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I really don't understand why everyone is criticizing Mumbai airport. The airport is being rebuilt and many things are not perfect as a result. Yes, there are long line ups to get into the airport - this is Indian policy for security. Yes, luggage is checked many times - again, this is Indian policy for security. Yes, the airport is congested - that's why they are building a better and bigger terminal. I have recently been through Mumbai and I actually understood these issues. People should be more patient and understanding!

Airport itself is not bad. It is neither dirty nor clean. What makes me cringe at this airport is the apathy and indifference everyone shows to everyone. I wish I did not have to fly again through this airport.

Not bad. Quite a 'to the point' airport. The airport has improved a lot since what it was in the 80s + 90s and earlier. Duty free prices in USD. Immigration queues are usually quick moving.

Can only repeat comments of previous contributors. Flew out of BOM to BKK 2 weeks ago; check in acceptable, security not with changing rules as we queued - ladies separate - or not. Transferring from BKK to LHR on return a nightmare - long queues for pointless hand baggage security and frisk - no order whatever - queues redirected then abandoned. Further checks at the gate - was hand luggage stamped? Three separate security checks at the gate. Boarding by row number started then abandoned -completely pointless, rude and tedious security queuing which missed -we realised later - items in hand luggage they should have picked up. On top of that facilities very limited and the place smells of damp. To be avoided if possible.

I regularly travel via BOM. The domestic terminal is pleasant, easy to use and convenient. Usually no queues, except during rush hour. The international terminal has improved quite a lot on the inside with lots of shopping and eating facilities. However access has not. There was an insanely long queue just to get inside the terminal. I guess what people don't know is that you can use any of the doors. Most people queued at the entrance next to their airline, apparently for hours, just to get by security who checks every passport and boarding pass at snail's pace. I usually ask to be dropped at the very first door, where there is hardly anyone. Once inside, it was OK. Wait time at security maybe 15 mins, which was not too bad for the busiest time of the day.

Transit from Bangkok to Heathrow. The security line didn't move for an hour and when I eventually reached the staff my bag wasn't scanned - just placed to the side for detailed examination. I explained (as did a lady next to me) that I had already been checked twice already but was simply told "take out electronics", "open that". No courtesy or even hint of manners. Being asked to open a see-through bag and then stand there as a guy went through my CD wallet and looked at every CD was just overkill, especially when they were boarding the plane. I would not recommend this dreadful place to anybody and, as some people have already said, the experience has dimmed any desire to ever visit India properly. I would actually rather pay £100 more for a flight than transfer through Mumbai again. Avoid.

Transited through BOM while flying BLR-DXB. Onward to DXB was quite ok since it was an afternoon flight. Efficient transfer from domestic to international terminal in an AC coach. Immigration and security each took less than 10 minutes and lots of empty chairs at the gates. Some limited (but nice) food options at the gate. Returning from DXB was a totally different experience. We landed at 0220 and the onward domestic flight to BLR was at 0635. Immigration was quick (less than 5 minutes). Baggage took almost 25 minutes to arrive. We had to get our baggage screened for Customs and this required us to heave our bags onto the luggage screening belt. There was one more screening of baggage before we dropped them off and a security check before boarding the inter-terminal transfer coach. Security staff were rude and unconcerned. Once at the domestic terminal, there was one more security check. Since there were many domestic flights scheduled to depart in the morning, the departure area was very crowded and seats were insufficient. Announcements were loud and annoying. Would try to avoid BOM as much as possible in future.

Appalling International Airport, there are so many things wrong here I am not sure where to start. Getting from Arrivals to Departure means you have to go via a lift if you have much baggage, the queue for this was about 200 meters long. You then get up and it pushes you back outside, you then need to fight through the people to go into a 400 meter queue. Get inside and there is next to no seating, no creature comforts. Simply rubbish.

I really don't understand why people have such a bad reviews of this airport. I have used this airport in the afternoon for 2 pm flight and at night for 3am flight. Both times I did not face any problems. The immigration officer was rather friendly and wished me a happy journey to Dubai. Security took only 30 minutes contrary to other reviewers. I was at departure gate 45 minutes after entering from main gate. The food was not pricey as any coffee from good brand cost the same outside in the city.

As mentioned by other reviewers it takes hours of pushing and shoving to actually get into the airport avoiding all the people sleeping outside. What is wrong with the place, surely you can be allowed to enter at least. Then interminable queues for everything and aggressive staff waiting to catch you out felt that if you tipped correctly you might get through quicker.

