Arriving at Mumbai's international terminal, i'd love to get an
Uber ride to my hotel.


But i recognise two problems: getting an internet connection while waiting in the visa line or for my bags; and should that be possible, working out where to meet the driver.

Any help/insight?

Just take a prepaid airconditioned taxi from the basement. They're tiny for 2 pax plus bags, but fine if you're alone.

I don't really find Uber convenient from BOM T2. You have to walk in the non-airconditioned heat to the parking stucture and now they charge a INR 100+ fee for pickups from there, so some of the drivers don't want to pay it and try to call you to meet you outside, which is obviously a problem if you have an international phone number and don't want to pay the ridiculous roaming charges in India.

+1 to this. Look for Meru Cabs or Tab Cabs. They charge a fraction more, but will get you a small sedan with a boot instead of a hatchback.

i agree....i hate taking an uber from the new bom terminal....

Brilliant - thanks for the advice. Difficulties in pick-up seem to be a problem at many airports: I had to ditch the attempt to locate my Uber car at Jakarta and take a Bluebird.

But a corollary question. I'm arriving with three friends and theirs bags: is it a challenge to get an Innova-type car from the taxi desks? Can't say I fancy a taxi-convoy to the hotel.

Forget about Uber.Its just a big pain...........

Uber is washed completely out of my mind I'm now focussed on the problem of getting a large taxi - capable of carrying four of us plus bags ....

Uber is indeed cheaper from the airport - say Rs.650/- for a "SUV" (could be an Innova, small Honda station wagon, or anything under the sun that might have space behind the second row!)

The most innovate procedure to handle Ubers at BOM T2 is that sometimes they suggest picking you up at the departure level. That is a pain as well if you have luggage, as the elevators are almost always full and you have to wait.

You could also look for a Akbar Travels stand (Red and white logos - the script is red, they also have 2 downstairs) when you come out of Customs into the large area, upstairs.

I haven't seen this stand upstairs, as they said they had one, but never have noticed it. I gather you can ask at the information stand.

They normally extort substantial amounts from people for an Innova - say Rs. 2k for South Mumbai, but you should bargain this down to Rs. 1,500/- or less.

Note that once you get to the taxi stand area, they may switch you into another smaller-type (SUV as well) vehicle, so you must insist on getting what you paid for.

Thanks! I found the Akbar website - the SUV/Innova class is Rs 1450. Reservable with credit card online.

I wasn't overly keen on the credit card thing, so emailed them: the rate is now Rs1800 (moving the wrong way )

Told ya!

Regarding the original quiestion: getting wifi in T2 arrivals is impossible, the airport free wifi only works with a indian number, they are unable to send the verification sms to foreign phones at all. I arrived last saturday night and was unable to help a gentleman who didn't have a BA intin to show the CISF guard to enter the upper departure level and wanted to start the BA app with the wifi. The workaround was to ask someone for their mobile number, get the confirmation code on that phone and copy it to the wifi portal. too much hassle.

It must be a pretty common situation - but what is the solution if there's no super-patient good Samaritan? I'm guessing there's not a tented car-park village for foreigners refused entry to the terminal, so does the undocumented passenger get marched to check-in under guard - or () is there some donation made to a military charity?

In CCU the CISF has a print out of all pax from all airlines operating that day and can check if you are due to fly. I have seen CISF call airline desk staff over to check if the person has a reservation.

In India its always best to have a paper print out of everything: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/india...ighlight=paper

CISF at BOM did also, earlier - haven't had the need to use this option recently though, but they too probably still maintain this. (Only during Pre-T2 times)