City guide article

Driving Tips

Tourists are warned that Mumbai is a congested city and driving here can be quite a daunting experience where you’ll have to negotiate trucks, cyclists, errant motorbike riders as well as the occasional animal and potholes. Also, finding your way around is not so easy. Parking is another huge problem faced by Mumbai motorists. However, for those who are brave enough to do so, there are certain things to be kept in mind. Driving in India is on the left. Foreign drivers must be above 18 years of age and possess an International driving permit. Never keep valuables lying in the car even if you lock it as petty thieves abound and can easily tamper with the lock of the car and steal your belongings. Those taking their own car to India must obtain a Carnet de Passage from an international motoring association before entering India. Motorists should seek insurance cover from an Indian insurer. Visit www.wiaaindia.com for more information. Emergency breakdown service-Western India Automobile Association (Tel: (022) 2204 1085) provides a limited breakdown service within Mumbai for members.

City guideTransportation

Overview

For longer journeys, it is advisable to hire a car with driver. Taxis abound in Mumbai and should be your preferred mode of transport.

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Transportation

From the airport

Transportation

Car for hire

Most car companies rent out a variety of vehicles, including luxury and specialty vehicles. Rental charges are computed on the basis of length of the rental or, in some cases, on the length of the rental plus a mileage charge. Rates vary depending on the type of vehicle rented, the local marketplace and competitive and cost factors. Avis The Oberoi, Nariman Point Mumbai -400 021 Tel: +91-22 2326418 Hertz Andheri Kurla Road, Noori Baug, Near Hotel Kumaria Presidency Andheri East, Mumbai 500 059 Tel: +91-22-5570 2126 Email: [email protected] Website: www.hertz.com

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Transportation

Buses

Mumbai has the largest organized bus transport system among major Indian cities. It is run by a government organization Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport. It has a fleet of red single and double-decker buses. There are air conditioned and low floor buses as well. BEST buses work at two levels. At the first level they act as feeders to the suburban rail stations. Many bus depots are adjacent to stations. At the second level, BEST buses connect the smaller of the suburbs to the city. Services begin at 5 am and operate till midnight. Selected routes run beyond these timings. All buses have their destination written in English at the front of the bus as well as to the left side next to the door where you get in. Buses are cheap and go everywhere. They have seats reserved for senior citizens, ladies and handicapped.

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Transportation

Metro

Local trains are the most effective way of traveling within the city. The extensive suburban rail network runs on three linear routes —Western Line, Central Line, and Harbor Line (along the eastern coast). The Western Line runs from Churchgate to Virar, covering stations along the city’s Western Suburbs. Likewise the Central Line operates from CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) to Kalyan. Some trains go beyond city limits to places further on like Karjat. Dadar is the common station where people change from Central to Western and vice-versa.

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