Mumbai Airport is one of the busiest in Asia and operates around the clock. Many international flights from the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia arrive between 11 PM and 4 AM.
What is open
Terminal 2 operates 24/7. Immigration is staffed for all arriving flights. The pre-paid taxi counter is open around the clock. Currency exchange and ATMs are available. Some food outlets close after midnight but a few remain open.
Transport after midnight
Pre-paid taxi counter is your most reliable option. It operates 24/7 with fixed rates:
| Destination | Pre-paid fare | |---|---| | Bandra | INR 500-600 (€5.50-6.50) | | Andheri | INR 350-450 (€3.80-5) | | Lower Parel / Worli | INR 700-900 (€7.50-10) | | Colaba / Fort (South Mumbai) | INR 900-1,200 (€10-13) | | Juhu | INR 400-500 (€4.30-5.50) |
Uber and Ola work through the night. Wait times are usually under 10 minutes even at 2 AM — Mumbai has plenty of late-night drivers. Surge pricing is rare in very late hours (peaks around 11 PM-midnight).
Pre-booked transfers work 24/7 with no night surcharge. Driver waits in arrivals with a name sign. Best for first-time visitors.
Mumbai Metro does not serve the airport directly yet. Buses are not practical at night.
The silver lining
Mumbai's notorious traffic disappears after 11 PM. The drive to South Mumbai takes 40-50 minutes at night versus 90-120 minutes during the day. The Western Express Highway is mostly empty. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link (toll INR 75) is a smooth, scenic drive at night.
Safety
Mumbai is generally safe at night on main roads. Use the pre-paid counter or app-based cabs. Do not accept rides from people approaching you inside the terminal. The pre-paid counter assigns a specific car and records the license plate.
Hotels near the airport
Several hotels are within 10-15 minutes in Andheri and Sahar Road area. Pre-paid taxi fare: INR 200-350 (€2-4). Good option if you do not want to travel far at 3 AM.