Accommodation

Service apartments

ICISS has negotiated a deal with "business stay solution" for service apartments. INR 2200 + taxes will be charged for a double-bed with single occupancy (INR 2400 + taxes for double occupancy). Should you opt to book these service apartments, please drop a mail to babitagn@cse.iitb.ac.in with your requirements. Once the availability is confirmed, you shall be making the payment for your accommodation directly to the service apartment. To avail the rates mentioned above, you should be completing the reservation before 01 December, 2017.

Hotels

If you opt to stay at nearby hotels, here is a list of nearby hotels.

IIT Bombay has discounted rates negotiated with these hotels and you should mention it while making the booking.

Student Hostels

Students attending ICISS conference/workshops may avail IIT Bombay's hostel facility. Please drop a mail to jaynarayantudu@gmail.com or singh@ee.iitb.ac.in.

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Reaching IIT Bombay campus

Once you are in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), you may choose either Uber/Ola/Autorikshaws/Public transport to reach IIT Bombay (see the google map).

From the airport

International flights land at Terminal 2 of Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Sahar Airport) which is about 7 kms from IIT Bombay. The Domestic Airport - also known as SantaCruz is about 10 kms.

Apart from ride-sharing taxis (UBER/Ola), traditional Pre-paid taxis are available at both the Airports. Pre-paid Autorickshaws (three-wheelers) are also available at both the Airports for IIT Bombay (you may mention IIT Powai if the pre-paid payment desk does not respond positively to IIT Bombay.)

From the train stations

From Central Railway

If traveling by the central railway line [with tickets to Kalyan/Thane/Kurla/Dadar/VT(now known as CST)], get down at Kalyan/Thane/Dadar and take a local train to Kanjur Marg/Vikhroli, which are the nearest stations to IIT Bombay. Come out through the western-side gate and take a bus or, auto rickshaw to IIT main gate.

From Western Railway

If you are coming by the western railway line, get down preferably at Borivali/Bandra/Andheri. From Bandra (local railway station) West, you can take the 422 bus to IIT Bombay main gate. From Borivali East and Andheri East, there are a number of buses which come to IIT main gate. Alternatively, you can take a three-wheeler or taxi from these stations. If you get down at Mumbai Central, then travel in reverse direction to Dadar (Western Railway). From Dadar Western Railway, you will have to change to Dadar Central Railway. To reach IIT Bombay from Dadar Central Railway, follow the instructions given under Central Railway.

Security check at IIT Bombay gates

Entry to the IIT Bombay campus is upon satisfactory identification at all the 3 gates. Please tell the security staff that you are attending the ICISS conference if been asked.

Vaccinations & Health Tips

Many first-time travelers to India prefer to get preventive vaccinations (shots). The US CDC Website offers the latest vaccination information on travel to India. In other countries, there may be similar advisories available from the appropriate government agency. Checking various world travel sites is another source of information, including tips for first time travelers.

Foreign Exchange

While international credit cards are widely accepted in commercial establishments in India, several places rely on cash transactions in the local currency (Indian Rupee), especially if the purchase value is not very high. We suggest that you either carry some Indian currency when entering India or purchase Indian currency at the currency exchange agencies at the Indian airports, upon arrival. The current exchange rate is about ~66 INR per US dollar. Please check the conversion rate before you travel. Once in India, you can purchase additional Indian currency from local branches of Citibank, Thomas Cook, etc. However, it is typically difficult to convert Indian currency back into foreign currency because of exchange regulations.

Time and Weather

The Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5.5 hours ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The day temperature may range between 28-31 degrees Celcius and the night temperature may average around 18 degrees Celcius. Humidity is low in December. There is very low chance of rain during December.