Diu to Mumbai Flights

  About Diu

Diu is a quaint coastal town located in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The town lies on the eastern side of the Diu Island which is primarily famous for its majestic fortress and turquoise blue waters. Often people choose Diu as a place to unwind as the lifestyle is chill and the cuisine is perfect for a seafood lover. Diu is a proper fishing town and receives a majority of its income from the same. Many travellers from Gujarat and Maharashtra visit Diu as it close to them and has a good vacation vibe to it. Diu actually has a few interesting structures with historical significance that would pique your interest.

The flight connectivity from Diu to various big cities is exemplary. Many often get confused and wonder how to reach the city. Flights to Diu are quite cheap and affordable, making weekend travel plans happen. The city might not have lavish staycation options, but you can book a decent hotel room in Diu without worrying about the quality of hospitality. Since there are barely many places to check out, the trip can be wound up in a single weekend.

Best time to visit Diu

As a coastal city, the best time for you to explore the best that Diu has to offer is during winter. Starting from October and staying till February, the quaint town witnesses intermittent showers that come from the northeast monsoon. However, it doesn't affect the vibe of the place with its temperature ranging from 10 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius. Locals of Diu welcome winters with their arms open as it does bring several festivities along with it. From Nariyal Poornima to Christmas, there are quite a few festivals observed by Diu, which adds more charm to the town's winters. To be part of the festivities, you should also opt for a winter excursion at Diu. The festivals observed bring together the locals as they decorate the streets with dazzling decor, share rum cakes and wine and also, dance away to rejoice the city's spirits. It is quite an experience that would do you good.

The summers in Diu are also no short of a celebration. The weather is just as pleasant with little changes in the temperature, which ranges from 25 degree Celsius to 37 degree Celsius. Despite the high temperatures, the calm and cool sea breeze brings comfort.

The vast beaches of Nagoa and Ghoghla look their bluest blue as they reflect the sun's rays. Even though it is not typically a peak-season for Diu, the crowd does arrive to dive into the Arabian sea. It is also a good time to enjoy water sports. The flight tickets to Diu are also quite cheap and affordable during this season.

The monsoons of Diu are not the best messengers of hope, though. They fall on two separate occasions, one between June to September and the other between October and November. Due to the intermittent rainfall, the weather is not clear for sightseeing, and even the beaches don't look at their turquoise blue. Not to mention how the sudden rains could hamper your plans to sightsee within the city or maybe dig a hole in one of the Diu beaches. Plus, during rains, you cannot indulge in water sports, which wraps up half the activities that you could've done during your trip to Diu.

Places to visit in Diu

Diu might have a beach as the primary attraction, but it also boasts some impressive structures, including the Naida Caves. The labyrinths of the exquisite caves would keep you interested. The town has a cute Sea Shell Museum that you should check out. The interesting shells and their stories might surprise you. Vankabara Jetty is one of the busiest and most important places in Diu as a majority of import and export of fish, and other commodities take place through this space. You should walk around it and learn about its history from the locals. One of the biggest highlights of Diu is undoubtedly St Paul's Church. Located just a few meters from the Diu Fort, the church boasts neoclassical appearance. It is well-maintained and definitely has quite the intriguing architecture that one can expect from a Portuguese-style display. It might also make you feel like you've landed in Goa.

Things to do in Diu

While on the beach, you simply cannot miss indulging in some water sports. Depending on which beach you're in, some organisers will help you out with water sports activities. The Portuguese did quite a good job with building water-facing fortresses to protect the town from any unprecedented attacks. The colonial rule may have ended, but the lovely forts continue to stand tall as the waves lash at the rocks. Plus, you get the best view of the Arabian Sea from the top of the fort so do trek up the little trail and be marvelled by the architecture. Speaking of architecture, taking a stroll to explore the city lanes of Diu is another activity that you can take up. The streets are decked up with interesting houses that have Portuguese-inspired architecture.

Food and Restaurants in Diu

Diu's cuisine comes with some Portuguese influence as it was once a colony of the Europeans. You will find a brilliant blend of flavours in their cuisine as it sustains the Indianness in the food despite its Portuguese elements. This is something you'll primarily notice in the way they cook their fish and seafood. Since Portugal is also a country surrounded by water on one side, they share the same enthusiasm when it comes to seafood. From lobsters to crustaceans, you will find all kinds of seafood here made with a European touch that will transport you to a different world.

