Skip to content

Book the car,not the cheapest one.

App cabs work well in Mumbai and cost little by world standards. Spend a bit more on a sedan or an SUV and the whole ride improves: the air-con, the boot, the driver.

airport to BKC, Uber or Ola
₹400–600
surge from 5 to 9 pm
1.5–2.5×
airport to BKC, off-peak
15–25 min
the same trip at rush hour
45–70 min
A white sedan waiting under the porch of a Mumbai hotel

Which app

Four ways to call a car.

  • Uber

    The default. Widest choice of cars, card or UPI in the app, fixed-fare autos too.

    Go · Premier · XL · Black

  • Ola

    The local rival. Worth opening when Uber is surging. A local number helps with sign-in codes.

    Mini · Prime Sedan · Prime SUV

  • Rapido

    Often the cheapest for autos and small cabs. Bike taxis are not licensed in Mumbai right now.

    Auto · Cab

  • Black-and-yellow taxi

    The metered street cab, and the only kind you can flag in South Mumbai. ₹33 minimum.

    Flag it, pay by meter

Which car

Go one step up. It is worth it.

  1. Hatchback

    Go, Mini

    Fine for a short daytime hop with no bags.

  2. Nowah’s pick

    Sedan

    Premier, Prime Sedan

    Better cars, working air-con, room for two suitcases.

  3. For groups

    SUV

    XL, Prime SUV

    Three or more people, or an airport run with luggage.

  4. Black

    Top tier

    The best cars and drivers. For a late night or a client.

Rules of the road

Six things that save a ride.

  • Expect surge from 5 to 9 pm

    Fares run 1.5 to 2.5 times normal, and BKC roads are slowest 4–8 pm. Take the metro then.

  • Pay for priority at rush hour

    Priority pickup costs a little more and finds a driver faster when everyone is leaving at once.

  • Drivers may call first

    They ask where you are going. Tell them the drop point, or message it in the app.

  • Pay in the app

    Card or UPI. It avoids the change problem and the “cash only” conversation.

  • Check the number plate

    Match the plate and the driver’s name before you get in, especially at night.

  • Check which airport

    Navi Mumbai airport is 60–90 minutes from BKC. The main airport is 15–25.