Mumbai Airport Terminal Guide: T1 vs T2 Explained

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (IATA: BOM) is India’s second-busiest airport (Airports Authority of India). It serves as the primary gateway for Maharashtra and handles an enormous mix of domestic and international traffic. The airport has two passenger terminals, T1 and T2, that serve different airlines. Picking the wrong terminal is a costly mistake. This guide tells you exactly where to go, what to expect, and how to make the most of your time at BOM.

TL;DR: Mumbai Airport T1 serves IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air domestic flights. T2 handles all international flights and Air India domestic. The terminals are 4 km apart with a free shuttle. Book on HappyFares for zero convenience fees.

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Is Terminal 2 at Mumbai Airport Domestic or International?

Both. Terminal 2 is Mumbai’s international terminal, and every international departure and arrival at BOM uses it. T2 also handles a large block of domestic flights: those operated by Air India and Air India Express. So a T2 boarding pass does not automatically mean you are flying abroad.

Inside T2, domestic and international operations are separated. Domestic check-in and domestic departures use their own zone and gates, while international passengers go through emigration and security in a different part of the building. Follow the domestic or international signage from the kerb, because entering through the wrong gate means walking back out and around.

Which domestic flights use Terminal 2?

Domestic flights operated by Air India and Air India Express normally depart from T2 at Mumbai. This catches people out, because most travellers assume every domestic flight leaves from T1. If your ticket says Air India or Air India Express and the sector is within India, plan for T2 unless your boarding pass says otherwise.

Terminal allocation is not fixed forever. The airport operator has moved airlines and individual flights between T1 and T2 before, usually to ease congestion, and it can do so again with little public notice. The terminal printed on your boarding pass, shown in your airline’s app, or listed on the CSMIA website on the day of travel always wins over any guide, including this one.

Is Terminal 1 at Mumbai Airport Domestic or International?

Terminal 1 at Mumbai Airport is domestic. No scheduled international flights operate from T1. It handles domestic services for the low-cost carriers, mainly IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air. If you are flying out of India from Mumbai, you want T2, even if your airline uses T1 for its domestic flights.

That last point is the one that costs people money. IndiGo, for example, flies domestic out of T1 but its international departures leave from T2. Same airline, same airport, two different buildings 4 km apart. Check the terminal field on your e-ticket before you decide which side of the airport to head for.

Is T1 domestic or international at other Indian airports?

It depends entirely on the airport, so the answer for Mumbai does not travel well. At Delhi, T1 is a domestic terminal while T3 handles international flights along with full-service domestic operations, which our Delhi airport terminal guide breaks down in detail. At Bengaluru, both terminals handle a mix of domestic and international flights. There is no national rule that makes T1 domestic and T2 international, so always check the specific airport.

How Many Terminals Does Mumbai Airport Have?

Mumbai Airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. There is no T3 at BOM. T1 is the domestic terminal for low-cost carriers and T2 is the integrated terminal that covers all international flights plus Air India and Air India Express domestic services.

You will also see 1A, 1B and 1C on signage around Terminal 1. These are sections of the same terminal building rather than separate terminals, and passengers pass through a common security area. IndiGo has historically used the 1B side while SpiceJet and Akasa Air have used 1C, but sections do get reallocated, so follow your airline’s signage at the entry gate. Separately, a general aviation terminal handles private and charter aircraft, which is not relevant to scheduled passengers.

What Is the Difference Between Mumbai Airport T1 and T2?

Mumbai Airport T2 is one of India’s most acclaimed airport terminals, built for around 40 million passengers a year and winner of multiple global design awards. Opened in 2014, T2 was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the same firm behind Bengaluru’s Terminal 2, and features an art wall spanning over 3 km displaying 7,000 works from Indian artists (CSIA, 2024). T1, by contrast, is older and more utilitarian, handling high-volume domestic low-cost traffic efficiently.

The core difference is simple: T1 is for budget domestic carriers, and T2 is for full-service domestic plus all international flights. If you know your airline, you know your terminal, with one exception that we cover below.

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Terminal 1 (T1): Domestic Low-Cost Carriers

T1 at Mumbai Airport handles domestic operations for IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air. It is a high-volume terminal designed for quick turnarounds, so check-in, security, and boarding happen at a fast clip. The terminal is organised into piers, which is why you will see T1B and T1C on the signage. Both sit inside the same terminal building with a common security area.

