India - Advise for Domestic-International transfer in BOM

In November I'm flying out from BOM at 1:20am with LX. The previous day I'll be in COK. To fly COK-BOM, I could book IC-162 leaving at 20:10 arriving at 22:10.

1) Would that leave me enough time to make the connection, considering that IC arrives to the Domestic Terminal 1A, while Swiss leaves from the International Terminal 2B?

2) Would it be better to book G8-452 leaving COK at 19:15 arriving BOM at 21:10? (GoAir arrives to Domestic Terminal 1B)

3) How smooth or complicated would the transfer be with any of these options?

4) Is G8 more or less likely than IC to arrive late?

Many thanks.

Its been a while since I transferred domestic to international in BOM, but from what it used to be, there's a transfer desk in domestic arrivals that you need to approach. They will help you load luggage (if not through-checked in) and passengers on to a coach/bus that departs every 15 minutes to the international terminal. This transist is airside, and will prob take 10-15 minutes, definitely not more. Given your connection time of 3 (possibly 4) hours, I strongly recommend you take this option rather than getting out of the domestic airport and finding your way to the international (by the main roads) on taxi...that may take anything between 20 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic (yes even at that time of the night).

The transfer should be smooth, but again, my suggestion would be to go with G8, rather than IC. IC's history of delays is legendary. Not sure about G8's on time performance record, but you may find another thread on this forum. I'd sincerely suggest flying G8, subject to the above.

Take IC - it'll interline with LX and you can check your bags through. G8 being an LCC won't interline your bags. [You'd have to recheck them at BOM airport anyway but if IC can check you in for your LX flight, and check your bags through, that's more straightforward]

The domestic and international terminals are in different buildings so there's an inter terminal airport coach, or you could get a cab (prepaid taxi counters at the domestic arrivals terminal). 3 hours is ample.


In November I'm flying out from BOM at 1:20am with LX. The previous day I'll be in COK. To fly COK-BOM, I could book IC-162 leaving at 20:10 arriving at 22:10.

1) Would that leave me enough time to make the connection, considering that IC arrives to the Domestic Terminal 1A, while Swiss leaves from the International Terminal 2B?

2) Would it be better to book G8-452 leaving COK at 19:15 arriving BOM at 21:10? (GoAir arrives to Domestic Terminal 1B)

3) How smooth or complicated would the transfer be with any of these options?

4) Is G8 more or less likely than IC to arrive late?

Many thanks.

Take IC - it'll interline with LX and you can check your bags through. G8 being an LCC won't interline your bags.

Didn't realise that, thanks hserus. Will this also mean that at least technically, IC is responsible for delayed connections?

Didn't realise that, thanks hserus. Will this also mean that at least technically, IC is responsible for delayed connections?

Well - if both flights are on the same ticket (you could call LX and have them add the IC flight on for you), then if IC misconnects you, LX should put you on the next flight available - which will be the next day, or on LH say.

Many thanks for the valuable suggestions.
I didn't realize that IC would interline with LX (IC is not yet members of Star Alliance, although it seems they are planning to join in 2010).
I will try to add the IC flight to the tickets for the LX flight.
Also, it is a relief to find out that the inter terminal transit is airside -- thus avoiding city traffic.

I just came back from my trip to India. I did take the IC flight. After buying the ticket there was a change in the schedule; fortunately this change was to an earlier time slot and I had over 4 hours for the transfer. Even after a flight delay of 45min, waiting for 30 min for the interterminal coach and a 20 min raid, I had plenty of time for the conection. I couldn't get both flights on the same ticket, but I only had carry-on luggage, so I didn't have to retrieve the luggage. Many thanks for all the help.