I like it sooooo much!
Actually lazing by the pool in 35 degree sunshine in November is quite nice... especially since the wifi reaches the poolside and I can MSN friends and colleages telling them what a rough time i'm having[:o)]

So are the Denge and Cholera outbreaks not worrying you then?? Especially being so close to the "home" of both problems (ie Water!)

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
I would not say these are close enough to be considered part of the same airport. If you take a look the following page this would indicate they are at least 10kms apart. As for your journey time then I guess it would depend on the road conditions at the time and I assume it could also be done quicker.
http://www.mumbaiairport.com/php/showCo ... linkid=339

I do agree that the dark should not be an issue. I didn't feel at all at risk in the dark in Mumbai and infact you do get to see some incredible sights.

Paul

Paul

There are two ways to transit between the domestic and international terminals (1) is to take the free coach that goes inside the perimeter fence, this takes 10-15 mins and is quite interesting as it skirts the runways, taxiways and depots, (2) is to take a cab which goes by the external road and yes, this can take 30 mins upwards depending on the traffic. If you're simply transiting, then always take the coach, if you're going to a hotel, well that's another matter.

Hope that clears it up.

S

Yes it does. I wasn't aware that there was a internal bus so thanks for the info. I can also see how this would be a lot quicker.

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
So are the Denge and Cholera outbreaks not worrying you then?? Especially being so close to the "home" of both problems (ie Water!)

Paul

It's ok.. There is so much chlorine in the pool water that I come out bleached. Also keeping a high blood alchohol level deters the mozzies!

Evening folks, thanks for all the replies.

Getting to the Intercontinental from the Int'l airport? Is it easy as i HAVE HEARD YOU CAN QUEUE FOR A WHILE ??

cHEERS

Most hotels can offer you a collection service from the Airport. You will need to pre-book this but it is not expensive. The driver will wait outside the terminal with a name board. When we arrived not only was our driver waiting but there were lines and lines of taxis just waiting to be taken up. Even though we had a driver take us to his car other taxi driver were trying to take our bags from us in order to get our business.

Probably depends on the time of day etc but I can't see you having to wait.

Please remember that the standard Mumbai taxis are not air conditioned an even a short journey may get uncomforable. Most of the 'tourist vehicles' are air conditioned and this should include any car that the hotel send for you.

Why not give the hotel a call and see what they can organise for you.

Paul

Thanks for all the replies folks I have been unable to get access to the site from my PC! Pesky employers dont like us "not working" but as this is lunch break I am OK.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying trips or the countdown to there next one?

Thanks again

I really am trying to find out about the Intercontinental Grand Mumbai Airport Hotel, is there anyone there who has stayed in this Hotel? [?]

Are we still looking at flying on A343?

I have heard that the Coffee on board is good? [y][n][^]

Thanks

Originally posted by goanmad
Thanks for all the replies folks I have been unable to get access to the site from my PC! Pesky employers dont like us "not working" but as this is lunch break I am OK.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying trips or the countdown to there next one?

Thanks again

I stayed there earlier in the year. Nice hotel, amazing lobby.

On arriaval in BOM, I asked one of the hotel reservations kiosks to ring the hotel and ask them to send a car. He asked for 10 rupees. The car arrived in 15-20 miutes and was complimenatary.

The journey back took about 30 minutes and cost 400 rupees. This was added to the bill.

It will be a 343. I believe the 346's are too long.

Thanks for the reply Elwood.

It is good to hear from someone who has stayed there.

Is the Hotel Clean and tidy?

What are the rooms like?

Are the restaurants good, excellent or poor? Any recommendations?

The Bar area is good i hope?

Thanks very much

Ian [y]

Originally posted by Elwood Senese
I stayed there earlier in the year. Nice hotel, amazing lobby.

On arriaval in BOM, I asked one of the hotel reservations kiosks to ring the hotel and ask them to send a car. He asked for 10 rupees. The car arrived in 15-20 miutes and was complimenatary.

The journey back took about 30 minutes and cost 400 rupees. This was added to the bill.

It will be a 343. I believe the 346's are too long.

Ian , I think your getting a little excited about this trip , are you?

That is an understatement, it is nearly a year since we had a break so this trip is very,very welcome.

It is totally alien to us flying into Mumbai as we normally travel direct to Goa, this time we shopped around and got a fantastic deal with VS in UC. I always like to speak with people who have done the trips before, you find out so much more from them and of course the usual DO NOT GO THERE issue's!

Having said that work now allows me more time off, so as soon as we can get prices to Nairobi we will be lookin at that as well for Sept 07.

And the Cricket World Cup is in between so ther are plenty more trips coming up.

Merry Christmas to you.

Ian

Originally posted by porsche911
Ian , I think your getting a little excited about this trip , are you?

Thanks Ian - Have a great Xmas as well - India would do nothing for me to be honest , it just does not do anything for me to make me want to go - As for the far east I love it there

We love Kenya so the new Nairobi flights are of interst to us.

Thailand is one of our next points of interest.

India is a real different experience, and we love it, though the squalor takes some getting used to, as seasoned Indian visitors we now know what to expect.

Where in the Far East is your desirable place?

Ian

Originally posted by porsche911
Thanks Ian - Have a great Xmas as well - India would do nothing for me to be honest , it just does not do anything for me to make me want to go - As for the far east I love it there