Facilities at T1 are functional. There are food stalls, a few coffee counters, Wi-Fi, and charging points. Don’t expect the art installations or premium dining you will find at T2. But T1 is efficient: domestic check-in lines move quickly and security is well-staffed during peak hours.

Terminal 2 (T2): International Plus Full-Service Domestic

T2 handles all international departures and arrivals at Mumbai, plus domestic flights operated by Air India and Air India Express. It is the flagship terminal, spanning approximately 4.42 lakh square metres across four levels with 188 check-in counters, 4 piers, 52 aerobridges, and 48 immigration counters (CSIA, 2024).

T2’s signature feature is the art wall, one of the longest continuous art installations anywhere at over 3 km, displaying folk art, contemporary works, and artefacts curated from 7,000 pieces. The terminal also has a range of premium dining, branded retail, two international lounges, and multiple airline lounges. It is genuinely worth arriving early if you are departing from T2.

Which Airline Uses Which Terminal at Mumbai Airport?

Here is the complete terminal guide for Mumbai Airport in 2026:

The one exception to watch for: Air India operates both domestic and international flights from T2. So if you are on an Air India domestic flight, you go to T2, not T1. This catches many travellers off guard.

How Far Apart Are T1 and T2, and How Do You Transfer?

T1 and T2 are approximately 4 km apart by road, and there is no airside connection between them. Mumbai Airport provides a free inter-terminal shuttle bus that runs between T1 and T2 approximately every 20 minutes during operational hours. The journey typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. If you need to transfer between terminals, for example arriving on a T1 domestic flight and then connecting to an international flight at T2, allow at least 90 minutes for the connection.

The shuttle pickup points are clearly marked outside the arrivals exits at both terminals. For connecting passengers, collect your baggage, clear customs if required, and then follow the “Inter-Terminal Transfer” signs to the shuttle bay. The shuttle is free and available to passengers with a valid ticket.

Connecting Domestic to International at Mumbai

If you are arriving on a low-cost domestic carrier (IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air) at T1 and connecting to an international flight at T2, the minimum connection time is 2 to 2.5 hours on separate tickets. You will need to reclaim baggage at T1, take the shuttle to T2, re-check your bags for the international flight, and clear international security. This takes time, so don’t book anything tighter unless both legs are on a single PNR with the same airline covering the connection.

Lounges at Mumbai Airport

Mumbai T2 has excellent lounge options for both domestic and international travellers. The primary lounges are:

GVK Lounge (T2, Domestic and International)

The GVK Lounge at T2 is accessible to domestic and international travellers with Priority Pass, DragonPass, and select premium credit cards including HDFC Infinia, Diners Club Black, and SBI Elite. It offers a buffet, showers, Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a business centre. The domestic GVK Lounge is airside, accessible after security for domestic departures from T2.

Air India Maharaja Lounge (T2)

The Maharaja Lounge is available to Air India Business Class passengers, Executive Platinum and Platinum frequent flyers, and Star Alliance Gold card holders. It offers full catering, a bar, showers, and a dedicated team for special requests.

International Airline Lounges (T2)

Emirates, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, and other major carriers operate their own premium lounges at T2 for First and Business Class passengers and top-tier frequent flyers. These are access-controlled and vary by airline policy.

Lounge Access at T1

T1 does not have a Priority Pass lounge. A basic lounge exists but access is limited and card benefits vary. If lounge access matters to you, T1 is not the terminal for it. Check your card’s specific lounge tie-ups before assuming entry.

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Food and Dining at Mumbai Airport

Dining at T1

T1 has a compact food court with quick-service counters. You will find Café Coffee Day, Burger King, and a handful of Indian snack outlets. Pre-security options are cheaper. Post-security, the selection narrows but covers the basics: sandwiches, biryani, coffee, and packaged snacks. Budget ₹200 to ₹500 for a meal at T1.

Dining at T2

T2’s dining scene is substantially richer. Airside in the international departures area, you will find a multi-level food court with McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Mahesh Lunch Home, Sarvana Bhavan, Social, The Irish House, and Starbucks, among others. The art wall and natural light create a pleasant dining environment. A meal here costs ₹600 to ₹1,500 per person. There is also a 24-hour food zone near the gates for night departures.

