Getting online right upon arrival is vital for many travelers visiting India, and buying a SIM card at Mumbai airport (BOM) (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj) makes staying connected easy.
This guide provides tips for selecting a SIM card at the airport to have data, calling, and SMS access while exploring Mumbai and beyond. Factors like network coverage, data allowances, and add-on options will be mentioned to choose the best fit.
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Upon arrival at Mumbai Airport (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj), there are various onsite options available for purchasing local SIM cards in India.
In contrast to Delhi Airport, Mumbai Airport exclusively offers SIM cards from 02 primary carriers for tourists, namely Airtel and MTNL. The following details provide information on their locations, operating hours, and prices for your convenience.
Airtel maintains a prominent booth in the arrival hall of Terminal 2, situated next to Exit B after baggage claim and customs clearance. This makes their SIM cards highly accessible for arriving travelers looking to get connected.
Meanwhile, past reports from 2013 indicated MTNL also had a small SIM sales counter located near the taxi stands in Terminal 3. However, recent confirmation of MTNL’s continued airport counter presence could not be found.
The Airtel booth at Mumbai Airport is open daily. The store hours are estimated to be between 6 am-10 pm daily to cover most flight arrival times.
Airtel offers a 28-day prepaid plan at the airport booth, providing 1.5GB of daily data and local calling for ₹600 (approximately $7.50).
However, some travelers observed that the identical plan is available for ₹299 when bought directly from Airtel through their app or website. Payments can be made using debit/credit cards or cash in Indian rupees (INR).
Good to know: 1 USD = 83.18 INR (Jan 07, 2024)
Here are the commonly chosen SIM card choices for tourists exploring Mumbai, India:
| Operator | Data/ Validity | Price (INR/ KRW/ USD) |
| Airtel | 1GB Data valid for 14 days | 149 INR/ 21,000 KRW/ $16 |
| Vodafone | 1GB Data valid for 15 days | 129 INR/ 18,500 KRW/ $14 |
| Jio | 2GB Data valid for 30 days | 252 INR/ 36,000 KRW/ $27 |
| BSNL | 1GB Data valid for 30 days | 100 INR/ 14,500 KRW/ $11 |
As you can see, the Jio provides the best value for tourists. Thus, when choosing mobile operator for your India SIM, consider Jio.
Here are the key things to prepare when buying a SIM card at Mumbai Airport:
Note: Do not worry about languages as the staff at airport kiosks speak English fluently and will guide you through the purchase and activation process.
► Recommendation: If you don’t need immediate internet access upon arrival, consider buying a SIM card from city stores. Airport SIM prices are higher with basic plans and limited hours, while stores offer monthly plans at lower prices.
For travelers arriving in Mumbai, eSIM provides a more convenient alternative to purchasing a physical SIM card at the airport. The key benefits of using an eSIM for Mumbai include:
When traveling to Mumbai, I recommend opting for eSIM data packages provided by Gigago. As a prominent eSIM service provider, Gigago offers affordable eSIM plans for Mumbai through Jio, the largest mobile network in the city.
Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 3 GB for 30 days with $14.50 . What is great about Gigago’s India eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $14.50 – $29.90 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in India, there is always an option for you with Gigago.
You can recharge online via apps or websites. Look for stores near your hotel/ destination too. Stores at airports may charge a premium.
If you purchase the SIM card online, there’s no need to present it, whereas if you acquire it at the airport, you’ll be required to show it.
If your phone is locked, you can’t use a SIM card from India. So, it’s not possible to buy one at Mumbai airport in that case. If you need internet during your stay, consider renting a wireless device.
Whether you are visiting from another country or a resident looking to switch, getting a prepaid SIM card is still one of the simplest ways to stay connected while traveling around Mumbai. By learning about the main choices and costs available, you can pick the best plan for your needs.
To sum up, acquiring a SIM card at Mumbai airport remains a straightforward choice for both visitors and locals.
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