As mentioned by some of the reviewers here, this is definitely the worst international airport that I have entered. Firstly the traffic chaos in the night when most international flights take off is just unbearable. Then you queue outside the airport for up to an hour as it inches forward before you encounter a policeman who checks your travel documents and passport. You finally enter the airport and queue for your check in. As we were flying business class check in was smooth. After that you are ushered to the immigration check in. It is chaotic. Officials are rude, offensive and do not communicate in English. After you have eventually reached the immigration counter, you are greeted by an individual who communicates with you via hand signals only. Following that you join yet another queue for security check in. Honestly it took me 3 hours from check in at the counter and depositing the hold luggage to security check. We had to run to the gate as the flight was ready to take off in 5 minutes. Our experience was very similar to other international passengers from a vast array of countries. We are certain that some would not have made it to the gate in time. Avoid this airport by all costs if you can.

This airport is chaos. On arrival waited ages in immigration only to be met with stroppy staff. Took an hour to pass through immigration and collect bags. On departure the departure area is mental. You will not be allowed to enter the terminal if you arrive 3 hours before your flight. The police turn people away unless you slip them some cash. Beware the so called 'porters' who offer to get you to the front of the queues for a price. They are quite aggressive and one wanted 700 Rupees from me - no chance. Some retail outlets at the departure area, mainly food and beverage (no alcohol) but they are very expensive. Once you finally get into departures to check in expect more queues and then when you go to immigration more chaos and queuing awaits. Immigration officers are the most sour faced ones I have encountered. Then the next hurdle - security and again the queues build up. Took nearly 3 hours from gaining entry to check-in, going through check in through immigration and security before I reached my gate. Leave yourself plenty of time! There are a few shops at the departure gates including some simple coffee / sandwich outlets alongside the usual duty free / gift shops. Overall I couldn't get out the place quick enough.

This was my first trip through Mumbai International (have used domestic several times with no problems) and it was painful, chaotic, and disorganized. I could not get my e-ticket to print and you will not be let in without a ticket or itinerary, which I knew, but hoped my business class status or email confirmation would be of some assistance. No such luck. I managed to beg my way into the passengers lounge to wait until 3 hours before my departure, at which point security had an airline employee physically take my passport from me for 10 minutes to confirm my status. Upon entering, I noticed the terminal was littered with kiosks for printing out tickets and online check-in - I don't know who uses them. Business class immigration did indeed take longer than economy. There was no separation of ticket class for baggage screening and only after standing in a completely unlabeled line for 10 minutes did an employee come by to point out that women were screened at the far side of the area, in a spot completely unviewable from the main line entry. There were 7 scanners for men to the 1 available to women. The total process took 2 hours and was one of the most disorganized events I've seen. Large numbers of passengers were escorted to the front of lines for flights leaving in ten minutes. When I finally made it through all the various lines, I had a pleasant, brief visit to the Emirates lounge where I had a nice shower and a decent snack. I'm ranking this airport one star believing there may be a worse airport somewhere.

Awful, disorganised and very rude staff. After being cleared at Heathrow we landed at Mumbai and had to transfer to the Bangkok flight - what a carry on! The hold baggage was transferred but all hand luggage had to go through searches and scanners again - we weren't even entering the country. We queued as expected and lots of Indian citizens were ushered through - some saying they only had 45 mins before their flight - we had 10 minutes to get through and get on the plane. Coming back we had the same problem - I think Jobsworth is a good description. I was considering visiting India but this has put me off. Herded onto buses - attitude of staff is terrible.

Possibly the worst international airport in the world. The plane parked at one end of the terminal so we had to walk right to the other end to the immigration desk. A long painful walk, made worse by no air- conditioning. Immigration fully manned so the wait was about 5 minutes. I then had to wait for my J class luggage. It took 45 minutes, long after everyone else's luggage. The belt is tiny for a 747 luggage volume and there are too many obstructions close by - trolleys, plants, walls, pillars, signs. Then another long queue for security screening of suitcases and hand luggage. And finally another long walk to the greeting area. Apparently they have been building the new international airport for 5 years! Long overdue. Departures was shambolic. Arrived 2 hours before the flight and the queue was a good 300 metres - Thai flyers were only allowed to go through one gate (again, for a 747 volume, this is mindless bureaucratic stupidity). The touts were harassing everyone and anyone for tips. Get in and the actual check-in queues for business and economy were quite good and fairly quick. Then over to immigration. Business class had only 2 desks and it took 30 minutes to get to the front. This was painful in the stifling heat. The economy class line was moving faster than business. Through to security check which was slow but efficient and then down to the lounge. Filthy. One toilet. There was no soap in the business class lounge toilet. Horrendous experience.

