Major city · India
Mumbaiमुंबई
Give Mumbai two to three nights for the harbour-front sights and street food, book it as a coastal city rather than a monument city, and skip the monsoon months when trains and flights are routinely delayed.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, lower humidity, most comfortable for walking)
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy monsoon rain floods streets and delays trains and flights)
- Airport
- BOM
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Mumbai is India's largest city by population and its financial and film centre. The historic core is at the southern tip of a long peninsula, while most of the city and the main airport lie far to the north. Distances are short on the map and slow in traffic.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mumbai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 emergency (all services) · 100 (now routed to 112) police · 108 (most states) or 102 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)India-wide
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (Far north of the southern sights; allow 60–90 min by taxi to Colaba in normal traffic).
- Getting aroundThe Western and Central suburban rail lines and the Mumbai Metro move the largest volumes of people but get very crowded at rush hour.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (Far north of the southern sights; allow 60–90 min by taxi to Colaba in normal traffic)
Weather and climate
Mumbai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Western and Central suburban rail lines and the Mumbai Metro move the largest volumes of people but get very crowded at rush hour. Taxis and app cabs (Uber, Ola) are easier for short-stay visitors; ferries run from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Colaba and Fort
Closest to the historic sights and the harbour; walkable.
Bandra
Cafes and nightlife, closer to the airport side of the city.
Juhu
Beachfront hotels near the airport; convenient for late arrivals or early flights.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Monsoon rain can flood roads and delay trains and flights.
- Agree the taxi fare method or use the meter/app before you start.
- Check the operator for ferry services to Elephanta, which pause in bad weather.
- Suburban trains are extremely crowded at rush hour; avoid peak commuting times with luggage.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mumbai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, lower humidity, most comfortable for walking) · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy monsoon rain floods streets and delays trains and flights)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 4 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialMaharashtra Tourism
- officialIncredible India
- secondaryWikivoyage — Mumbai