Kochi to Mumbai Trip: A Smooth Journey!

[cardio_guy]

This post details my recent trip from Kochi to Mumbai and back, covering transportation, airport experience, sightseeing, local travel, and accommodation.

Travel Dates: February 28th to March 3rd
Number of people: Two

Booking:

• Hotel: We booked our comfortable accommodation through MakeMyTrip, at a cost of approximately ₹5,000 per night.
• Flights: We used Amazon to book our flights for a one-way price of around ₹8,000 per person (one side).

Kochi to Airport:

• Metro: Efficient and affordable! We used the Kochi Metro smart card to reach Aluva station for ₹48 (approx. 1 hour).
• Metro Feeder Bus: Convenient connection to the airport. Cost: ₹60 per person (approx. 15-20 mins). Buses run every 30 minutes (7 am - 10 pm).

Cochin Airport Experience:

• Digi Yatra App: A lifesaver! Pre-registered boarding passes on the app ensured a smooth entry process with facial recognition at security and boarding gates.
• Airport Lounge: We enjoyed delicious food and comfortable seating at the lounge using our ICICI Sapphiro and Federal Celesta cards (no name checks, ₹2 per person).

Flight:

• Vistara Airlines: Our flight to Mumbai was on time and comfortable, taking about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Mumbai:

• Ola Taxi: Easy and convenient way to reach our hotel from the airport. Dedicated parking for ride-hailing services like Ola, Uber, and Meru at the P4 parking lot.

Hotel Positives - Bawa Regency, Dadar

• Polite and nice staff
• Good location
• Supportive front desk

Hotel Neutral:

• Food a bit expensive (opted for Swiggy delivery)

Local Travel:

• Mumbai Local Trains: We explored the city using the extensive train network (Western, Central, and Harbour). Changing platforms can be tricky initially, but the experience is rewarding once you get the hang of it. Local trains offer the cheapest travel option and run until 1 am.
• Kaali-Peeli Taxis: Abundantly available black-and-yellow taxis with a minimum fare of ₹28.
• City Tour Bus: We enjoyed a scenic tour for ₹150 per person on a double-decker bus, covering popular landmarks like Nariman Point, Churchgate, Marine Drive, and CST.

Food:

Mumbai offers a plethora of delicious and affordable food options. We enjoyed local cuisine throughout our trip.

Return Trip:

• Digi Yatra: Once again, the Digi Yatra app ensured a quick and hassle-free entry process at the airport.
• Adani Lounge: We relaxed at the Adani Lounge before our return flight, using the same cards for access. Conveniently located kiosks throughout the airport allowed us to check in for the lounge upon arrival.
• Air India Flight: Our return flight on Air India was comfortable and on time.
• Metro Feeder Bus & Metro: We seamlessly used the metro feeder bus and metro to reach home from the airport.

Tips:

• Download the Digi Yatra app for a smoother airport experience.
• Consider using local trains for a budget-friendly way to explore Mumbai.
• Take advantage of the city tour bus for a scenic overview of key landmarks.
• Mumbai offers a variety of food options to suit all tastes and budgets.
• Booking directly with this hotel can get you complimentary breakfast (compared to booking through MakeMyTrip)
• Buying a large water can (10L) can be cost-effective for longer stays.

Overall, our trip from Kochi to Mumbai was a pleasant and well-organized experience. We hope this information helps you plan your future trip!

 

[Gaara]