This is the third time I have been to India and in the past I found the international customs and immigration staff to be utterly rude and obnoxious but this time they have out-done themselves by displaying impossibly rude behavior. They have no courtesy and don't respect families travelling together. Children are expected to go through procedures without parents and moreover, parents are expected to go through boarding gates while children are still waiting in queues. My last visit and departure on Christmas Day was the worse I have experienced. I doubt I will return to India soon. I sincerely hope the airport staff can be trained in manners and courtesy. Much can be accomplished with a smile and simple etiquette.

Used airport for flights to Hyderabad, Delhi and Goa. Check in facilities are limited because of the size. Long lines for some airlines. Security tends to have long queues especially for the Jet and Indigo gates. Gates for Air India used by other airlines in terminal 1A is better. Selection of shops and places to eat is better. Taxi queues tend to take time. Still crowded and needs to be bigger.

A tale of two halves. Arrival was complete and utter chaos. Long lines at immigration and baggage took ages to arrive not helped by the constant breaking down of the belt. Novice travellers must find this process so upsetting. Departure on the other hand was a breeze. Immigration was fully manned, staff pleasant, security the same. If only they could improve the arrivals then it would be a bearable airport.

I used it twice: first as a transit passenger on the domestic terminal. It's too small and overcrowded, and do not expect to have the information on TV screens about gate confirmation and status of your flight as everywhere else in the world. Then the following early morning International departure. This is a mess, especially the luggage/boarding card inspection which is painfully inadequate (only 1 machine working at a time when a lot of western-bound flights are leaving) terribly inefficient. My computer bag with exactly the same content had been going through fluently at Ahemadabad and Pune, here I had to empty everything, including the electrical chords and it went 3 times into the single machine, no wonder we waited 1.5 hours. They seem to have a problem with the metal detector too, everybody going through it at least twice. Avoid if you can.

I'm a regular flyer through Mumbai airport. I do this trip 4 times a year. The Indian system is a pain, but it's very clever and simple. No stamp on your hand baggage and you cannot board the aircraft until it's been screened. Also, only allowing people with their names on the manifest to enter the building, whilst not completely foolproof adds to the layer of security. I have never found the staff rude or unhelpful. Anyway, I wish our people at Heathrow were a little sharper.

Badly organized airport which for me also receives the prize of dirtiest airport. Access to airport is bad, security up on entering airport terminal badly organized. Check in can be fast depending on airline and if you can check in using priority status. Passport control upon arrival and departure is slow. Security checking area much too small and slow. Lounge I used was overcrowded, dirty and food served very poor quality. Duty free available. Lets hope for much improvement.

BKK-BOM-LHR on 11th September with Jet Airways, security-inspection of baggage continues to be slow and unfriendly here, far worse than Delhi! It is unacceptable that your wallets/passports/money can be out-of- your-sight for up to 10 minutes, while you wait to be allowed to go through the people-scanner, which doesn't seem to be working since they then frisk you thoroughly again! Saying good-evening, or smiling at the security-people, is a complete waste of time, they simply don't want to be there, and will blank you. Time for some people-skills training. Once you reach the departure-lounge it's hot and dirty, if this is the transit-experience at an international-airport, then it doesn't recommend the country itself, as a place I'd ever want to visit.

Mumbai airport has improved considerably. Immigration was quick and customs was a breeze. The baggage arrived quickly. The domestic terminal was remarkably clean, and facilities were fine, however the domestic terminals are far superior. However, the authorities need to lift standards to global level.

Very bad experience! Landed at the airport at 11pm and did not get through security until 2.30 am. Different lines for men and woman so my husband was done an 1 hr before I was. Cutting in line by many people lead to more delays. People working there had no idea what they were doing. Clean it up, organize the lines and train staff correctly! I would not recommend this airport.

Couple of flights taken out of Mumbai in the last few months. Spicejet early morning flight to Kochi was out of terminal 1B. Terrible queues at Spicejet counters. Security check even longer. Got there very early but only got to departure gate with 5 minutes to go for boarding. Other flight on Jet to Ahmedabad also from terminal B. Also early morning. Jet check in fast and efficient. Flight was parked at terminal 1A so much better security and much nicer terminal. All flights on time.

