Mumbai to Nice 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 Nice

Located on the coast of Baie des Anges and the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera is the alluring city of Nice. The jewel of French Riviera, Nice boasts not just a sparkling shoreline but also historical monuments and artistic architecture.

Best time to visit Nice

For Nice, it is important that you visit the lovely coastal city in a season where the temperatures are balanced, and the hotel rooms are cheap. You need to make sure to capitalise on the hotel room rate that usually happens between March and April. The Mediterranean vibe of the city is prevalent all-round the year. Still, it is from mid-March to April and September to October when the accommodations are also pocket-friendly. The months from May to August see a multitude of crowds who wish to soak in the Mediterranean bliss and hot temperatures. It is also the time when the hotel prices surge to an exorbitant level. You will need to fill your pockets with some heavy euros to make it through summer in Nice. Perks of the season are some of the beautiful festivals that take place including, Nice International Film Festival, Nice Jazz Festival, Crossover Festival and Festival du Livre. It is recommended that you make prior bookings of hotels and flights to Nice if you're rooting for summer. If you're opting for September and October, you don't have to worry much about the excess crowd as well as accommodation prices.

Tourists can visit some of the famous attractions but expect a little crowd. However, it won't be as crowded as how the summers are in Nice. In fact, you will be able to soak in the Mediterranean sun as well as enjoy sightseeing. There are no major festivals that take place during this time of the year, so you'll probably not be able to indulge in the exciting ambience of it. But for solitude and happy vibes, the place remains open. Mid-March to April are also good months to hang out in Nice. The French Riviera bustles with fewer crowds but beautiful weather. The spring season is actually quite pleasant in Nice as the temperature ranges from 14 degree Celsius to 16 degree Celsius. The weather remains calm, but the warm sun adds to the experience. Plus, there is an interesting event that the city hosts, International Dog Show. If you are someone who loves canines, you should definitely check this event out. Plus, during spring, the hotel bookings in Nice continue to remain low-priced, giving way to a comfortable stay, maybe even facing the sea.

Places to visit in Nice

Place Masséna is the first place you can start. It is the city's main square and has a bunch of interesting things to do around the vicinity. The next could be a visit to the Promenade des Anglais (English Walk). The pebbly shore with a beachfront is a sight for the sore eyes. Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau) with its scenic location is highly recommended. You shouldn't miss Nice Beaches because they are eccentric and too gorgeous. If you are an art patron, then you should pay a visit to the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, popularly known as Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art. To make things a little religious, you can also check out St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Garden of the Cimiez Monastery is another lovely locale that would marvel you. It is basically an orchard and vegetable garden that was used by monks in the old times. To make your experience more luxe, you can visit Palais Lascaris, which once belonged to the first noble families of the city.

Things to do in Nice

French Riviera is known for its vineyards. A trip to the vineyard and learning more about how wine is made would be quite the experience. You will not regret this, especially since the wine produced in Nice is recognised worldwide for creating the best wines. You can also take up a stroll down the Old Town to savour all the lovely architecture and quaint streets. There are some cafes and restaurants nestled in the nook and corner of Vieille Ville that will marvel you. A hike up to the Parc du Mont Boron is also something that you can undertake. The 7 miles long hiking trails is blessed with some scenic beauty that eventually overlooks Nice. The panoramic views would certainly leave an impact on you. The best way to go through the city would be by renting a cycle. There are some cycle tours that takes place in Nice, which you can probably join.

Food and Restaurants in Nice

The cuisine of Nice slightly tweaks the traditional French cuisine and adds a bit of Mediterranean flavour to it. Hence, while you will find fresh cheese, vegetables and meat, they'll come with a refreshing twist of flavours inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle. The Niçoise cuisine has seafood as their staple food. It is not surprising considering how the city is located on the coast, making fish and seafood easy to acquire. Expect tuna and anchovies tossed with fresh baby tomatoes, green leafy vegetables and green beans with a light olive oil dressing to complete the traditional Niçois salad. This is a famous local dish that you will get to taste and you must. There are Italian-inspired pissaladieres too which include anchovies and caramelised onions as the topping to small-sized pizzas. To make the most of the Niçoise cuisine, you should visit Vieux-Nice (Old Town) as well as Port District. These two places have a slew of restaurants and food establishments that glorify the Niçoise cuisine. One of the popular places to visit would be the Restaurant Le Frog. The place specialises in French and classic Mediterranean meals.

You should know that the French cuisine has a snail appetiser, prominently known as escargot. While you do have the option to try it out here at Nice, it can be clubbed with a lovely entree and drinks. For a less-expensive but wholesome food experience in Nice, you can visit some of the food establishments close to Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate in Vieux-Nice. Les Gaiçons is a famous establishment known for its gourmet French food. Many more restaurants are also available close to the Promenade des Anglais (Walk of the English). Places such as La Route Du Miam, Les Amourex, Cumin et Cannelle, Eden Garden, Polly and Cie, to name a few. These places will certainly upscale your French rendezvous with lip-smacking food. Expecting international or rather global cuisine in Nice is being very hopeful. The city celebrates French and Niçois cuisine and doesn't entertain any other global kitchen. In fact, at the most, you can find African and contemporary cuisine, but that is the extent.

How to reach Nice

Flight connectivity to Nice from India is immaculate. There are a plethora of flight options that take off from India to Nice. Although there are no direct flights to Nice from India, the flight connectivity to Nice is so good that travellers can reach without having to compromise on the duration and layovers. The international route to Nice, which goes from major European and Middle Eastern countries have connecting flights at a convenient time-frame. Airlines such as Aeroflot, Alitalia, Emirates, KLM Royal Dutch, Air France, Emirates, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Swiss, Lufthansa, to name a few, have regular flights to Nice. Both Mumbai and Delhi have excellent flight connectivity to Nice with a plethora of airlines servicing from the cities. The best thing about Nice is how the flight duration from the two major cities is also quite agreeable. Originally, it takes close to 10 hours to reach Nice from India. However, with the provision of some of the airlines and flights from Mumbai and Delhi, the duration to reach Nice is met with. There are layovers in international cities such as Dubai, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Moscow, Rome, London, to name a few.

Flight tickets to Nice from Mumbai and Delhi are quite cheap and affordable. You will actually be able to round off your trip in as less as INR 50,000. As long as you make prior flight bookings to Nice, you will be eligible for cheap travel. It doesn't limit flights with long durations and layovers. You can reach Nice within 12 hours tops from Mumbai and Delhi on a cheap flight ticket. Travelling to Nice from India is very convenient. You might even be able to snag some flight deals to Nice online. Make sure that you book your accommodations in Nice well in advance. Flights to Nice might be cheap, but the accommodation is equally steep. A little snooping on the internet could get you some lovely deals for flights and accommodation too. If you are collecting miles for travel, this could be the right time to earn more or splurge the ones you have been saving. Nice is worth all the miles earned as one of the poshest cities not just in France but worldwide too. While you're travelling to the city, some airlines or layovers might require a transit Schengen visa. You can get the same at the embassy or online.

  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.