Located about 20 km north of downtown Mumbai, Santa Cruz houses the domestic terminal of
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. It is bounded by
Vile Parle in north,
Khar in south,
Juhu in west and
Kurla in east.
The name is a Portuguese word which means ‘Holy Cross’ and was given by the migrants from Santa Cruz, a village in the state of Goa.
The place is divided in to Santa Cruz (East) and Santa Cruz (West). The University of Mumbai is situated at Kalina in Santa Cruz (East). St Anthony's Church and Vakola Masjid are the places of worship. Juhu Beach is west of Santa Cruz. Western Express Highway and Nehru Road and the Kalina-Kurla Link Road pass through the place.
Bandra is around 4 km south.
Santa Cruz Railway Station is on the Bandra-Andheri line.
The International Terminal of Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is around 5 km from Santa Cruz. Nearest major railhead is Bandra Terminus Station. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station is around 17 km south.