Mumbai travel guide

About Mumbai

Mumbai, also known as Bombay, is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India. Located on the Konkan coast along the west coast of India, it has a deep natural harbour. As per the 2011 Census of India, it is the most populous city proper in India, with a population of almost 12.5 million, while the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which is among the most populous metropolitan areas in the world, has a population of over 20 million. The city forms part of the Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts and is administered by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which was established in 1888.

Cheap flights to Mumbai

The lowest one-way fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $480 from New York, travelling 4 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

• JFK New York to Mumbai4 Nov · BOM from$480
• SFO San Francisco to Mumbai3 Nov · BOM from$626

Airlines travellers compared most often: Air India, United Airlines.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

Places to visit in Mumbai

1. 

   Gateway of India

   Landmark · 11 mi from centre

   A basalt arch on the waterfront built to commemorate a royal visit in 1911. Take a ferry from here to Elephanta Caves, and visit early to avoid crowds.

2. 

   Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

   Historic · 10 mi from centre

   A grand Victorian Gothic railway station from the 1880s, still one of the busiest in India and a UNESCO site. Book a heritage walk to see inside, or admire the lit facade from across the road at night.

3. 

   Elephanta Caves

   Historic · 9 mi from centre

   Rock-cut temples dedicated to Shiva, located on an island in Mumbai Harbour. The ferry ride takes about an hour, and the caves are closed on Mondays.

4. 

   Marine Drive

   Neighborhood · 10 mi from centre

   A curving seafront boulevard along Back Bay, nicknamed the Queen's Necklace for its arc of streetlights at night. Walk it at sunset, and continue to Chowpatty Beach for local snacks like bhel puri.

5. 

   Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

   Museum

   A major museum in a domed Indo-Saracenic building, with collections of Indian sculpture, miniature paintings and decorative arts. Allow at least two hours, and use the audio guide to understand the highlights.

6. 

   Haji Ali Dargah

   Religious · 8 mi from centre

   A white mosque and tomb on an islet in the Arabian Sea, reached by a narrow causeway. Check tide times before visiting, since the causeway can flood at high tide, and dress modestly.

7. 

   Sanjay Gandhi National Park

   Nature · 12 mi from centre

   A large forested park inside the city limits, home to leopards, birds and the ancient Buddhist Kanheri Caves. Visit early in the day for cooler weather, and hire a bicycle at the entrance to reach the caves.

8. 

   Crawford Market

   Market · 9 mi from centre

   A historic market in a Victorian building selling fruit, spices, dried goods and household items. Visit in the morning when produce is freshest, and bargain politely with the vendors before buying.

Things to do in Mumbai by type

10 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

• Art & culture 4 experiences Bandra Heritage Tour
• City tours 2 experiences Mumbai City - Private Walking Tour

Top experiences in Mumbai

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.

City tours

Mumbai City - Private Walking Tour

• 4 hours
• Free cancellation

From $135 per adult

Day Trips & Excursions

Discover Juhu Beach - Private Tour

• 1 day
• Free cancellation

From $107 per adult

Art & culture

Temples and mosques tour

• 2.5 hours
• Free cancellation

From $107 per adult

Zoo, Aquarium & Nature

Elephanta Caves - Half-Day Private Tour

• 3.5 hours
• Free cancellation

From $96 per adult

City tours

Mumbai by Night

• 5.5 hours
• Free cancellation

From $107 per adult

Gastronomy & nightlife

The flavors of Mumbai

• 5.5 hours
• Free cancellation

From $107 per adult

Art & culture

Meeting the Dabbawallahs

• 3.5 hours
• Free cancellation

From $146 per adult

Art & culture

Bandra Heritage Tour

• 5 hours
• Free cancellation

From $107 per adult

Art & culture

The Jewish Heritage Tour

• 6.5 hours
• Free cancellation

From $85 per adult

Travel Services

Travel Internet eSIM Data Card - Asia

• 365 days
• Free cancellation

From $11 per adult

Where to stay in Mumbai

Popular hotels in Mumbai, out of 798 properties you can book.

Fairmont Mumbai (Opening Soon)

• Mumbai City

From $294 per night

Hotel Kohinoor Elite near BKC

• Mumbai City

From $125 per night

The Beatle Hotel, Powai

• Mumbai City

From $60 per night

Hotel Kohinoor Continental, Near Airport

• Mumbai City

From $80 per night

Freesia by Express Inn, Ghodbunder

• Thane

From $62 per night

Freesia Residency By Express Inn Navi Mumbai

• Navi Mumbai

From $56 per night

Trident Bandra Kurla

• Mumbai City

From $315 per night

Comfort Inn Heritage

• Mumbai City

From $119 per night

Hilton Mumbai International Airport

• Mumbai City

From $251 per night

The Oberoi Mumbai

• Mumbai City

From $426 per night

The Taj Mahal Palace

• Mumbai City

From $967 per night

President, Mumbai

• Mumbai City

From $244 per night

Best time to visit Mumbai

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Mumbai is December to January, when average daytime highs are around 88–89°F and rain falls on about 0 days a month.

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Mumbai weather forecast

• Wed 21 Oct 97° 80° 6%
• Thu 22 Oct 98° 81° 6%
• Fri 23 Oct 97° 82° 47%
• Sat 24 Oct 95° 81° 34%
• Sun 25 Oct 96° 82° 8%
• Mon 26 Oct 97° 80° 6%

Know before you go

Currency

Indian rupee (INR)1 US dollar ≈ ₹95.1

Languages

Hindi, English

Calling code

+91

Driving

On the left

Time zone

Asia/KolkataUTC+5:30

Capital

New Delhi

Getting to Mumbai

These are the airports closest to central Mumbai. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

• BOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport1 mi (2 km) from the city centre

Getting around Mumbai

Most of Mumbai's inhabitants rely on public transport to and from their workplaces due to the lack of parking spaces, traffic bottlenecks and generally poor road conditions, especially in the monsoon. However, do ride in a taxi at least once in the city. Feel real adventure in a vehicle that feels like it might fall apart at speed with a driver who thinks he's Schumacher.

By train

The Mumbai Suburban Railway, commonly referred to as "Locals", is both an icon and a vital artery of Mumbai and a ride on it should be on every visitor's agenda. There are three primary lines in the city center — the Western Line, the Central Line and the Harbour Line. Combined, the network carries a staggering 9 million people daily.

By metro

The modern Mumbai Metro is expanding rapidly and offers by far the most comfortable rides in the city. The Aqua Line 3 , in particular, connects the airport to the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) business district, and onward all the way to the city's southernmost tip at Colaba, making this very handy for visitors. The Blue Line 1 connects Andheri East and West and Ghatkopar West very well.

By bus

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region around Mumbai is fast developing into a major conurbation. If you need to get to the surrounding cities of Thane, Navi Mumbai or Kalyan, bus services are available.

Mumbai travel FAQ