You will find Silver Pomfret in Diu. It is said that the fish is actually the largest of its kind that you won't find anywhere else in India. Some of the famous dishes include Penn de calamari, which is basically pasta with squid. You should also taste Cozido de peixe, a fish stew which has distinct flavours. The shrimp soup, also known as Caldinho de Camarao, is another speciality of Diu that you should try out when you're in the city. While the city might have heavy Portuguese cuisine to rave about, they also relish Parsi food and have Dhansak available.

For exquisite seafood with Portuguese blend, you should check out Cats Eye Restaurant, O'Coqueiro Restaurant, Rivera Restaurant and Bar and Night Heron Restaurant. For vegetarians, Apana Foodland is probably the only place in Diu that serves lip-smacking dishes. You should also visit Ram Vijay, which is an ice cream parlour.

How to reach Diu (Transportation)

By Air

Despite being in the airports league, Diu is often misunderstood not to have a runway or a dedicated airport. However, this is not true because the Union Territory does have an airport going by the name Diu airport. Before the colonial rule ended, Diu was part of India colonised by the Portuguese. The flight connectivity to Diu from various metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad are quite good. Air Deccan and SpiceJet have reserved dedicated flights to Diu, which travels to and from the city regularly. The airport is located only 5 km away from the main city, making travelling extremely convenient. It is also closer to Nagoa Beach, which assures that the take-off and landing views would be a visual spectacle.

The airport is not spacious and can only accommodate a handful. However, it is always on demand, making flying to Diu a little difficult. As long as you book your tickets to Diu in advance, you will be able to avail some good flight deals. In fact, if you book at the right time, you might find some cheap tickets to Diu too.

By Rail

Diu does not have a dedicated railway station. In fact, for railway services, travellers will have to go to Veraval or Somnath. These two cities are actually quite far from Diu. While Somnath is 63 km away, Veraval is at 67 km. Hence, trains are the last resort that travellers consider.

By Road

Diu has excellent roadway connectivity. Several domestic routes through NH 8 connect Diu to some of the big cities in India. Although cities such as Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Rajkot are over 200 km away from Diu, the road network is so amazing that the travel time is reduced from these cities. Not to mention how the roads are well-maintained, adding to the convenience of the driver. There are some state-run buses between Diu and Ahmedabad that run regularly. Aside from the government-owned buses, there are private serviced buses available too. Even though some buses traverse inter-city, many big cities do not have a dedicated series of buses to Diu. Most people travel to either Ahmedabad or Mumbai to take a road trip to Diu. It is a viable option and easily doable as the roads are well-connected.

 About Mumbai

Mumbai is to India is what New York is to America, a city of dreams. The place with its rich heritage and urbane culture has since forever brought forth people from all walks of life together. It is also recognised as the commercial capital of India with over millions of migrants flocking over from different parts of the country and even world! Mumbai is the second big city in India after Delhi and has a busy airport as well as an active lifestyle. The city has far too many beautiful places to visit and culture to take in. Mumbai has been named after Mumba Devi and is the state Maharashtra's capital. The flight connectivity of Mumbai is splendid with various major cities in the world, making it one of the most important cities.

Best time to visit Mumbai

Fixing an ideal season to visit Mumbai can be tricky as the city is always bustling with energy and travellers. The winters in Mumbai are pleasant as the temperatures drop, and the city's festive spirit takes over. Even though the atmosphere is humid during winter, the city life would not cease to amaze you. Mumbai's monsoon is legendary as everybody loves and hates the city's rains at the same time. From June to September, the city of Mumbai experiences heavy rain which could be cumbersome for travelling but beautiful nevertheless. Flight tickets to Mumbai are often a little pricey as the city is an important commercial hub. The living expenses and accommodation has a range from cheap to extravagant. You can book a hotel in Mumbai or pick the hostel life.

Places to visit in Mumbai

The city is full of vibrant places and heritages to explore. The top attractions of Mumbai include the Gateway of India. Located right at the Colaba bay is the beautiful gate-like structure build by the Britishers. The structure continues to attract tourists to this day as it faces the beautiful Arabian Sea on one side and the Taj Mahal hotel on the other. While you're exploring South Mumbai, you should check out the ancient Asian Library which is located at Horniman Circle. The steps of the library is a prime spot for concerts hosted by Kala Ghoda Festival. You should also visit the Taraporewala Aquarium which has some beautiful marine life, including the remains of an enormous whale. The Nehru Planetarium located in Worli is an interesting complex where you will be blessed with some fabulous mysteries of the universe.

