Mumbai

India's bustling coastal metropolis

Mumbai stands out as India’s busiest city and a major hub of commerce, culture and entertainment. It is home to towering skyscrapers alongside historic neighborhoods where street markets thrive. The city pulses with energy from early morning until late at night, driven by local trains carrying thousands of commuters each day. Mumbai’s food scene reflects its diversity, offering everything from spicy snacks sold on corners to fine dining restaurants serving global cuisines. Its beaches attract both residents and visitors seeking relief from the urban pace.

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City in India

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.6

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	3

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken and understood in Mumbai, especially in business, tourist areas, and among the younger population.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Mumbai Summary

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Dynamic for city life and culture. Visit historic landmarks, explore bustling markets, enjoy diverse street food and experience Bollywood entertainment.

Place score

7.7

Best at:

Local cuisine

Street food

Luxury shopping

Markets

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

💻 7

Digital Nomads

🥗 7

Vegetarian

India – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type D , Type M Type C: Type D: Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Indian Rupee (INR) £1 ≈ ₹126.52
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in India, especially in urban areas. Credit cards and mobile payment apps like Google Pay, Paytm, and PhonePe are widely accepted in cities. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in India but not mandatory. A 10% tip in restaurants is common. Tipping taxi drivers and hotel staff is also customary, typically 10-15% for good service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not commonly seen in India. Alcohol is typically consumed in licensed bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport stations.

Independence Day (15 August)	A national holiday celebrated with flag hoisting and parades
Diwali (October-November)	The Festival of Lights, celebrated with fireworks and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps:	Ola, Uber
Other:	India is a vast and diverse country with a rich cultural heritage, offering a wide range of experiences from ancient temples to modern cities. Prepare for varying infrastructure and safety conditions depending on the region.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Mumbai, India

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	March, Oct.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Monsoon June to September brings heavy rain, flooding and disrupted trains and flights

Ganesh Chaturthi (late August or September, about ten days) brings large processions and road closures, ending with sea immersions

Ferries and boat trips (such as to Elephanta Caves) usually do not run during the monsoon

Don't miss

🗽 Visit the historic Gateway of India monument
🌅 Stroll along Marine Drive at sunset
⛴️ Explore the ancient Elephanta Caves by ferry
🙏 Pray at the revered Shree Siddhivinayak Temple
🏛️ Discover history at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
🍲 Enjoy local street food at bustling Crawford Market

You've been here?

Why travel to Mumbai?

Visiting Mumbai immerses you in a dynamic urban tapestry where colonial-era landmarks stand alongside contemporary skyscrapers. The city's diverse neighborhoods, bustling markets and delectable street food create an unforgettable experience. However, be prepared for crowded streets and a fast-paced environment, which can be overwhelming but are intrinsic to Mumbai's charm.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Marine Drive
2 Haji Ali Dargah
3 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
4 Gateway of India
5 Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link
6 Nanabhai Moos Marg (Upper Colaba Road)
7 Siddhivinayak Temple
8 Elephanta Caves
9 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

🎡Places for activities

1 Taraporewala Aquarium
2 Nehru Planetarium
3 Juhu Beach
4 Prithvi Theatre
5 Dadasaheb Phalke Film City
6 Mahalaxmi Racecourse

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Powai Lake
2 Sanjay Gandhi National Park
3 Sea Breeze Kitchen
4 Aarey Milk Colony
5 Gilbert Hill
6 Vihar Lake
7 Rocks Beach
8 Kanheri Hills Air Force Station
9 Madh Island Road

🛍️Shopping

1 R City Mall
2 InOrbit Mall
3 Chor bazaar
4 Crawford Market
5 Palladium
6 Linking Road
7 High Street Phoenix

🎈Events

Ganesh Chaturthi
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
Mumbai Film Festival
Mumbai Marathon
Elephanta Festival
Banganga Festival
Mumbai Wine Festival
Holi Celebrations
Diwali Festivities
Navratri Festival

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Dress modestly; cover shoulders and knees at religious sites.
Book ferries or trains to Elephanta Caves early to beat crowds and monsoon disruptions.
Use Uber or Ola apps for safe rides; avoid street haggling during rush hour traffic chaos.
Visit Crawford Market early morning for fresh street food and local vibes before tourist influx.

How to travel to Mumbai

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport serves as Mumbai's primary gateway, connecting the city to numerous international and domestic destinations. Additionally, Mumbai Port and the nearby Jawaharlal Nehru Port facilitate sea travel, though passenger services are limited. The city is also well-connected by an extensive railway network, with trains arriving from various parts of India.

Access summary

From Chhatrapati Shivaji (BOM): Taxi or metro+train to South Mumbai, about 45–90 minutes.
From Delhi: Numerous daily flights to BOM, usually around 2–2.5 hours.
From Bengaluru: Very frequent flights to Mumbai, typically about 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Mumbai

Mumbai offers a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget guesthouses. South Mumbai, particularly areas like Colaba and Fort, is popular among tourists due to its proximity to major attractions and colonial charm. Suburban districts like Bandra and Juhu provide upscale options with vibrant nightlife and beach access.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Taj Lands End, Mumbai

9.1

Hilton Mumbai International Airport

8.6

Niranta Airport Transit Hotel & Lounge Terminal 2 Arrivals/Landside

8.2

Sun N Sand Mumbai Hotel

8.2

Sofitel Mumbai BKC

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Mumbai

Navigating Mumbai is facilitated by an extensive public transportation network, including local trains, buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis. The Mumbai Suburban Railway is the city's lifeline, though it can be crowded during peak hours. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses cover vast routes, offering an affordable way to explore the city. For shorter distances, auto-rickshaws and taxis are convenient options.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-67 %

Daily expenses in Mumbai are around 67% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to INR) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£20	£49	£155
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£23	£75
🍝 Food per day	£11	£24	£75
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£4

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£8.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£4.20
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.30
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.16
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.70
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.90

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.30
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£11
🤧 Cold medication	£0.55
💇 Basic haircut	£3.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Mumbai is generally safe for tourists, but it's essential to stay vigilant against petty crimes like pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas.

Health & Medical

The city has numerous hospitals and clinics offering quality medical services. However, it's advisable to drink bottled water and ensure food hygiene to prevent waterborne illnesses.

Accessibility

While major tourist spots are accessible, infrastructure for individuals with disabilities is still developing. Planning ahead and seeking accommodations with necessary facilities is recommended.

Tap water

Tap water in Mumbai is not considered safe for drinking. Tourists should opt for bottled water, which is readily available.