Quick Summary
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has two terminals. T1 handles domestic flights for IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air. T2 handles all international flights and domestic flights by Air India and Air India Express. The terminals are 4 km apart — a free shuttle connects them. Book your Mumbai flights on happyfares.in for zero convenience fees.
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (IATA: BOM) is India’s second-busiest airport, processing over 52 million passengers in FY 2024–25 (Airports Authority of India, 2025). It serves as the primary gateway for Maharashtra and handles an enormous mix of domestic and international traffic. The airport has two terminals — T1 and T2 — that serve different airlines. Picking the wrong terminal is a costly mistake. This guide tells you exactly where to go, what to expect, and how to make the most of your time at BOM.
> **TL;DR:** Mumbai Airport T1 serves IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air domestic flights. T2 handles all international flights and Air India domestic. BOM processed over 52 million passengers in FY 2024–25 (AAI, 2025). The terminals are 4 km apart with a free shuttle. Book on HappyFares — your terminal is confirmed in every booking.
[INTERNAL-LINK: airport lounge access India → airport-lounge-access-india-2026]
What Is the Difference Between Mumbai Airport T1 and T2?
Mumbai Airport T2 is one of India’s most acclaimed airport terminals, handling over 40 million passengers annually and winning multiple global design awards. Opened in 2014, T2 was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) — the same firm behind Bengaluru’s Terminal 2 — and features an art wall spanning over 3 km displaying 7,000 works from Indian artists (CSIA, 2024). T1, by contrast, is older and more utilitarian, handling high-volume domestic low-cost traffic efficiently.
The core difference is simple: T1 is for budget domestic carriers, and T2 is for full-service domestic plus all international flights. If you know your airline, you know your terminal — with one exception, which we’ll cover below.
[INTERNAL-LINK: web check-in guide → web-check-in-guide-indian-airlines-2026]
Terminal 1 (T1) — Domestic Low-Cost Carriers
T1 at Mumbai Airport handles domestic operations for IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air. It is a high-volume terminal designed for quick turnarounds — check-in, security, and boarding happen at a fast clip. The terminal is divided into two piers: T1B (primarily IndiGo) and T1C (primarily SpiceJet and Akasa Air). Both share the same terminal building with a common security area.
Facilities at T1 are functional. There are food stalls, a few coffee counters, Wi-Fi, and charging points. Don’t expect the art installations or premium dining you’ll find at T2. But T1 is efficient — domestic check-in lines move quickly and security is well-staffed during peak hours.
Terminal 2 (T2) — International + Full-Service Domestic
T2 handles all international departures and arrivals at Mumbai, plus domestic flights operated by Air India and Air India Express. It is the flagship terminal — spanning approximately 4.42 lakh square metres across four levels with 188 check-in counters, 4 piers, 52 aerobridges, and 48 immigration counters (CSIA, 2024).
T2’s signature feature is “Art Wall” — the longest continuous art installation in the world at over 3 km, displaying folk art, contemporary works, and artefacts curated from 7,000 pieces. The terminal also has a range of premium dining, branded retail, two international lounges, and multiple airline lounges. It is genuinely worth arriving early if you’re departing from T2.
[CHART: Pie chart — T1 vs T2 passenger share at Mumbai Airport — source: AAI/CSIA]
Which Airline Uses Which Terminal at Mumbai Airport?
Here is the complete terminal guide for Mumbai Airport in 2026:
| Airline | Domestic Terminal | International Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | T1 | T2 |
| SpiceJet | T1 | T2 |
| Akasa Air | T1 | T2 |
| Air India (domestic) | T2 | T2 |
| Air India Express | T2 | T2 |
| Emirates | — | T2 |
| Qatar Airways | — | T2 |
| Singapore Airlines | — | T2 |
| British Airways | — | T2 |
| Etihad Airways | — | T2 |
The one exception to watch for: Air India operates both domestic and international flights from T2. So if you’re on an Air India domestic flight, you go to T2 — not T1. This catches many travellers off guard.
Key Rule:
All international flights use T2. Domestic IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air use T1. Domestic Air India and Air India Express use T2. When in doubt, check your e-ticket terminal field or the CSMIA website.
How Far Apart Are T1 and T2, and How Do You Transfer?
T1 and T2 are approximately 4 km apart by road, and there is no airside connection between them. Mumbai Airport provides a free inter-terminal shuttle bus that runs between T1 and T2 approximately every 20 minutes during operational hours. The journey takes 15 to 20 minutes. If you need to transfer between terminals — for example, arriving on a T1 domestic flight and then connecting to an international flight at T2 — allow at least 90 minutes for the connection.
The shuttle pickup points are clearly marked outside the arrivals exits at both terminals. For connecting passengers, collect your baggage, clear customs if required, and then follow the “Inter-Terminal Transfer” signs to the shuttle bay. The shuttle is free and available to all passengers.
Connecting Domestic to International at Mumbai
If you’re arriving on a low-cost domestic carrier (IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air) at T1 and connecting to an international flight at T2, the minimum connection time is 2 to 2.5 hours on separate tickets. You will need to reclaim baggage at T1, take the shuttle to T2, re-check your bags for the international flight, and clear international security. This takes time — don’t book anything tighter unless both legs are on a single PNR with the same airline covering the connection.
[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE] In our experience, the T1-to-T2 transfer at Mumbai is one of the trickier connections at any Indian airport. The shuttle is reliable, but the time pressure is real. Travellers who miss this connection often end up with a one-way ticket problem — the domestic arrival airline has no obligation to rebook you onto a separately ticketed international flight. Book through itineraries with sufficient connection time, or book on HappyFares where fare combinations are clearly displayed.
