Switching between BOM T1 and T2 can easily eat 30–45 minutes
The Inter Terminal Coach Facility links Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in about 5–10 minutes of driving, but real‑world transfers often run longer. Trip reports say the coach can sit in the same airport traffic as taxis, stretching the ride to 10–15 minutes, plus variable waiting time at each terminal.
This is an airside shuttle only for true through‑ticket connections, mainly helping domestic–international and international–domestic transfers that keep you within the airport system. FlyerTalk users flag that some self‑connecting passengers at T1 low‑cost carriers are sent landside instead, then have to use taxis or app cabs they did not plan for.
Frequency is advertised as “frequent”, but reviews mention unpredictable gaps, especially late at night after 23:00 or during irregular operations. Because of that, frequent flyers say to assume 30–45 minutes door to door between terminals, not just the headline 5–10 minute ride time printed on airport signs.
Cost is generally handled as part of your airline-arranged transfer, with no separate ticket bought from the driver. Some passengers report confusion between the official coach and prepaid taxis at T2 arrivals, paying extra for a car when the bus would have been covered, so confirm with airline or transfer desk staff before following anyone out of the terminal.
Signage to the inter‑terminal transfer desks can be patchy on arrival at Terminal 1, especially off late‑night domestic LCC flights. Reddit and Tripadvisor posts mention walking a few extra minutes and asking staff near specific gates or baggage belts to point them to the correct desk instead of just following generic “Exit” boards.
Capacity is a mixed bag: during banked waves around early‑morning international departures (roughly 02:00–05:00), buses can leave with standing room only. That adds stress if you are hauling two carry‑ons plus a checked‑bag tag receipt and trying not to crush duty‑free bags for a long‑haul flight in T2.
Regulars build in 1.5–2 hours for any T1–T2 or T2–T1 connection and tell check‑in staff about the terminal change so boarding passes, bag tags, and transfer instructions line up. If your bags are checked through but your layover is under 60 minutes, many frequent flyers just book an Uber or Ola between terminals for a small fare and a more predictable clock.
One practical tip: once you land, head straight to the inter‑terminal transfer desk before stopping for food or currency exchange; shaving even 10 minutes off the queue and coach wait often matters more than grabbing a quick snack at the previous terminal.