Unfortunately, everything you 39 ve heard about the mumbai local is probably true! trains can be extremely overcrowded, the doors never close and constantly have passengers hanging out of them, and people even travel sitting on the roof. However, if you 39 re feeling adventurous, don 39 t miss taking an unforgettable trip on the mumbai local. If you need reassurance, my 60 43 year old mother has done it and survived just fine!. Which terminates at churchgate in south mumbai, is regarded as the superior line because it goes through the better areas, has frequent services, and is the most reliable. Which runs from the chhatrapathi shivaji termius previously known as victoria terminus in south mumbai, has less stops but is more crowded.

Which also runs from chhatrapathi shivaji termius, is in dire need of upgrading, and is generally avoidable. If you don 39 t want to get caught in the chaos that the mumbai local is known for then travel during the day, from 11 a.m. Sundays are also relatively quiet, and are good days to travel on the western line the central line still draws the crowds.

However, if you want a maximum experience in the 34 maximum city 34 of mumbai, rush hours are when all the crazy things that the mumbai local is renowned for happen! if you 39 re traveling on the mumbai local as a tourist, mahalaxmi and bandra on the western line are two good destinations. Mahalaxmi because the astonishing dhobi ghat is located there plus it 39 s close to haji ali. Another popular attraction in mumbai , and bandra because it 39 s one of the hippest and happening suburbs in mumbai with fabulous shopping and nightlife. There are ticket counters in rooms at the main entrance of each railway station. These come in a little booklet full of various denominations such as a 30 rupee booklet, which contains 12 x 1 rupee coupons and 6 x 3 rupee coupons.

Just walk straight up to the counter, push your way in front of the line, and demand coupons. Don 39 t hesitate to be forceful about it, or you most likely won 39 t get served. While return tickets are issued at the ticket counters, coupons are only good for one way journeys.

They need to be punched by a coupon machine which are usually red in color and located in the same room as the ticket counters before the start of every trip. Mumbai local trains have separate carriages for women known as the ladies compartment , and cancer and disabled passengers. There are also first class carriages but they aren 39 t any more luxurious than the other carriages. The higher price of tickets merely keeps the majority of travelers out, therefore providing more space. If you want to travel in one, just look for where the groups of women are standing on the platform. Mumbai local trains are either fast with few stops or slow stopping at all or most stations.

Each can be identified by 34 f 34 or 34 s 34 on the monitors at railway stations. Fast trains will stop at the stations listed in red on the mumbai local train map. 12 carriages are standard on the western and central lines, whereas many platforms on the harbour line can only accommodate shorter 9 carriage trains.