Mumbai to Seattle 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 Seattle

Seattle is one of the most-visited cities in the United States of America. It has the best coffee in the country paired up with a lot of history, rich culture, outdoor activity options, a thriving art scene and a lot more for tourists. The Emerald City is one of the major tourist attractions in Seattle. The Seattle Art Museum, Mount Rainier and Woodland Park Zoo are some other popular tourist spots in the city. Seattle has an eclectic dining scene and a vibrant nightlife. You can go on food tours or go partying till the wee hours. The city has quite a lot of craft breweries and food markets that attract a lot of tourists to the city. Seattle hosts a lot of festivals to keep the tourists entertained and has also given the world a lot of popular brands like Starbucks, Amazon, Costco, Microsoft, Expedia and so on. It also gave the world music legends like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Kenny G, Pearl Jam and so on. You will love attending music festivals in the city. It has also been an inspiration for a lot of filmmakers and films like Twilight, Sleepless in Seattle, An Officer and a Gentleman.

Best Time to Visit Seattle

Summer is a high tourist season for Seattle and a busy time for the city. Make sure you book your hotel in Seattle well in advance before the hotel rates see a surge. You must also book your flight tickets to Seattle in advance. June to August is the peak tourist season in Seattle. The summer is not too hot, and you will enjoy it. The temperature ranges from 11 to 23 degree Celsius. If you are a movie buff, you can attend the Seattle International Film Festival in May and June. You can also attend events like Seattle Pride, Seattle International BeerFest, Capitol Hill Block Party, Seafair Weekend and Seattle Art Fair during summer. Since it is high tourist season, you will get to attend a lot of parties, if that's what you are looking for in your vacation. The city also has quite a few hostels that many youngsters prefer. With an increase in the number of tourists, you will make a lot of new friends, if you love socialising.

March to May is the spring season in Seattle. Though hotel prices don't increase as such, you might be able to get a good deal. The temperature ranges from 4 to 18 degree Celsius. The weather is quite windy, and there are chances it might rain, too. Make sure you also pack a layer of warm clothes if you are heading to Seattle in spring. You can attend a lot of events during the spring season in Seattle like Moisture Festival, Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, Seattle Restaurant Week and Seattle International Film Festival. You might even get a good flight deal to Seattle online during spring.

September to October is one of the best times to visit Seattle if you don't like crowded tourist places. The number of tourists after summer is over and the city has fewer tourists. The weather is also quite pleasant. It's neither too hot nor too cold. This is the best time to visit if you are great at bargaining. You will find a lot of discounts on hotel rooms, but there are chances of rain towards the end of the fall season. The temperature ranges from 8 to 19 degree Celsius, and the weather does not affect any of your sightseeing plans or your plans to pursue any outdoor activities for the day. You can attend events like Bumbershoot, Earshot Jazz Festival and Seattle Restaurant Week. Signing up for a food tour would be the best during the fall season. You will also get great discounts and offers at restaurants.

November to February is the winter season in Seattle, and the temperature ranges from 2 to 10 degree Celsius. It is not the best time to go sightseeing in Seattle as it rains a lot during December and January. It also snows in Seattle sometimes which allows you to try activities like snowboarding and skiing. This is the best time to head to the Cascade Range or Mount Rainier. While sightseeing can become a problem during winter, you can attend events like the Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon, Seattle International Comedy Competition, Christmas Ship Festival and Seattle Festival of Improv Theater.

Places to Visit in Seattle

Seattle Center was built in 1962 for the World Fair and was later turned into a centre for the city's tourism, education and entertainment. You can visit the Museum of Pop Culture here or Space Needle. If you are a lot in science, you will love the Pacific Science Center. Pike Place Market is one of the oldest places in Seattle, and the farmers' market here is quite popular. The Museum of Flight has over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, and you can visit the museum with your kids. If you are an art lover, you can head to the Seattle Art Museum. Lake Union Park is another popular tourist spot that offers you the views of the Museum of History and Industry and the Center for Wooden Boats. If you are fascinated by aircraft, you can visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour. You can also visit the Washington Park Arboretum which is spread across 230 acres of land of exceptional flora. It is managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle. You must visit the Japanese Garden in the arboretum.

For all you book lovers out there, the Seattle Central Public Library is the place for you. There are about a million books to choose from, and you will also find yourself admiring the unique architecture. Discovery Park is one of the largest city parks in Seattle and also has a sanctuary for animals. Mount Rainier is yet another popular tourist spot you can head to if you are visiting the city in winter.

Things to do in Seattle

Seattle is one city that does not know boredom at all. You can sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city or head out on your own to explore it. You will constantly discover something new about it or be amazed at all the things that the city has to offer. If you are a movie buff, you can also take pictures at locations of iconic scenes of your favourite movies. Sign up for a tour of Mount Rainier if you want to add some adventure to your holiday. You can also go for a food tour and eat at some of the best restaurants in the city. You can't come to Seattle and not go partying. The city has several nightclubs, and the people here know just how to party. You can visit the art museums, parks, zoos, aquarium and a lot of other attractions that will leave you amazed. You might even find like-minded people that you will bond with on your trip to Seattle.

Food and Restaurants in Seattle

Seattle is one of the best destinations in the country for diverse and delicious cuisines. You can try the seafood here like salmon, shellfish and clams or opt for Asian cuisines. Seattle has a lot of cafes to its credit, and a lot of them have a wide variety of vegetarian food. Cafe Flora and Bakery Nouveau are two of the best places for a cup of refreshing beverage with delicious snacks. The Italian cuisine and selection of wine at Altura, in Capitol Hill, is also quite impressive. Stoup Brewing, Reuben's Brews, Populuxe Brewing Company and Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. are some of the most popular breweries in the city. Ellenos at Pike Place and Pike Street is popular for a variety of Greek and healthy food. You can also head to Le Panier for authentic French cuisine. The Pink Door is a very elegant-looking restaurant that serves delicious Italian food. You will also find Tuscan and Sicilian cuisines in the menu here. Fremont Brewing is a very popular brewery and pub in Seattle that attracts a lot of tourists.

How to reach Seattle (Transportation)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 23 km away from Downtown Seattle. The flight connectivity to Seattle from India is excellent. Singapore Airlines, Vistara, Japan Airlines, British Airways, and American Airlines have frequent flights to Seattle from India with layovers at Singapore, Delhi, Tokyo, London and Chicago. Brace yourself for a long journey since it takes a 20-hour flight to reach Seattle. You might want to spend your first day in the city just relaxing and not indulging in a lot of activities, so you can be fresh and energetic to explore the city the next day. If you book at the right time, you might get exciting deals on flights to Seattle online. You might even get a good deal on hotels if you are visiting during the offseason. Getting a taxi or car rental from the airport is not difficult at all. You will also get help from the airport staff for the same.

  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.