Mumbai Airport T1 to T2 Transfer Guide 2026: Free Shuttle, Times and Minimum Connection
By Aarav Sharma (Aarav Sharma covers Indian airline operations, airport infrastructure and route economics. He writes about Tier-1 and Tier-2 airport developments, IndiGo and Air India fleet strategy, and the unsung Indian aviation hubs travellers should know about.) · Published · Last updated · 10 min read
Mumbai's T1 (domestic) and T2 (international + some domestic) are separate buildings on opposite sides of the runway. Here's exactly how the free inter-terminal coach works in 2026, why the road route is slow, and how much connection time to leave.
Quick answer
Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) runs a free inter-terminal coach between T1 (domestic) and T2 (international and some domestic). The coach runs roughly every 15–20 minutes, but the road journey is slow — about 25–30 minutes — because of the city's one-way road system around the airport. To board you need a valid same-day ticket / boarding pass for your onward flight. For a self-transfer across terminals (collect bags, re-check, clear security again), leave plenty of time — for international connections on separate tickets, ideally 2.5–4 hours. Reconfirm details on the airport's site: csmia-mumbai.adaniairports.com. See our full Mumbai terminal guide.
Why Mumbai's two terminals are tricky
CSMIA (BOM) has two passenger terminals — T1 at Santacruz (domestic, mainly low-cost) and T2 at Sahar (international, plus a good chunk of domestic, including most full-service flights). They sit on opposite sides of the single main runway and are not connected airside, so moving between them means a road transfer. The crucial point: some domestic flights operate from T1 and others from T2, so you can't assume 'domestic = T1'. Always check which terminal each of your flights uses — a connection that looks simple can require crossing the airport by coach through Mumbai traffic.
The free inter-terminal coach, step by step
The complimentary coach is the official way to move between terminals:
- After collecting any checked bags (on a self-transfer) and exiting, follow the 'Inter-Terminal Transfer' signs to the coach pickup point.
- Show your valid same-day ticket or boarding pass for the onward flight to board.
- Ride the free coach — it runs roughly every 15–20 minutes.
- Arrive at the other terminal and proceed to check-in and security.
The coach ride itself is the slow part: budget about 25–30 minutes because the one-way road system forces a longer loop, and add waiting time. At peak hours, traffic can stretch it further. Don't rely on the optimistic 'few minutes' figures some sources quote — plan for the realistic 25–30 minute road leg.
How much connection time to leave
Match your buffer to your ticket type:
- Single ticket, airline-managed connection — follow the airline's minimum connection time. CSMIA has even introduced a domestic-to-domestic transfer facility within T2 to ease same-terminal connections.
- Self-transfer across terminals on separate tickets — leave at least 90 minutes and ideally 2.5–4 hours, especially for international connections, to cover bag collection, the coach, re-check and a second security screening.
- International-to-domestic or vice versa — the most time-consuming; immigration and customs add to the queues, so over-budget.
On a self-booked split, a missed connection is your problem, not the airline's. Where possible, book itineraries that keep you in T2 (which handles both international and much domestic) to avoid the coach entirely — compare such options in the FlightGPT chat.
International-to-domestic: the extra steps
Landing international at T2 and needing a domestic flight from T1 means: clear immigration at T2, collect checked baggage, pass customs, exit, take the inter-terminal coach to T1, then check in and clear domestic security. Each step queues separately, and Mumbai's arrival banks can be busy. If your onward domestic flight is also from T2, you may be able to use CSMIA's in-terminal transfer facility instead, which is far quicker. Confirm with your airline whether bags are checked through to your final destination — that single fact changes how much time you need.
Tips for a smooth Mumbai terminal transfer
Confirm both flights' terminals 24 hours ahead (T1 vs T2 matters, and some domestic flights are at T2); keep your onward ticket handy for the coach; carry medication and essentials in cabin bags; and use free Wi-Fi to recheck gates. T2 is the larger, more comfortable terminal with extensive food, retail and lounges if you have a long wait — see our lounge-access guide. If you're connecting onward to Shirdi or another regional hub the same day, remember the coach time eats into your buffer; read our Shirdi Airport guide for that leg. For transit-visa questions on international connections, see our transit-visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free shuttle between Mumbai Airport T1 and T2?
Yes. CSMIA runs a free inter-terminal coach between T1 (domestic) and T2 (international and some domestic), roughly every 15–20 minutes. You must show a valid same-day ticket or boarding pass for your onward flight to board.
How long does the Mumbai T1 to T2 transfer take?
The coach road journey takes about 25–30 minutes because of the one-way road system around the airport, plus waiting time. At peak hours it can be longer, so don't rely on optimistic 'few minutes' estimates.
How much connection time do I need at Mumbai Airport?
For a self-transfer across terminals on separate tickets, leave at least 90 minutes and ideally 2.5–4 hours, especially for international connections — to cover bag collection, the coach, re-check and a second security screening.
Are all domestic flights at Mumbai T1?
No. T1 handles mainly low-cost domestic flights, but many domestic flights — including most full-service ones — operate from T2. Always confirm which terminal each of your flights uses before travelling.
Can I avoid the terminal transfer at Mumbai Airport?
Often, yes. Because T2 handles both international and much domestic traffic, booking itineraries that keep you in T2 avoids the coach. CSMIA also has an in-terminal domestic-to-domestic transfer facility for same-terminal connections.