Getting connected after landing in Mumbai can make your first few hours in India much easier, from booking a ride to finding your hotel or contacting your host. If you’re planning to buy a local SIM at the airport, knowing what to expect can help you avoid unnecessary delays and choose the right option for your trip.
This guide covers what it’s like to buy a SIM card at Mumbai airport, what to prepare before you reach the counter, and whether a travel eSIM might be a better fit for your needs.
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The SIM card counter at Mumbai airport is run by Airtel and sits in the Terminal 2 arrivals area on Level 2, after baggage claim and customs. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) handles international arrivals at Terminal 2, and Airtel is the only SIM provider listed on the airport’s official service page.
Travelers describe the desk as small and close to the exit where hotel drivers wait with name boards. It’s best to buy before you walk out, because you may not be allowed back into the arrivals hall.
Travelers report finding the Airtel counter open late at night, and some say it operates around the clock. However, opening hours can vary, and the counter may not be staffed at every hour.
If you arrive very early in the morning or late at night, it’s best to have a backup ready, such as a travel eSIM installed before your flight or Mumbai airport Wi-Fi.
If you land in the early morning or late at night, it helps to have a backup ready, such as an eSIM or airport Wi-Fi.
Travelers report paying about ₹600 to ₹650 at the airport desk for a pack with about 1.5GB of data per day for 28 days.
For comparison, Airtel’s regular recharge price for a 1.5GB-per-day plan with unlimited calls is ₹349 for 28 days. That’s the price of a recharge pack, not the full cost of a new SIM with registration, so the gap is partly what you pay for getting connected on arrival.
A city store of Airtel may charge less, but buying a new SIM there as a foreign visitor can involve stricter document checks. Therefore, if you need data as soon as you land, the airport desk is usually the more practical choice.
Pro Tip: It’s wise to carry some rupees in cash, since reports on card payments at the airport desk are mixed. ATMs are available in the arrivals hall.
No, Airtel is the only SIM provider listed on Mumbai airport’s official SIM service page, so for Jio, Vi or BSNL you’ll need to look for an official store in the city. MTNL, which some older guides mention, isn’t listed as a SIM provider at the airport either.
You’ll need your original passport with a valid Indian visa. Staff may take your photo as part of the KYC registration process. It also helps to have:
For foreign nationals, Airtel states that mobile connection validity is tied to the visa validity date. Some sellers may also ask for a local reference contact, so it’s worth having a host’s or hotel’s phone number handy.
If you’re not sure whether your phone is unlocked, here’s how to check whether your phone is unlocked.
Travelers report that activation at the airport desk can take from a few minutes up to about an hour, though some wait longer. It’s a good idea to stay near the counter until data, calls and texts work on your phone.
If the SIM still isn’t working after 24 hours, you can contact Airtel customer care.
An eSIM is easier if you’d rather skip the counter and the SIM registration process, because you can install it before you fly and it connects when you land. The Airtel airport desk issues physical SIM cards, so if your phone only supports eSIM, the desk can’t help you.
Gigago’s India eSIM connects to India’s main networks, including Airtel, Jio and Vi. It’s data-only, so you won’t get an Indian phone number, but you can use hotspot and make calls through apps like WhatsApp. You don’t need to provide any personal documents when buying travel eSIM from Gigago.
Plans range from $2.5 to $131.5. A 3GB plan valid for 30 days costs $10.5, subject to confirmation on the current plan selection page. Before you buy, it’s worth checking that your phone is on our eSIM compatible list, then choosing a plan on the India eSIM page.
If you need a local number, buy an Airtel SIM at the Level 2 arrivals desk before you exit, with your passport, visa and some rupees ready. If you only need data, an eSIM set up before your flight lets you skip the counter.
Yes. Foreign visitors need to provide a passport and valid visa for SIM registration under the carrier’s KYC requirements. Bring both to the Airtel airport desk.
You can recharge an Airtel prepaid SIM through the Airtel Thanks app, airtel.in, or Airtel stores and retailers in the city. Recharging is usually cheaper than buying a new pack at the airport.
No. A locked phone won’t work with an Indian SIM, so you’d need to unlock it first or use another device. An eSIM also needs an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone.
Yes. You can log in to #MumbaiAirportWiFi with a local or international number that can receive SMS. If you have no working SIM, you can show your passport at a Wi-Fi kiosk or information desk to get a password. On Level 2 arrivals, kiosks are near the Gate B meeter-greeter area and near belt 8.
No. Gigago’s India eSIM is data-only and doesn’t come with an Indian number, so it can’t receive SMS codes sent to one. If you need Indian OTPs for banking or apps, you’ll need access to an Indian mobile number that can receive the relevant SMS. OTP delivery may also depend on the service and your account settings.
No. Navi Mumbai International Airport started international flights on July 15, 2026, and this guide covers Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). It’s worth checking your ticket for your arrival airport before you plan where to buy a SIM.
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