Beaches

Located on the coast, Mumbai's shores touch the Arabian Sea. The crowded beaches might not be clean as compared to some of the pristine blue shores of Goa or Kerala, but the vibrant energy of people enjoying the sunset on the beach is a wholesome experience. You can check out beaches such as Juhu Beach, Versova Beach, Girgaum Chowpatty Beach, Gorai Beach and Aksa Beach, to name a few. A little away from the city centre lies this untouched beach called Rajodi Beach, where you can actually learn how to surf.

Pilgrimage

Mumbai is also famous for its love for Lord Ganesha. The famous Siddhivinayak Temple is interestingly located at the heart of the city, in Dadar. The temple sees a staggering footfall regularly as many devotees worship the power of Lord Ganesha. During Ganesh Chaturthi, the pandals built around the temple looks exquisite. Another important pilgrimage is the Haji Ali, located on the Arabian Sea and connected to the city by a narrow bridge. Close to the Haji Ali is the Mahalakshmi Temple, also nestled by the edge of the sea. You should also visit Mount Mary in Bandra. Other important temples include Mumba Devi and ISKCON.

Things to do in Mumbai

Walk on the promenade popularly known as Marine Drive

The much-hyped Marine Drive, also known as Queen's Necklace, is a promenade constructed by the city. Many movies have been shot with Marine Drive as the backdrop. There is literally no reason yet every reason to check out this place, sit over the promenade and stare at the wide sea.

Shop at Colaba Causeway Market

Colaba Causeway is another prominent marketplace in the city that is forever crowded. Causeway's collection of accessories, clothes, chappals and the area, everything is a vibe that you'd want to be a part of. Plus, famous cafes such as Mondegar and Leopold are also located here.

Spend a day at Goregaon Film City

Mumbai's biggest highlight and gift to the world is Bollywood. Home to one of the biggest film industries in the world, the Goregaon Film City is one such place you simply cannot miss when in the city. Watch the actors play their roles in a make-believe set that you've always watched in the comfort of your couch at home.

Explore the Sanjay Gandhi National Park

A little away from the city centre is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, also known as the city's lungs, is a vast expanse of lush green forest. You can rent cycles and explore the national park, opt for trekking and trek the trails leading to Kanheri Caves or simply just pack a lunch and indulge in some picnic at the park.

Food and Restaurants in Mumbai

The list of places with the best food in Mumbai is exhausting. The city, with its urban lifestyle, has a type of restaurant and food for every kind of crowd. For the ones who want to get their hands dirty (literally) with Mumbai's street food culture, Khao gallis is the place to be at. There are many Khao gallis in the city, starting from Churchgate to Ghatkopar. These lanes are dedicated spots for hawkers and street food owners to sell their speciality. You'll find vada pavs, pav bhaji stalls, chat corners, Anna with his slew of South Indian dishes like idli, vada, dosa, guys selling small street pizzas, frankie rolls, etc.

For the ones who wish to indulge in some pricey lounge setting, you should head to Masala Library, Gaylord, Hakkasan, The Bombay Canteen, Olive, The Clearing House, Bastian, Wasabi, to name a few. These places are celebrated and have been founded by renowned chefs from the culinary field. If you do not have any preferences as such, then you should visit some of the popular cafes and restaurants that have been part of Mumbai for a long time. These include Kyani's, Britannia & Co, Bademiya, Cafe Madras, Cafe Mondegar, Sardar Pav Bhaji, Cafe Gulshan, Cafe Leopold, O Pedro, Imbiss, to name a few.

How to reach Mumbai

By Air

Mumbai is one of the busiest cities in India, as is the city's domestic and international airport. As the commercial capital of the country, the city's domestic and international airports are admirably connected to big cities in the country and globally. Flights to and from Mumbai fly to various big cities in India such as Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Guwahati and basically most of the cities in the country. Formerly known by the name Sahar International Airport, the airport was re-christened to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Terminal 2) while the domestic airport has been named Santacruz Airport (Terminal 1). It is important for you to know from which terminal you'll be boarding the flight from Mumbai as they are located in two diverse sides of the city.