What a shambles, I view myself as a seasoned traveller and my connection through Mumbai domestic- international has to be the worse experience ever. My domestic flight was late arriving (45 mins) and although I was told to identify myself to the ground staff which I did but to what avail I'm unsure. I had to transfer by bus from the domestic terminal to the international one which comprises of: 1) wait in a line for a transfer bus and have my bags screened (apparently I’d been fast-tracked and hadn't had to wait on a ticket to join this line). 2) Sat on the bus for 15 mins while it loaded, the bus finally left the domestic terminal at midnight, next flight left at 1am. 3) The bus then acts as a tour bus for the airport it seems, having to wait for planes to pull out of gates etc. 4) Once the bus arrived at the international terminal we had to wait, I had to go back through security and go to the check-in desk again. At this point it was 12.20, the check-in guy told me that I was too late for the flight but a bit of persuasion and pointing out that it was due to the issues at the airport/late flight meant that they fast tracked me through the system, process was also quite smooth from that point but i realize that was due to the fact that I had no luggage to check and flying business class. 5) Once through security (jumped the queue due to kindness of other passengers) raced through the terminal to departure gate. 6)It was then another bus to board the airplane (past where I just gone 30 mins before). Would recommend using other Asian airports for connections in that area.

If you are lucky enough to be travelling in Business/First, there is a separate immigration desk so you do not join the longer lines. Airside: some shops still insist on prices in US dollars which are triple the prices for the same product in rupees in adjacent shops. Alcohol remains very expensive (£4 for a small Kingfisher beer). Smokers: there are now two designated smoking rooms within the terminal so do not go to the 'Celebrations' bar where they mislead you into believing it is the only place you can smoke after insisting you buy a very over-priced beer (£7).

I'm a regular flyer through Mumbai airport, though I normally arrive here and fly out of Bangalore back to the UK. I do this trip 10 times a year. The Indian system is a pain, but it's very clever and simple. No stamp on your hand baggage and you cannot board the aircraft until it's been screened. Also, only allowing people with their names on the manifest to enter the building, whilst not completely foolproof adds to the layer of security. I have never found the staff rude or unhelpful, anywhere in India. They are respectful, probably because I am respectful to them. I live in Cyprus and it depends who's on duty as to how thoroughly they check. I forgot to put a nail-file in my checked baggage and it passed through Cyprus security unnoticed. Russia has strict security as well, with virtually everything removed at some airports. Anyway, I wish our people at Heathrow were a little sharper.

My flight for BKK was at 2.30 am. Immigration was less than 15 min, security check took around 15 min. Airport is not beautiful but efficient and I did not have any problem while departing and after arrival. Duty free is limited and mediocre.

I went through Mumbai airport on a recent visit to India, travelling with Jet Airways. I was aware of Mumbai's fearful reputation and was apprehensive about have to transit through it. However, I was pleasantly surprised. No queue at immigration, bags turned up fairly quickly and customs wasn't a problem, though bags are screened incredibly often. Our transfer to the domestic terminal was quite smooth as well, though the bus does go on a tour of the airport facility. The domestic terminal was remarkably clean, and facilities were fine, given that it was early hours of the morning. We had to change some sterling to INRs but that too went okay and we had no trouble with the exchange desk. Our only problem came at security in the domestic terminal where my husband's bag was retained. He was carrying our personal camera equipment and his diabetic medication. Our cameras were removed and the bag re-scanned. The security officer came over with the bag, asked if he used insulin and immediately stamped the bag as cleared. We had to wait around 2 hours for our connection to Bangalore but again, this wasn't a major issue. However, despite this, it would be my last choice of airport to go through - its not entirely up to international standards yet but hopefully it will get there.

Coming from BRU to BKK (and later from BKK to BRU) the transfer was a mess! Not organised, men and women separated (almost lost my wife and 2 daughters) at security. Security staff (very rude!) checked my hand luggage twice and left it for 15 minutes unattended. Do not lose your stamped hand luggage label, because if so: you must do the whole security procedure again. And that will cost you another 30 minutes at minimum! While going in the plane 4 people in a row (one military) will check your boarding pass. Sorry: thanks to Mumbai Airport, we did not get a warm welcome in India!

Have had my share of horrible experiences at this airport, but looks like I was lucky this time. Arrived a bit earlier for the night flight and the Delta Sky Priority check-in was instant. Just 5 minutes waiting at customs and no more than 10 minutes to get through security. An unexpected touch of heaven! Shopping area is greatly improved and the Clipper lounge was actually not too bad at all. Obviously, this airport is not yet up to global standards, but I have had worse times here. Hope my luck continues.

The airport overall is good, it can do better but is not as bad as the reviews given by others. The airport is very clean and the bathrooms were pleasant. Proper management was evident and the service was great.

