I have been looking at flights to Singapore via Mumbai.
There is a 12 hour layover where I would like to leave the airport and explore the city.
On the return journey there is a 15 hour overnight layover, I would like to leave the airport and check in to a hotel.
Would I be able to do this? What type of visa would I need for entering the country twice? I'm confused by transit visa, travel visa and tourist visa etc.
I hold an Irish Passport
Gerd P
Favorite Answer
Based on new provisions for tourist visa there must be a gap of 2 months between two visits. http://www.indianembassy.de/consular/FAQ-TVisa311209.pdf ..
I recommend to apply for two separate transit visa [it's cheaper than applying for a tourist visa and a waiver from the 2 month gap], which cover both of your stays. The application needs to be addressed to the Embassy of India, 6 Leeson Park, Dublin 6
Tel: 01 496 6792 / 01 496 6787 / 01 497 0843. Fax: 01 497 8074
E-Mail: indcons@eircom.net
Web page: http://www.indianembassy.ie (does not work at present)
Anonymous
Note, even if you get the visa figured out, I caution you about the visit anyway. I travel to India often for business (from USA) and I have tried to "explore" mumbai several times. The traffic is gridlock and it could take 1-2 hours to reach the southern end of mumbai (ie. "gateway to india" and other historical areas). It is hard to find cabs beyond the airport, you can't just flag one down in the city, they have to be pre-arranged with a driver. You can flag an open air auto rickshaw, but if you're traveling an hour back to the airport, in traffic, you will arrive to your flight all sweaty and dirty and full of gas fumes in your nose.
Assuming you still want to try it, there isn't much to see. Mumbai is a crowded place full of run down infrastructure, pollution, slums, and garbage. There are very few public places of interest... unless you just want to witness the slums... which is educational and enlightening but not necessarily easy or fun.
The best way to "sight see" in India is to go to a smaller town such as Jaipur or Bhopal. There you will find it cleaner and less traffic, with interesting temples and palaces.
On your return journey through Mumbai, if you want to stay at a hotel, that is fine. There are several 4 and 5 star hotels near to the international airport, about 1/4 mile across the street. Some are almost walking distance, although you will pull your suitcase through some dirty streets to get there. I have stayed at the Hyatt and it's good. They have a pool and some restaurants. ITC Grand is also good, and has Indian decor. I'd suggest you exit the terminal and then get an auto-rickshaw to drive you across the street to one of these hotels. If you want to go further, the Renaissance on Lake Powai is 20 minutes away from the airport and has a very beautiful view of the sunset over the pool and lake. You will also "see" a little bit of Mumbai on the way... it's a good sample of what the city looks like.
Good luck; at one time I had the same thoughts as you. But after trying to "sight see" in Mumbai I have given up, and I usually just stay at the Renaissance hotel and enjoy the lake view.
?
There's a bunch of good tips for things to do on a Mumbai layover (including tips to figure out if you can leave the airport -- and a widget for Visa requirements) at Layover Guide - http://www.layoverguide.com/2010/01/layover-in-mumbai-bombay-india.html
?
I think you need to get either the transit visa or tourist visa, I would prefer tourist visa as that would give liberty for a longer duration not sure baout transit visa I would avoid that as the process of getting visa stamped etc. is very slow in India and there would be very long queues
Anonymous
Explore the city that never sleeps and is definitely abuzz with activity. This city is Mumbai! Learn it with hotelbye . Mumbai is in most ways a mega-city pushed by energy, wealth, style and popularity which attracts people to give shape with their dreams and aspirations. Mumbai can be a town with solid historic links, great British structure, museums, beaches, places of worship, and especially, a true universe of stars wherever Bollywood reigns supreme. You can not visit Mumbai and not have fun on their beaches and both most widely used beaches will be the Juhu Beach and the Chowpatty Beach.