The airport has major Indian and international airlines stationed at the airport. These include IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Etihad Airways, Emirates and more. Mumbai's international routes are crowded too as there are multitudes of flights flying to global cities namely, New York, San Francisco, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Tokyo and more. Travelling from the airport within the city is quite convenient as there are taxi cabs, Ola and Uber services, rickshaws and buses that can be found right outside the airport. In fact, 1 km away from the airport is the Mumbai Metro which connects the city's varied geography.

By Rail

The railway network of Mumbai is touted to be one of the best in the city. It has direct train connections to various cities in India. These cities include Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and more. The city has two main terminals namely Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Mumbai Central, from where you can take outstation trains. However, much recently, they opened the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, which also connects to various parts of the country. There are mail trains and express trains that travel from the Mumbai city, including Mumbai Rajdhani, Duronto, Konkan Kanya Express and more. The excellent connectivity of Mumbai with other cities makes it easy to traverse.

By Road

Major national highways connect Mumbai to various parts of India. You can literally take a road trip to anywhere you want from Mumbai without any hassle. In fact, you can travel from any part of the country and reach Mumbai with its impeccable roadway connections. Not to mention how there are several buses run by the state and private owners that travel from the city regularly. Many travellers often opt for road trips as the roads leading up to Mumbai are beautiful. Travelling by buses is quite economical as well. 

  About Mumbai Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which was acknowledged as Sahar International Airport, is a prominent international airport that serves the Mumbai metropolis. It is deemed to be the second busiest airport in India, after Delhi, with respect to international passenger traffic and cargo traffic. Recently, the airport crossed London's Gatwick Airport to become the world's busiest airports to operate a single runway at a time. The airport is sprawled across 1,850 acres and takes care of about 950 aircraft movements in a day. The airport has been awarded various titles including, "Best Airport in India and Central Asia". Mumbai airport is also recognised as one of the three airports to implement Airport Collaborative Decision Making in India. A-CDM has been implemented to ensure that the efficiency in terms of takeoffs and landings, along with other necessary facilities.

About Mumbai Airport Terminals

Initially, the Mumbai Airport, also previously known as Sahar International Airport, had both the international and domestic terminals located in the same airport. With the introduction of T2, the terminals were divided into dedicated domestic and international airports, sharing the same runway and airport complex. The domestic airport, also called the Santacruz Airport, served flights to primarily operate domestic airlines and low-cost carriers. Meanwhile, the international airport focussed on international airlines and flights flying out of the city. However, much recently, all the domestic and international flight activities have been shifted to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Terminal 2 has many provisions, including multi-level parking for 5,000 cars, 192 check-in counters, 60 immigration counters for departure, 14 baggage carousels and 76 immigration booths for arrival. There are many numerous lounges, including the GVK lounge, which is a luxury lounge. There are lounges for Business class travellers and first-class passengers as well.

About airport authority

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is owned and served by MIAL (Mumbai International Airport Private Limited). MIAL is a consortium of GVK Industries Ltd., Bidvest, Airports Company South Africa and Airports Authority of India. While the consortium holds 74 per cent ownership, the other 26 per cent is owned by the Airports Authority of India. Ever since the MIAL venture has come into existence, the international airport has witnessed tremendous infrastructural growth. There are tremendous improvements in terms of the aesthetics, passenger convenience, design and refurbishing of the domestic terminals 1A&1B as well as the international terminals 2B & 2C. A new domestic terminal 1C has also been introduced in Terminal 2. MIAL has also undertaken projects to improve the taxiways, aprons and rehabilitation of both the runways.

Facilities at the Mumbai Airport

Child care centres: To make travelling with young ones easier and convenient, special child care rooms have been created at the Mumbai Airport. The room is reserved to cater to the needs of young kids ranging from changing diapers to feeding and many such necessities. It is well-sanitised and is well-maintained to ensure that the mother feels safe. Baby strollers have also been made available at the airport

Smoking zones: Enclosed smoking rooms have been arranged for at the Mumbai Airport. The smoking lounges are facilitated to ensure that the atmosphere of the airport is smoke-free. You can also purchase packets at the airport.

WiFi and Telecommunication Services: WiFi and telecommunication services are also available at the Mumbai Airport. There are free WiFis and Premium WiFis available. This way, you wouldn't have to compromise on your business and professional obligations. You can also find SIM card facilities at the airport for a temporary SIM if you have come for a short period of time.

