Changing airlines at BOM
 

On my way back home I'll be connecting from an IT flight from GOI to a MH flight to KUL in BOM...The IT flight gets in at around 4, MH leaves at 10. Will it be hard to transit? Also I'm going to guess that the MH check in desk will not be open until around 6 or 7, is there any other lounge I may be able to access (I'm flying MH J and have Priority Pass and Amex Plat). This trip will be my first time in India so really not sure what to expect but am hoping to be prepared.

the IT flight will arrive at terminal 1 while your MH flight will depart from terminal 2. Both are physically separate terminals. you'll need to get out of terminal 1 (known as domestic) and ask for the transit to the international terminal (2). I would assume your bags wont be through checked in, so you need to collect them from the belt. there are coaches to the other terminal every 20-30 mins so you could get one from the domestic terminal, or take a prepaid cab from the outside if you please. at the international terminal you'd only be able to access any foodcourts after checkin/passport control and security check. so you could kill time alternatively at one of the hotels nearby?

good suggestion....if your flight lands at the domestic terminal at 4pm & all goes smoothly then you should be able to get to the international terminal between 5:00-5:30pm....there are tons of hotels that have some very nice restaurants within 5 minutes from the international terminal....you can easily kill a couple of hours there since you don't need to check-in until 8pm....

A question on the similar lines -

Previously, CISF would not let anyone inside the terminal 4 hours prior to the departure time.

How is it now? Are they okay with people entering anytime?

That'd be good to know...still trying to find out if there are any airside lounges, if not I guess I'll just go and grab dinner at the Hyatt near the airport.

CSIF will not let you in more than 4 hours early. I think there is a good chance that IT will through-check your bag, especially if it is on one PNR. So, my suggestion is to take a cab/car from the domestic terminal to one of the hotels near the international terminal. 4:00 PM is before the worst of the traffic, but it could still take easily 30+ minutes. Have a late lunch/early dinner at the hotel, and then head to the international airport around 8 for check-in. (None of the lounges in BOM are that nice.)

I'm used to SkyClubs so a lounge doesn't have to be that nice for me to find it acceptable, guess going to a hotel is the best answer though. I don't worry about bags...I travel full carry-on...one international sized roller and a briefcase. Fits 7 days of clothes in that and then get them washed at one of my hotels.

Thanks again for all the help!

the only way they would let you in before 4 hours is if you already had your boarding pass....otherwise you will have to wait....

So if I can find a way to get my boarding pass in advance I can get in?

correct....

Thanks for the info about the BP! Did not know about that...