Absolute mess. Rude staff, baggage handlers asking for money, unscientific and repeated checks on baggage, overpriced food. Transfer from international to domestic terminus - had to wait for one hour for the bus, no responsible person to inform about when the next bus is expected. Been through this airport twice in the last two years and things are no different.

International and domestic - absolute chaos! Cleanliness and safety: 5 (Bathrooms still not to international standards). Passenger flow logistics: 1 Transfer between international and domestic terminals: 0 - it is a joke! Somehow mysteriously everyone reaches where one has to go - only Indian red-tape can make this simple event complex. Flight departure announcements: 1 (Can do without using unnecessary words repeatedly e.g. "wishing happy journey" etc.). Food choice: 2. Food pricing: 2 - overpriced sandwiches and soda. And this is the gateway to India!

Flew from Johannesburg to Hong Kong via Mumbai a few days ago. What a complete and utter disaster! The endless queue to get through security between international flights was enough to make a grown man cry. The chaos and disorganisation was only surpassed by the security staff's inefficiency and general lack of effort. The airport (and indeed Jet Airways) need to seriously consider providing a fast track queue for business class passengers. If your product cannot attract and retain premium passengers your product will fail. With the vast array of choice available for business class flights to Asia there is no reason to endure Mumbai.

Flew Johannesburg to Bangkok via Mumbai and spent 60 mins in a queue. Amazingly disorganized. At the airport I had 8hr wait overnight, no ATM, no currency exchange. There're both a level up and I was told by airport staff that I "can't go there". Free wi-fi doesn't work. Flew Jet Airways that are ok but I swear it was my last trip with them via Mumbai. I hope they do something about it soon. It's a disgrace.

As plenty have said below complete shambles. Was travelling from Heathrow to Bangkok, via Mumbai, but still had to queue for 90 minutes to have all my hand luggage scanned. The queues are split into male and female with no organisation. The checks take for ever and you lose sight of your hand luggage for about 5 minutes. Staff are plain rude. I would do anything to avoid using the airport again.

BKK-LHR via BOM. It took a very long time to get from the plane to the terminal, antiquated security system that involved being separated from my bags for at least 10 minutes. When I finally caught up with them they were in a heap with everyone else's. I knew I had a long wait and was pleased there was some fairly comfortable seating, but the mosquitoes were unbelievable, absolutely everywhere and hundreds of them. A really unpleasant experience and I'll avoid this route in the future!

My wife and I had the great misfortune to fly from Delhi to Mumbai, arriving in the Domestic Terminal, transferring to the International Terminal. Fortunately, we had 4 hours between flights, and had our luggage checked through to London - we just made it to the connecting flight. In the Domestic Terminal, you wait in long lines for busses, then it ambles around the airport. I have seen many airports around the world, and this was hands down the worst!

Experience at this airport depends very much on when your flight gets there. At peak times its a nightmare compared to other international airports. Attitude of security staff is improving but still far from an acceptable standard. Prices in the terminal are very high. They used to have a public phone to make a free local call, but that has now been withdrawn. The wi-fi didn't work. At busy times the narrow exit from the airport gets blocked by a very long queue to what appears to be the sole counter for pre-paid taxis. I could just about cope with this airport but it doesn't do justice to the international city it serves - that said, eagerly looking forward to the 'new' terminal being built.

Getting better. The international terminal has undergone extensive reservation. When arriving at 22.30 (before most other international flights arrive) there were no queues and immigration took less than 5 mins. Baggage took another 20 mins to arrive. They have removed all touts and sellers from the outside area, which is now much more convenient and empty. Hotel car awaited me just outside the terminal with only a short walk to the garage. Similar experience on departure. No big crowds and efficient check-in, passport and security check. BOM now has some shopping facilities and restaurant worthy of an international airport. With all these changes it is now a much more pleasant airport to travel through.

Horrible experience on way to BKK from LHR and again on return journey. I flew with Jet Airways. Transfer passengers have to go through security checks again however the whole operation seems to be being run by a group of cub scouts. Different queues for gender and airline however they seem to constantly be closing and opening certain metal detectors and no one working who seems to know what is going on. You can think you are next to go through and then a whole group either push in front of you or are pushed in front of you by staff. Passengers have to leave hand luggage unattended for long periods of time after reaching the baggage inspector while they join a second queue for the metal detectors and a stern frisk. Jet staff not helpful in explaining what was going on. Duty free staff sit in huddles lazily gossiping while your transaction takes even longer. Once at the gate up to 4 different people stop you in the same corridor to inspect boarding pass. Suppose it keeps people in jobs. Not a single set of manners between anyone we encountered.

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