Medical Centre: The Mumbai Airport is well-equipped with medical services to cater to emergencies. There are ICU ambulances and medical centres catering to medical emergencies 24/7. They are spread out in the airport's vicinity.

Luggage services, cloak room and baggage trolleys: Special storage services have been accommodated where you can keep your luggage and other items. Other luggage facilities include depositing of the baggage at the domestic terminal and receiving them at the international terminal. You can also find baggage trolleys outside the airport as well as in the terminal.

ATMs and Currency exchange: The airport also has provisions for foreign exchange. The airport also has ATMs and other money-related facilities to make travelling more convenient for passengers. The airport has a bevy of foreign exchange counters, ATMs and banks.

Valet parking and other parking facilities: Mumbai airport also has valet parking and other parking services. You can pay a nominal fee and keep your car at the airport's parking zone. You can also avail from their valet parking services.

Play zone, prayer and meditation rooms: If you are travelling with kids, you can actually take them to the play area that has been reserved for kids. They are safe and child-friendly. The airport also has special rooms for multi-faith prayer rooms as well as meditation halls. While you wait for your flight and are nervous, you can use this time to relax and calm your nerves.

Restaurants and cafes: The airport has a slew of restaurants and cafes that you can check out. From classic local establishments such as Shiv Sagar to globally recognised joints such as Burger King, McDonald's and KFC, you can find them at the airport. There are provisions for restaurants serving liquor as well.

Automated buggies: To make commute within the airport convenient, you can also take the buggy services. They will pick you up from the security check and drop you at the boarding area. The services are especially recommended for people with medical conditions and disabilities. The airport also has wheelchairs and other services to commute within the terminal.

Postal services: The Mumbai airport also has provision for postal services. Postal services are located at the exit of both the terminals of Mumbai airport. If you have any last-minute document that needs to be mailed, you wouldn't need to worry about it.

VIP lounge: The airport is also host to many VIP lounges and upscaled restaurants and food establishments. If you are a premium member at any of the airlines with airport lounge as one of the perks, you will be able to benefit the privileges of the VIP lounge as well as the services provided by them.

Top airlines flying from the Mumbai Airport

Mumbai airport is excellently connected to major domestic and international cities. Unsurprisingly, it is known to be the second busiest airport in the country due to its phenomenal ability to accommodate a slew of international and domestic airlines. In fact, the airport witnesses approximately 950 aircraft activities on a daily basis. Mumbai airport connects domestic cities such as Rajkot, Dehradun, Madurai, Lucknow, Kannur, Leh, Ranchi, Jabalpur and more. Thanks to the brilliant connectivity Mumbai has with other cities in the country, it doesn't require any connecting flights too. In fact, the Mumbai airport has a majority of airlines operating from the city. Airlines such as Alliance Air, Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, TruJet and Vistara operate from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The city also harbours a plethora of international cities and flights. The international airlines operating from Mumbai airport are quite similar to the ones that operate from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. International airlines such as Air Asia, Air Arabia, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, Air Tanzania, Bangkok Airways, Bhutan Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, IranAir, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Uzbekistan Airways, operate from Mumbai airport. Thanks to the immaculate connectivity, the city sees a lot of crowd flocking over from various other cities and towns to take international flights.

How to reach the Mumbai Airport

The domestic and the international airport of Mumbai have separate gateways to enter. While the domestic airport, Terminal 1, also known as Santacruz Airport, is located in Santacruz, the international airport, T2, is located in Andheri. To reach Mumbai airport, it is imperative that you know which terminal you need to catch your flight from. Depending on the same, you can travel to the airport.

By Rail

To reach Mumbai airport Terminal 1, the closest railway station is Ville Parle railway station which falls on the Western and Harbour Line of the Mumbai railway network. Meanwhile, to reach the international Mumbai airport, Terminal 2, you should get down at the Andheri station lying on the Mumbai railway network. From here, you can take a rickshaw and reach the city. Mumbai's metro line is perfectly connected with Airport Road and Marol Naka stations while T1 is close to the Western Express Highway station. Both the terminals are very close to the Mumbai Metro. The city is currently expanding the Mumbai metro line further by adding more lines to connect to the airport. An underground network from Cuffe Parade to SEEPZ is in the works which have one stop at the Santacruz airport and the other close to the GVK SkyCity terminal.