DigiYatra at Mumbai Airport

Both T1 and T2 at Mumbai Airport support DigiYatra, India’s facial recognition-based paperless boarding programme. Registered passengers skip manual document checks at entry gates and security, which the DigiYatra Foundation says cuts the time spent standing in document-verification queues at enrolled airports.

To use DigiYatra at Mumbai, register once on the DigiYatra app with your Aadhaar. Your biometric profile is device-stored and used only for your current journey. For domestic travellers at T1, where queues build quickly during morning peaks, DigiYatra is one of the most practical ways to save time.

DigiYatra makes the most difference at Mumbai T1, because the terminal has higher dwell-time pressure than T2. Fewer seating options and tighter gate areas mean every minute of security time saved matters more. If you fly T1 regularly, enrolling in DigiYatra is one of the highest-value five-minute investments you can make.

Tips for First-Time Flyers at Mumbai Airport

Mumbai Airport can feel overwhelming on your first visit. Here are the things that actually matter:

• Confirm your terminal the night before. Check your boarding pass, e-ticket, your airline’s app, or the CSMIA website. T1 and T2 are in opposite directions at Mumbai, so a wrong turn costs you 30 minutes minimum.
• Account for Mumbai traffic. The road to the airport from South Mumbai or Bandra can take 45 to 75 minutes during peak hours. Add buffer time. For T2 international flights, aim to arrive 3 hours early.
• Complete web check-in. Most airlines allow check-in 24 to 48 hours before departure, and it is free. At T1, this means you can head straight to bag drop and skip the check-in queue.
• Enrol in DigiYatra before you fly. Especially for T1 departures, because security lanes during morning peak are long for non-DigiYatra passengers.
• Keep your boarding pass screen brightness high. Scanners at Mumbai struggle with low-brightness screens. Turn up your brightness before reaching the scanner.
• Use the Skywalk at T2. T2 has an elevated walkway connecting the car park to the terminal. It is faster than ground-level approaches and avoids the drop-off traffic.

Common Questions

Q: Is Terminal 2 at Mumbai Airport domestic or international?

Both. Terminal 2 handles every international flight at Mumbai Airport, plus domestic flights operated by Air India and Air India Express. Domestic flights on IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air depart from Terminal 1 instead. When in doubt, check the terminal field on your e-ticket or boarding pass.

Q: Is Terminal 1 at Mumbai Airport domestic or international?

Terminal 1 is domestic only. No scheduled international flights operate from T1 at Mumbai. It serves domestic departures and arrivals for IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa Air. International flights on those same airlines depart from T2, so check the terminal on your ticket rather than assuming your airline uses one building.

Q: How many terminals are there in Mumbai airport?

Two passenger terminals: T1 and T2. There is no Terminal 3 at Mumbai. The 1A, 1B and 1C labels you see on signage are sections of Terminal 1, not separate terminals. A separate general aviation terminal handles private and charter aircraft only.

Q: Which terminal does IndiGo use at Mumbai Airport?

IndiGo operates domestic flights from Terminal 1 (T1). IndiGo international flights depart from Terminal 2 (T2). Confirm your terminal on your boarding pass or your airline’s app before heading to the airport.

Q: How far apart are T1 and T2 at Mumbai Airport?

The terminals are approximately 4 km apart by road. A free inter-terminal shuttle bus takes 15 to 20 minutes. If connecting between terminals, allow at least 90 minutes and ideally 2 to 2.5 hours for international connections on separate tickets.

Q: Is DigiYatra available at Mumbai Airport?

Yes. DigiYatra is available at both T1 and T2. Registered passengers use biometric lanes at entry and security checkpoints for faster processing. Register on the DigiYatra app using Aadhaar before your next Mumbai flight.

Q: Which credit card lounges are available at Mumbai Airport T2?

The GVK Lounge at T2 is accessible via Priority Pass, DragonPass, and select premium credit cards including HDFC Infinia and Diners Club Black. The Air India Maharaja Lounge is available to Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold members. T1 has no Priority Pass lounge.

Q: Which terminal does Akasa Air use at Mumbai Airport?

Akasa Air operates domestic flights from Terminal 1 (T1). Always check your Akasa Air booking confirmation or the CSMIA official website for the latest terminal information before you travel.

Last updated: July 2026. Terminal assignments are subject to change, so always verify with your airline before travel. Sources: Airports Authority of India (AAI), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSIA/GVK), DigiYatra Foundation.

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