Mumbai to Auckland Flights

 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 Auckland

New Zealand's most populous city, Auckland, is known to be one of the best cities to visit for a cheap winter vacation. Auckland is a cosmopolitan city that houses multitudes of races and cultures. Not to mention how it is also the abode to the largest Polynesian population in the globe. The city was once a British colony and hence, continues to have some Victorian influence in their lifestyle as well as architecture. The city is known to be one of the most overpriced cities in the world. Yet, thanks to the humble crowd and beautiful landscapes, it easily becomes one of the best places to settle in. The city is vibrant with music and food festivals that take place in spring and autumn, respectively.

Booking flight tickets to Auckland well in advance would be favourable for you. Since the city will be an expensive rendezvous, by striking good flight deals to Auckland, you will be able to enjoy the city's spirit. Not to mention, booking hotels in Auckland much before the date of arrival is also essential. That way, you might be able to get some cheap deals on accommodation as well.

Best time to visit Auckland

The start of autumn in Auckland are pleasant with the temperatures ranging between 10 degree Celsius to 22 degree Celsius which makes it ideal for tourists to engage in outdoor activities. It is easily the best time to indulge in adventure sports such as zip-lining, hiking and exploring the city's green expanses. The months from March to May, which is basically the autumn season, witnesses the most charming weather. Aside from indulging in outdoor activities, travellers mostly root for various festivals that are held around the city. The months are ideal for budget-travellers. In fact, booking a hotel in Auckland during this season is also quite affordable. Patrons of art and culture festivals would have the time of their life during their visit to Auckland in autumn, courtesy all the festive vibe of the place.

September to November is also known to be ideal for a trip to Auckland. These months experience spring season with the cold winters melting away to welcome the summers. Spring is basically the onset of summer and touted to be one of the best seasons for Auckland. Interestingly, since it prepares the city for summers, the weather is charming and the vibe friendly. Although the temperatures are normally on the lower side of the thermometer, you will still enjoy the cold breeze and the occasional showers. During spring, the locals unite to ring in a food festival where there are dozens of delicious dishes that are Auckland-special.

Not only will you experience astounding flavours mixing together but will also enjoy the festive mood that takes over. Flights to Auckland during this time see a tremendous spike as it is the best time to travel. In fact, months from September to February are ideal for travellers who arrive from tropical cities. The summers would also feel like winter. Booking hotel rooms in Auckland during the spring or even summer season would be quite pricey. Unless you have some good saved up miles or savings in general, travelling here during peak season would burn a hole in your pocket.

Summers are perfect in Auckland as the sun is bright while the atmosphere is cool. People traversing from countries with hot climates would find the summers amiable and cool enough. However, summers also bring a plethora of adventure junkies and abundant tourists. No wonder the accommodation prices in Auckland during these months spike up. But if you manage to place in advance, you might be able to snag some cheap flight deals to Auckland and on hotel room prices.

Places to visit in Auckland

One of the biggest attractions in New Zealand has got to be the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It is a natural wonder located a little away from Auckland but hosts illuminating glowworms that rest easy on the cave ceiling of Waitomo. The exquisite blue lights that they illuminate is scintillating. You can use either a kayak in the cave, or you can book a boat ride to visit the caves. The Auckland Zoo is located approximately 6 km away from the main city. The huge animal sanctuary is sprawled across a vast expanse of green lands which is known to host the largest population of exotic as well as native animals in all of New Zealand.

Many people are not well aware of the history and culture of New Zealand. Having been down under, the country is still a fresh new chapter that needs to be explored for many enthusiasts. With a view to educating tourists about the Maori people and their illustrious history, the city maintains an Auckland War Memorial Museum. The museum sheds light on the militia history of the country as well as venerates the martyrs. Auckland's fame majorly comes from two tourist attractions, the Hobbiton movie set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Although the movie set is located about 177 km away from the main city, the set is a must-visit for all The Lord Of the Rings and The Hobbit movie franchise fans. The lush green spread is too beautiful for words, as is the movie-set experience. Another top attraction of Auckland is the famed Mount Eden, known for its dormant volcano.

Things to do in Auckland

Much like the famous Central Park in New York, the Cornwall Park of Auckland holds the same stature in the country. The park literally sits on a volcanic cone with extensive greenery and dense forests. As you walk around the park, you will find relics of the Maori fort and even the remains of the park's donor, Sir John Logan Campbell. The Waitakere Ranges Regional Park beckons travel and adventure junkies who simply want to unwind by taking up some fun activity. The regional park is sprawled across 40,000 acres of beaches and forests, making it quite an attractive site. The place also accommodates bird-watching, hiking, strolling, biking and taking a swim in the water. Just a day here would put you in a comfortable space. Be it the foodie in you or the adventure seeker, Waiheke island is the ideal spot for you if the water is what you seek.

Devonport is an important harbour in the suburbs of Auckland. The port offers a stunning view of the city and is perfect for photography. You can carry your cameras with you and start clicking away postcard-worthy memories. Aside from all the photography, you can also take a stroll around the harbour and relish the lovely colonial architecture as well as amazing wine and dine options. When in Auckland, you should definitely indulge in some wine tasting and tours of the vineyard. The idea of meeting new people during the wine tour while you sip on exquisite wine sure sounds like a good plan, right? Plus, the vast expanses of the vineyard would undoubtedly intrigue you.

Food and restaurants in Auckland

Auckland's cuisine is all about fresh kiwi and appetising seafood. Some of the signature dishes include hokey pokey, Pavlova, bluff oysters, green-lipped mussels and the all-time favourite, fish and chips. To get the best of these dishes though, here are some restaurants that you should check out during your trip to Auckland. One Tree Grill restaurant and Kazuya Restaurant appeal to a few travellers who are all about experimenting. Whereas the other famous kitchens include Ela Cuisine, Azabu, Best Ugly Bagels, The Sugar Club, Depot Eatery and Oster Bar.

How to reach Auckland

By Air

Auckland Airport is one of the busiest airports in New Zealand. The airport has domestic as well as international flights flying to and from Auckland. Dedicated international flights to Auckland are not present from India yet. You will have to take multitudes of connecting flights to reach the city in New Zealand. There are international routes connecting Auckland to India via cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Airlines such as Thai Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines are known to have frequent flights to Auckland from India. However, they are not directly connected so you will probably have to change flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, depending on which airlines or international route to Auckland you pick.

Singapore Airlines' flights to Auckland from Mumbai are recognised as the fastest route as it takes roughly 16 hours to reach. Meanwhile, cities such as Delhi and Chennai see slight differences in the flight duration. Flight connectivity to Auckland is quite decent from India and favourable to travellers as there are options of airlines to choose from. Flight tickets to Auckland vary depending on the city you choose to travel from.

By Water

Travelling across continents and covering oceans in the process is not a viable option to reach Auckland from India. The international route to Auckland from India via water would take approximately 30 to 35 days. Unless you're going on an expedition where you boycott flying and opt to use cheaper and time-consuming modes of transport, cruises work for you. Even then, the connectivity to Auckland from India is not available via sea. Flights to Auckland from India are your best bet. Plus, depending on the season you choose or how you make use of your miles, you might be able to acquire great flight deals to Auckland. Perhaps even cheap and affordable tickets to Auckland? Travelling by air is comparatively safer and quicker, so look no further.

  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.