How to Get from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to Thane

First confirm whether your flight arrives at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, because the closest railway station and some ground-transport pickup points differ. CSMIA identifies Vile Parle (East) as the nearest suburban station for the domestic terminal and Andheri (East) for the international terminal.

If you need to move between terminals, CSMIA provides a complimentary shuttle. At Terminal 1, its pickup is at the arrival exit toward Departure Gate 2; at Terminal 2, it is on Level 1, Ground Transportation Level (P4).

Taxi and car-rental booking zones are on the arrival level. App-cab pickup locations vary by terminal and provider; at Terminal 2, options include Level 1, Ground Transportation, Multi-Level Car Park P4, and Level 2 Arrival West, Multi-Level Car Park P6. Check the instructions for your service before heading to a pickup point.

Metered taxis and app-based cabs are available at both terminals, and CSMIA also offers car rentals among its airport transport options. For a door-to-door trip to Thane, these avoid the need to change between airport transport and another service, though traffic can affect the drive.

Use the arrival-level taxi or car-rental booking zones for those services. For an app-based cab, follow the pickup instructions for your terminal and provider; Terminal 2’s pickup points are not all in the same location.

Metered auto-rickshaws are available at both terminals, but the airport describes their operating area as Mumbai’s suburbs from Borivali to Bandra in the west and up to Sion in the central region. That stated coverage does not extend to Thane, so don’t assume an airport auto-rickshaw will take you there.

The public transport choices include a direct BEST bus to Cadbury Junction and connections to suburban railway stations from the airport. Thane is connected by regular trains, and Thane railway station is the busiest station on the Mumbai suburban network, according to the Thane District government.

Direct bus to Cadbury Junction

BEST route 884 runs between CSMIA Terminal 1 and Cadbury Junction in Thane via Terminal 2. The route fare is ₹125 to Cadbury Junction, and the Terminal 2 pickup is at the Level 1 Ground Transportation West loading dock area (P4).

The route has airport departures at 06:40, 07:40 and every subsequent hour, and Cadbury Junction departures at 05:10, 06:10 and every subsequent hour. Since schedules and fares can change, verify the service before planning around a departure.

Bus and suburban railway connection

For Terminal 1, BEST route 312 connects the airport with Vile Parle (East) and Andheri (East) railway stations. From Terminal 2, routes 321 and 308 connect with Vile Parle (East) and Andheri (East), respectively. From either station, you can continue by suburban rail toward Thane.

CSMIA describes the suburban railway as having Western, Central and Harbour lines, but does not show a direct airport-to-Thane train connection. You’ll need to reach a railway station from the airport first. BEST provides bus-route and fare details; the airport transport page does not give operating hours for routes 312, 321 or 308.

Metro stations near the airport include CSMIA Airport T1, CSMIA Airport T2, Marol Naka and Sahar Road. The airport transport information does not describe these as a direct connection to Thane, so treat them as local airport-area stations rather than a complete airport-to-Thane route.

Choose based on your arrival terminal and how many changes you’re prepared to make. A taxi or app-based cab takes you onward without a public-transport connection; the direct BEST route 884 serves Cadbury Junction; the other bus routes take you to railway stations for a train connection.

If you’re taking the train, match the bus to your terminal: route 312 serves both Vile Parle (East) and Andheri (East) from Terminal 1, while routes 321 and 308 serve those stations from Terminal 2. If you’re using an app cab, confirm its specific pickup point before leaving the arrivals area.

Route 884 ends at Cadbury Junction; for planning an onward visit to the city centre, you can use how to get from the hotel to Thane city centre and plan a day there.

Route 884 serves Cadbury Junction, while the other bus options connect with suburban railway stations for the onward trip.

For planning the onward trip once you reach Thane, how to get around by local transport can help you consider connections beyond the airport journey.

Before you go: Airport pickup points, bus services, schedules and fares can change. Check the official CSMIA site before you go, and confirm BEST route and fare details with BEST.