Ahead of its December 25 inauguration, here’s how you can reach Navi Mumbai International Airport

Passengers travelling from South Mumbai and parts of Central Mumbai typically board Harbour Line services from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) towards Vashi, Nerul or Belapur CBD. At Belapur CBD, they must switch to the Belapur–Uran suburban line to reach Targhar station. Commuters from Thane and the central suburbs can use Trans-Harbour Line services to Nerul before making the same change towards Targhar.

Targhar station, which became operational recently, lies approximately 1.8 to 5 km from the airport terminals, depending on the route taken. From here, passengers must rely on auto-rickshaws, taxis or shuttle services to complete the last-mile journey.

In non-peak hours, the journey from CSMT to Targhar usually takes between 75 to 90 minutes, but during peak periods it can exceed two hours due to crowding and interchange delays. Travel from Navi Mumbai nodes is significantly shorter, typically under 30 to 35 minutes. Suburban rail fares remain low, with second-class tickets costing under Rs 40 and first-class fares ranging between Rs 95 and Rs 175.

Despite its affordability, rail travel poses practical challenges for airport users. Peak-hour crowding on the Harbour and Central lines makes boarding with luggage difficult, while interchanges at Kurla, Dadar, and Belapur CBD involve foot over bridges and waiting time. Dedicated airport express trains have not yet been introduced.

By bus: low cost, limited service

Public bus services will offer the cheapest surface connectivity to the Navi Mumbai International Airport, but they remain the least predictable option, particularly for time-sensitive travel.

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses operate between Mumbai, Thane, and various Navi Mumbai nodes, but none provide direct access to the airport terminal.

Most bus journeys require passengers to alight at locations such as Panvel, Belapur, Nerul, or Ulwe, and then take an autorickshaw or taxi for the final leg. Travel times vary widely depending on traffic conditions, route congestion, and the number of intermediate stops. Fares are typically modest, ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 200, but multiple transfers are often unavoidable.

Bus services are especially vulnerable to congestion along the Sion–Panvel Highway, near Panvel junctions and within Ulwe. Combined with limited luggage space and frequent stops, these factors make buses less suitable for passengers travelling on tight departure schedules. Interestingly, no city bus carrier, including BEST or NMMT, has announced a dedicated bus service to the airport so far.

By road: most convenient, traffic-dependent

Road travel is expected to be the most common mode of reaching NMIA in its initial phase, particularly for passengers with luggage. Key access corridors include the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) from Sewri, the Sion–Panvel Highway, the Vashi Bridge, Palm Beach Road, and the Eastern Freeway for travellers from South and Central Mumbai.

Atal Setu has reduced the time for harbour crossings to about 20 minutes, significantly improving access from South Mumbai. However, congestion on feeder roads within Navi Mumbai often determines the overall journey time. Under moderate traffic conditions, travel from South Mumbai to NMIA typically takes 60–80 minutes, while journeys from the western suburbs can stretch to 90–120 minutes. From Thane and central suburbs, road travel usually takes 60–90 minutes, while residents of Navi Mumbai nodes can reach the airport in as little as 20–30 minutes during non-peak hours.

Taxi fares generally range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 from South Mumbai and Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 from the western suburbs, with toll charges applying on Atal Setu.

What is not ready yet

Several key connectivity projects linked to NMIA will not be operational before its launch. Metro Line 8, also known as the Gold Line, which will connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and NMIA, has been approved but is still under construction, with operations expected around 2029.

The Ulwe Coastal Road, designed to provide direct access from Atal Setu to the airport, is under construction and expected to open in early 2026. Dedicated airport rail or metro express services have yet to be announced.