Melbourne to Mumbai Flights

  About Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the most popular destinations in Australia. It is a blend of a laid-back lifestyle with a vibrant nightlife. Melbourne is also known for its world-class cuisines. It is a hot spot for musical events and club hopping. It is a vacation destination in an urban setup. The city is also closer to the ocean, which makes it popular among travellers. You can head to the beach whenever you want and try your hand at water sports like surfing, scuba diving and sea kayaking. There is also Yarra Valley, which is about an hour's drive from the city and is home to about 120 wineries. Melbourne is also known for its wildlife and is another major attraction among tourists. Be it high-end shopping arcades, restaurants, cafes or nightclubs and theatres, the small city accommodates everything and makes for the perfect vacation destination. While it is a popular place for people to head to with their friends, you will also find a lot of family-friendly spots in the city worth visiting. The city makes sure that you have a memorable trip.

Best Time to Visit Melbourne

Summer is one of the best seasons to visit Melbourne since you will get to make the most of all the ocean fun. December to February is summer in Melbourne and peak travel season, too. The temperature ranges from 14 to 26 degree Celsius, and it is the perfect season to head to the beach. Make sure you book your hotel in Melbourne well in advance since it will be difficult to find a good one at the last moment. If you are visiting Melbourne in December, you can also be a part of the Christmas celebrations in the city and ring in the New Year through some of the most happening parties here. If you are a sports fanatic, you can also attend the Australian Open that happens in January. Midsumma Festival, White Night Melbourne and Lonsdale St Greek Festival are some of the events you can attend in Melbourne if you are on your summer vacation. The city will be buzzing with tourists, and if you are a socially active person, you will love interacting with them and making new friends while you are at it.

March to May is the fall season and also one of the best times to visit Melbourne. The temperature ranges from 10 to 24 degree Celsius. The days are warm and the nights are comparatively less warm. The city has lesser tourists as compared to summer, and if you are not a fan of crowded places, this will be the best time for you to visit the city. You can also attend events like Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, Moomba Festival, Formula One Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and Next Wave Festival. June to August is the winter season in Melbourne, and the city is quite cold as compared to Sydney and Brisbane. The temperature ranges from 7 to 15 degree Celsius. This is a big-time for the city to host festivals related to food and films. You can attend the Good Food and Wine Show, Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival and Melbourne Writers Festival.

September to November is also a great time to head to Melbourne. You will come across great deals of flights to Melbourne and even get a decent accommodation at affordable prices. The temperature ranges from 9 to 22 degree Celsius, and there are a bunch of events for you to attend during this season, too. You can attend the Melbourne Writers Festival, Melbourne Fringe, Melbourne Festival, Melbourne Cup Carnival and Taste of Melbourne. You can get cheap flight tickets to Melbourne during this time since it is not tourist season. However, prices might start increasing as you begin inching towards summer. This is also a great time to hit the beach without having to deal with a lot of tourists.

Places to Visit in Melbourne

Dockland is a popular tourist spot in Melbourne. It is a happening shopping destination, pubs, nightclubs, amusement parks, cafes and parklands. The Melbourne Star, which is a giant Ferris wheel and Icehouse are popular places in the Dockland area. Shrine of Remembrance is a memorial in the Kings Domain garden is another place you must visit. It was built as a tribute to everyone who lost their lives in the First World War. One of the oldest railway stations in Australia, Flinders Street Station, is an iconic place to go sightseeing in Melbourne. If you are an art and history lover, you must also visit the Ian Potter Museum of Art. The entry to the museum is free, and you can also attend talk shows and exhibitions here. Sovereign Hill is another unique museum that you can visit. It showcases the lifestyle of people in the age of old days. You will also find hotels, a theatre, factories and underground mines here. If you want to go on a shopping spree, you can also head to Harbor Town. The place has a lot of shopping options, along with restaurants.

Head to 12 Apostles that have enormous limestone cliffs that are formed naturally. It is also closer to Port Campbell National Park. 12 Apostle is an ideal place to head to for breathtaking views, and you can take some of the best pictures here. Yarra Valley Wineries is one of the most popular wineries in the city. You can opt for a guided wine tour of food trails here. The place also has a gourmet restaurant for tourists. You must also visit the Peninsula Hot Spring to feel rejuvenated and relieve yourself of all the stress. Bath House and Dream Spa Centre are the most popular places here, and this is the best place to visit during winter. You can also try the Turkish Steambath here along with mud and salt wraps, massages, healing stone therapies, thermal mineral shower and much more. Healesville Sanctuary is near the Yarra Ranges and is also home to animals like koalas, platypus, Tasmanian devils, wombats and so on.

Things to do in Melbourne

You can opt for a sightseeing tour of the city, or you can explore the city on your own. The city has a vibrant nightlife, and you will love partying here. Nature lovers can head to the Port Campbell National Park and Melbourne Zoo. The city also has a lot of museums and places of historical importance that you can visit. You can also head to the beaches here to indulge in water activities. You can also sign up for a food and wine tasting tour online here. Make sure you also visit the Peninsula Hot Spring for a rejuvenating experience.

Food and Restaurants in Melbourne

Melbourne has a very eclectic dining scene, and you will find a lot of restaurants here that serve cuisines from all over the world. The city also has a lot of cafes. Cafe Andiamo and Two Birds One Stone are some of the most popular cafes in Melbourne. If you are craving some Chinese food or the best of Asian food that Melbourne has to offer, you can head to Rice Paper Scissors or Longrain. Scopri and Da Guido Melbourne la Pasta near Lygon Street are known for their delicious Italian cuisines. Head over to Stalactites for authentic Greek cuisines like souvlaki and spanakopita. Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Macedon and Sunbury are well-known wine regions in Melbourne that you can head to for an extraordinary wine and food experience. David's Spicy Pot is another famous place in Melbourne for Chinese and Asian food. The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife, and you can head to some of the popular nightclubs here. Geppetto Trattoria is another popular place for Italian food. Roule Galette Melbourne is known for serving traditional French cuisines and also has healthy options on its menu.

How to reach Melbourne (Transportation)

Melbourne Airport is the main international airport in Australia and about 23 km from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Melbourne from India is excellent. Cathay Pacific Airways, Srilankan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines are some of the popular airlines that have frequent flights to Melbourne from India with layovers at Hong Kong, Colombo and Kuala Lumpur. If you book well in advance, you might get cheap flight tickets to Melbourne. If you book during the off-season, you might even come across exciting flight deals to Melbourne online. It's easier to find a taxi or car rental service from the airport. The Melbourne Airport also has premium lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas and a lot of other facilities that passengers can use. The airport also has a currency exchange facility for its passengers. If you have reached the airport early or have to wait at the airport for a long time to board your flight, be assured that you will not be bored. You can finish your last-minute shopping at the airport or sit in a cafe and read a book.

 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.