Lounges at Mumbai Airport
Mumbai T2 has excellent lounge options for both domestic and international travellers. The primary lounges are:
GVK Lounge (T2 — Domestic and International)
The GVK Lounge at T2 is accessible to domestic and international travellers with Priority Pass, DragonPass, and select premium credit cards including HDFC Infinia, Diners Club Black, and SBI Elite. It offers a buffet, showers, Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a business centre. The domestic GVK Lounge is airside — accessible after security for domestic departures from T2.
Air India Maharaja Lounge (T2)
The Maharaja Lounge is available to Air India Business Class passengers, Executive Platinum and Platinum frequent flyers, and Star Alliance Gold card holders. It offers full catering, a bar, showers, and a dedicated team for special requests.
International Airline Lounges (T2)
Emirates, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, and other major carriers operate their own premium lounges at T2 for First and Business Class passengers and top-tier frequent flyers. These are access-controlled and vary by airline policy.
Lounge Access at T1
T1 does not have a Priority Pass lounge. A basic CISF-linked lounge exists but access is limited and card benefits vary. If lounge access matters to you, T1 is not the terminal for it. Check your card’s specific lounge tie-ups before assuming entry.
[INTERNAL-LINK: best credit cards for flight booking → best-credit-cards-flight-booking-2026]
Food and Dining at Mumbai Airport
Dining at T1
T1 has a compact food court with quick-service counters. You’ll find Café Coffee Day, Burger King, and a handful of Indian snack outlets. Pre-security options are cheaper. Post-security, the selection narrows but covers the basics — sandwiches, biryani, coffee, and packaged snacks. Budget ₹200 to ₹500 for a meal at T1.
Dining at T2
T2’s dining scene is substantially richer. Airside in the international departures area, you’ll find a multi-level food court with McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Mahesh Lunch Home, Sarvana Bhavan, Social, The Irish House, and Starbucks, among others. The art wall and natural light create a pleasant dining environment. A meal here costs ₹600 to ₹1,500 per person. There’s also a 24-hour food zone near the gates for night departures.
DigiYatra at Mumbai Airport
Both T1 and T2 at Mumbai Airport support DigiYatra, India’s facial recognition-based paperless boarding programme. Registered passengers skip manual document checks at entry gates and security, typically saving 15 to 20 minutes during busy periods. The system reduced manual intervention at security lanes by approximately 30% at pilot airports including Mumbai (DigiYatra Foundation, 2025).
To use DigiYatra at Mumbai, register once on the DigiYatra app with your Aadhaar. Your biometric profile is device-stored and used only for your current journey. For domestic travellers at T1 — where queues build quickly during morning peaks — DigiYatra is one of the most practical ways to save time.
[UNIQUE INSIGHT] DigiYatra adoption at Mumbai T1 has been particularly strong because the terminal has higher dwell-time pressure than T2 — fewer seating options and tighter gate areas mean every minute of security time saved matters more. If you fly T1 regularly, enrolling in DigiYatra is one of the highest-value five-minute investments you can make.
Tips for First-Time Flyers at Mumbai Airport
Mumbai Airport can feel overwhelming on your first visit. Here are the things that actually matter:
- Confirm your terminal the night before. Check your boarding pass, e-ticket, or the CSMIA website. T1 and T2 are in opposite directions at Mumbai — a wrong turn costs you 30 minutes minimum.
- Account for Mumbai traffic. The road to the airport from South Mumbai or Bandra can take 45 to 75 minutes during peak hours. Add buffer time. For T2 international flights, aim to arrive 3 hours early.
- Complete web check-in. Most airlines allow check-in 24 to 48 hours before departure. At T1, this means you can head straight to bag drop and skip the check-in queue.
- Enrol in DigiYatra before you fly. Especially for T1 departures — security lanes during morning peak are long for non-DigiYatra passengers.
- Keep your boarding pass screen brightness high. Scanners at Mumbai struggle with low-brightness screens. Turn up your brightness before reaching the scanner.
- Use the Skywalk at T2. T2 has an elevated walkway connecting the car park to the terminal — it’s faster than ground-level approaches and avoids the drop-off traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which terminal does IndiGo use at Mumbai Airport?
IndiGo operates domestic flights from Terminal 1 (T1). IndiGo international flights depart from Terminal 2 (T2). Confirm your terminal on your boarding pass or HappyFares booking confirmation before heading to the airport.
Q: How far apart are T1 and T2 at Mumbai Airport?
The terminals are approximately 4 km apart by road. A free inter-terminal shuttle bus takes 15 to 20 minutes. If connecting between terminals, allow at least 90 minutes and ideally 2 to 2.5 hours for international connections on separate tickets.
Q: Is DigiYatra available at Mumbai Airport?
Yes. DigiYatra is available at both T1 and T2. Registered passengers use biometric lanes at entry and security checkpoints for faster processing. Register on the DigiYatra app using Aadhaar before your next Mumbai flight.
Q: Which credit card lounges are available at Mumbai Airport T2?
The GVK Lounge at T2 is accessible via Priority Pass, DragonPass, and select premium credit cards including HDFC Infinia and Diners Club Black. The Air India Maharaja Lounge is available to Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members. T1 has no Priority Pass lounge.
Q: Which terminal does Akasa Air use at Mumbai Airport?
Akasa Air operates domestic flights from Terminal 1 (T1). Always check your Akasa Air booking confirmation or the CSMIA official website for the latest terminal information before you travel.
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Last updated: April 2026. Terminal assignments are subject to change — always verify with your airline before travel. Sources: Airports Authority of India (AAI), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSIA/GVK), DigiYatra Foundation.
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