Photo spot in Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Mumbai, Maharashtra
A UNESCO Victorian-Gothic railway station of turrets, gargoyles and stained glass — a working masterpiece.
Best time
Late afternoon, when the sun lights up the front of the building; blue hour, when the façade is lit against a deep sky.
Best angle
Stand on the far pavement of D N Road near the Municipal Corporation building and take a wide, slightly upward photo that fits the dome and the front towers.
Entry fee
Free (exterior)
Opening hours
Exterior viewable all day
Crowd level
High
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Late afternoon, when the sun lights up the front of the building; blue hour, when the façade is lit against a deep sky. Crowds here are typically high. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Stand on the far pavement of D N Road near the Municipal Corporation building and take a wide, slightly upward photo that fits the dome and the front towers. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Before the floodlit façade
With the dome and turrets behind
Outfit guide
What to wear at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
For photos at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, white, mustard and burgundy work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Mumbai.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
Eat nearby
Food near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for misal pav and vada pav nearby, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Photograph the façade from across D N Road, not from the busy station steps.
Use the pedestrian subway to cross the road, as the junction is very busy.
Avoid 8 to 11 am and 5 to 9 pm, when commuters pour out of the station.
Keep your phone and wallet in front pockets in the crowded concourse.
Ask at the station about the weekday heritage museum tour before you go.
Look up at the gate pillars to find the carved lion and tiger.
Come back after dark to see the lit façade from the same corner.
A station built like a cathedral
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was designed by Frederick William Stevens and built between 1878 and 1887 as the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. It opened as Victoria Terminus, named for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. It was renamed after Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1996, and the word Maharaj was added in 2017, which is why locals still call it VT, CST or CSMT. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.
What to look for
The style mixes Victorian Gothic with Indian details. A large ribbed dome rises over the main building, topped by a figure representing Progress. Look for the pointed arches, stained glass, gargoyles, carved animals and plants, and the lion and tiger on the gate pillars. After dark the façade is lit, sometimes in changing colours.
Inside the station
CSMT is still one of India's busiest stations, with long-distance and suburban trains. You can walk into the booking hall with its high, painted ceiling. A heritage museum inside the building has been open for guided visits on weekdays; check the current timings and booking rules before you plan around it.
Around CSMT
The Municipal Corporation building, another Gothic landmark, stands across the road. Crawford Market is about 1 km north, and Fashion Street's clothes stalls are about 1 km south-west. Marine Drive is about 2 km west, and the Gateway of India about 2.5 km south. Vada pav stalls are all around the station.
Questions
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus?
Late afternoon, when the sun lights up the front of the building; blue hour, when the façade is lit against a deep sky. Stand on the far pavement of D N Road near the Municipal Corporation building and take a wide, slightly upward photo that fits the dome and the front towers.
Is there an entry fee at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus?
Entry to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is free (exterior).
What are the opening hours of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is open exterior viewable all day.
What should I wear at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus?
White, mustard and burgundy photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus get?
Crowd levels are typically high. To miss the busiest window: late afternoon, when the sun lights up the front of the building; blue hour, when the façade is lit against a deep sky.
What food should I try near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus?
Try misal pav and vada pav, available at nearby restaurants.
Why is CSMT also called VT and CST?
It opened as Victoria Terminus (VT) in 1888. It became Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in 1996 and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in 2017. People use all three names.
Who designed CSMT?
Frederick William Stevens, an architect-engineer with the public works department, working from a watercolour design by Axel Haig. Building took about ten years, from 1878 to 1887.
Is CSMT a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. It was inscribed in 2004 as a leading example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India, and it is still a working railway station.
Can visitors tour the inside of CSMT?
The concourse and booking hall are open to anyone. A heritage museum in the building has offered guided visits on weekdays; timings and booking change, so confirm at the station.