Let's say it’s 2 AM and you’re stuck in the endless queue at Mumbai Airport. Sleepy-eyed, half-hoping you haven’t misplaced your passport, you’re wondering if you’re about to get whisked away into some mysterious quarantine facility or—if you’re lucky—just breeze through to the city. I’ve been there.
Actually, I’ve been that person more than once, and trust me, the rules at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (which is a mouthful, so let’s just call it Mumbai Airport) can feel like a moving target—especially when it comes to international flights and quarantine.
Honestly, I wish someone had told me how weirdly unpredictable things could get. You read all these official guidelines online, but on the ground, it’s part logic, part luck, and a whole lot of hustle. So, if you’re planning to land in Mumbai from abroad—or heck, even thinking about it—let me walk you through what it’s really like. Not the sanitized, perfect version, but the messy, true-to-life one.
That First Step Off the Plane: A Mix of Relief and Dread
Okay, so the first time I flew back to Mumbai during the pandemic—late 2021, if you must know—I was armed with a folder full of documents: vaccination certificates, negative RT-PCR reports, hotel bookings, you name it. I’d read every advisory issued by the Ministry of Health, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and...well, every random travel blog I could find.
But here’s the thing: rules change. Sometimes overnight. Sometimes while you’re in the air.
I remember landing, groggy and caffeine-deprived, only to overhear an argument at the immigration counter. A guy from London was told he had to quarantine at a hotel, even though the week before, his friend had gone straight home. The difference? Apparently, the UK was on the “at-risk” list that day, and nobody could say when that would change again.
So, lesson one: don’t trust yesterday’s rules. Mumbai Airport’s quarantine policies for international arrivals have shifted with every new wave, variant, and government memo.
Surviving the Quarantine Roulette: Real Stories from the Trenches
You know those moments where you think you’ve got everything under control, and then...nope? My friend Ananya, who flew in from Dubai last November, messaged me in a panic—“Do I need to pre-book a quarantine hotel or can I go home?” She’d checked the official site, but it was vague, as usual.
When she landed, the staff at the airport directed all passengers from Dubai to a separate counter. Some were told to do a mandatory 7-day home quarantine, but a few unlucky souls (who’d been seated near a positive case, apparently) got shuttled off to a designated hotel. The criteria? Honestly, it seemed like a mix of seat numbers, country of origin, and, I swear, the alignment of the planets.
Another acquaintance, Rahul, flew in from New York in March 2022, just after the rules had supposedly relaxed. He was triple-vaxxed and ready to party. But the officer at the counter asked for his “Air Suvidha” self-declaration, then told him to wait for an on-arrival test. The lab was slow (midnight shift, what do you expect?), so he ended up stuck at the airport for nearly five hours, waiting for a negative result before he could leave. No quarantine, but plenty of grumbling.
And then there’s me—mid-2022, straight from Paris, armed with a negative RT-PCR (less than 72 hours old, because why risk it?). I was sent to a holding area, filled out a dozen forms, and after a lot of back-and-forth, was allowed to go straight home. But the kicker? My checked bag took an extra hour to show up. I almost envied the folks headed to quarantine hotels—they at least got some filtered water and snacks.
The Ever-Evolving Rulebook: Why You Need to Double-Check Everything
Let’s get one thing straight: Mumbai Airport isn’t trying to mess with you. But the quarantine rules for international arrivals are set by a mix of central government, Maharashtra state, and BMC authorities. Sometimes they align. Often, they don’t.
Remember those infamous “at-risk” countries? For months, arrivals from certain places—UK, South Africa, Brazil, parts of Europe—had to undergo institutional quarantine, even if they were vaccinated. Then the list changed. Sometimes, even the airport staff looked confused, flipping through thick binders of circulars and WhatsApp screenshots.
By late 2023, most fully vaccinated travelers could skip institutional quarantine, but home quarantine was still “advised.” Of course, “advised” in bureaucratic lingo sometimes means “enforced if you look suspicious or unlucky.” I heard stories about random home visits from BMC officials, though, in practice, most people just stayed in their rooms for a week, binge-watched Netflix, and ordered too much biryani.
If you’re flying in soon, here’s what I’d personally do:
- Check the latest BMC and Ministry of Health advisories the day before you fly. Not two days. Not the week before.
- Print everything—digital copies are fine, but paper rules here. I’ve seen people with fancy QR codes get flustered when scanners failed.
- Prepare for a test on arrival, even if your airline swears you don’t need one. Sometimes, they set up surprise testing counters.
- Quarantine hotel bookings: I used to book a refundable hotel room “just in case,” especially if I was flying in from a country that might end up on the list mid-flight.
- Brace for inconsistency. What your cousin experienced last month might not be what you face today.
What Happens If You Actually Have to Quarantine?
This is where it gets tricky. Mumbai has a list of “approved” quarantine hotels—mostly in Andheri and near the airport. Rates vary wildly, but expect to pay more than you want for a window that may or may not open.
A friend, Sumeet, shared his quarantine hotel experience from early 2022. He spent seven days at a mid-range hotel. Meals delivered to the door (cold by the time they arrived, he said), no maid service, and “Netflix buffering for eternity.” He made the best of it—caught up on reading, video-called family, and, oddly, started yoga. By day three, he was desperate for fresh air.
On the other hand, Priya, who did her quarantine at home in Bandra, said it was “weirdly relaxing.” She got her favorite food, worked remotely, and had her cat for company. The only hassle? Occasional calls from the BMC, asking for updates and threatening visits that never materialized.
The Little Stuff Nobody Tells You
Here’s where the quirks come in. Mumbai Airport can feel like a parallel universe after a long-haul flight. There are signs everywhere, but the English sometimes trails off halfway through a sentence. The staff is overworked but usually helpful if you’re patient (and polite).
If you’re worried about what to pack—bring snacks. The airport lounges aren’t what they once were, with most food options shutting by midnight. Bring a pen (you’ll fill out more forms than you think), and if you’re the nervous type, bring extra copies of your documents. I once watched a German tourist nearly cry when her phone died mid-process.
And, honestly, be ready for surprises. One time, the WiFi wasn’t working, so people had to scramble for mobile data just to show their quarantine bookings. Another time, the power flickered, and everyone waiting for their test results got sent to a different hall.
Mumbai Will Always Be a Little Chaotic, But That’s Half the Fun
Look, Mumbai’s not New York or Singapore—it’s its own beast. The airport quarantine rules for international arrivals might feel daunting, but you get used to the uncertainty. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Mumbai rewards flexibility and a sense of humor.
You might breeze through, or you might get stuck in a holding area eating cold samosas. Either way, you’ll come out with a story. And, in Mumbai, stories are just as important as the rules—maybe more so.
If you’re flying in, keep your wits about you, double-check the rules, and try to enjoy the chaos. It’s all part of the Mumbai experience. And hey, if you find a shortcut through the quarantine maze, let me know—I’ll buy you a vada pav next time I’m at the airport.
