Step-by-Step First Time Traveler Guide

1. Ensure you have a valid passport with a least 6 months validity on it and any valid visas required for travel 

2. Pack a SMALL bag to carry on the plane with you and in it pack essential items such as

a. Passport

b. Copy of flight reservation

c. Copy of hotel reservation

d. Copy of welcome kit and arrival information provided by host

e. Any medication you need

f. A change of clothes in case your checked baggage does not arrive

g. Some dry (non-perishable) food that you can eat if you don’t like the food on the plane. In this case when you land in Mumbai, India you will travel for four hours by road to Pune, so you should pack some dry food to eat during this trip too. Do NOT carry fruit of any description.

NB. DO NOT PACK ANY LIQUIDS IN YOUR HANDBAGGAGE THAT EXCEED 100ml OR ANY SHARP ITEMS SUCH AS TWEEZERS OR SCISSORS. THEY WILL BE TAKEN FROM YOU.

3. Your hold baggage (main suitcase) should not exceed 20kgs.

4. Arrive at the airport at least 2-3 hours before your flight is due to depart. Check-in lines can be long and you also have to go through a security check-point.

a. When you arrive at the airport look for your airline check-in desk

b. Give the airline representative your reservation and passport and tell them how many bags you have to check-in (should be one

c. The airline representative will ask you some security questions that are very important. Please take them seriously and answer them sensibly. Expect to be asked:

  • Did you pack the bag yourself and where did you pack it?
  • Are you aware of all the contents?
  • Does the bag contain any flammable or dangerous items?
  • Do you have any sharp objects in your luggage?
  • Have you left your bags unattended at anytime?

d. The airline representative will then tag your bag to the final destination Mumbai (BOM)

e. You will be given all your boarding cards for each flight you are taking. If you are not clear or do not understand anything please ask the airline representative to clarify the gate number of your first flight, the time you need to be at the gate and which way you need to go to clear the security check-point

f. Once at the security check-point please remove everything from your pockets and place in the tray provided. You may also have to remove your belt, your shoes, your jewellery, your coat and your scarf. You should then place your tray at the opening of the x-ray machine and when asked to do so, you should walk through the metal frame which is a body scanner. This is completely harmless. Sometimes the machine will beep and you will be asked to step to one side so a security representative who is the same gender as you can ‘pat you down’. This is straightforward procedure where the representative will pat your shoulders, arms and legs to ensure you have nothing concealed. You should then be free to go and collect your tray with your personal items the other side of the x-ray machine.

g. BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE SECURITY AREA PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE YOUR PASSPORT AND ALL YOUR BOARDING CARDS PLUS ALL YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS

h. Look at the DEPARTURE signs and look for your gate number. Please ensure you arrive at the gate in good time. If you get lost, then approach someone in uniform and ask for assistance.

i. Once at the gate, the boarding process can take some time. Please listen to any announcements that the airline representatives make at the gate about how they are boarding the flight. They sometimes choose to do this by row-number. E.g. Passengers in rows 30-45 may board now. Or passengers in rows 15-30 may come forward for boarding now. If you are not sure please ask for assistance.

j. Your seat number is printed on your boarding card. Once on board please find your seat number which is displayed on a panel above each seat. You should place your hand baggage in the locker above your head or underneath the seat in front of you. This is for safety.

k. On flights over 5 hours a meal is usually served. On flights over 8 hours you will be served one meal and breakfast or a light snack.

l. When you land in your destination gather your hand luggage and leave the plane quickly. If you have to take another flight then remain IN TRANSIT and follow the signs for FLIGHT CONNECTIONS. DO NOT follow the signs for Baggage Reclaim or Customs. You will have to show the boarding card for your next flight at the security check-point and you may be asked to go through the security procedures again. Once you have gone through security find your next gate and go there immediately. The same boarding procedures will apply as previously mentioned.

m. Once you arrive in your final destination you will need to clear PASSPORT CONTROL and then collect your bag from the baggage reclaim area.

n. Once you have your baggage you need to clear CUSTOMS which will bring you into the arrivals area.

IN CASE OF ANY DOUBT, AT ANY TIME PLEASE ASK IF YOU ARE NOT SURE. PEOPLE ARE MOST HELPFUL.

ON ARRIVAL IN MUMBAI :

Prior to your departure out of the International airport in Mumbai, AFTER your baggage has been collected, there are various counters where money can be exchanged into the local currency – like Thomas Cook, or it is written FOREIGN EXCHANGE AVAILABLE. You may go here to exchange money, if required. They will ask for your passport details etc ., and the amount that you need exchanged.

After this proceed to the Arrivals area. Once in the arrivals area look for the person holding a (banner) with SWaCH yellow colour, written on it.

There will be someone to receive you on “Arrival” in Mumbai. They will enquire your name and will cross it on the list that they are provided with. Accordingly they will put you into the respective taxi headed for Pune and will drop you off at YASHADA, where you will check into the rooms allotted to you on arrival.

In case of emergency, there is a calling booth immediately outside the Arrival airport, for you to call.

Sandra : 9765405479

Sandis : 9822267152 (Mumbai)

Nalini : 07829777737