mumbai tourist safety

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Is Mumbai Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

India : Safety by City

• Navi Mumbai
• Thiruvananthapuram

Mumbai is also widely known as Bombay, with more than 21 million inhabitants.

It is considered to be the biggest city in terms of population in the whole world.

Mumbai is popular with tourists due to its numerous temples, bazaars, museums.

The first thing everyone wants to see when they visit Mumbai is the Gateway of India.

With so many sights to see, planning a trip to Mumbai must include sightseeing, visiting the restaurants, experiencing the nightlife.

Mumbai is the commercial capital of India and the center of the globally-influential Hindi film and TV industries.

• Warnings & Dangers in Mumbai

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

Because Mumbai is a huge and populous city, the level of crime is high. Travelers can easily become victims so they need to avoid traveling alone on public transport or in taxis, especially at night. There have been reports of British tourists becoming the victims of a scam by taxi drivers.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

The taxi meters scams are frequent occurrences in Mumbai and the taxi drivers may change the price for their service during the ride. The public transport is dangerous due to the pickpockets, so be careful on the overnight trains and buses. Do not hail taxis on the street. In case you want to drive a car or ride a motorbike, be aware that road accidents are the main cause of death in India, so make sure to wear a helmet when on motorbike.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Wherever there are a lot of tourists, pickpockets are operating. So, the commercial capital city of India is not an exception and has a serious problem. It is always advisable to keep an eye on your belongings whenever you are in busy and crowded areas of the city.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

India is very exposed to natural dangers, such as earthquakes, flooding, and severe storm. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities. The possible natural disasters in India are heavy monsoon rains, too. International weather updates are a good service to inform you about the possible risks and you should follow them before planning to come to India. Cyclones and tropical storms are also possible to happen.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

When it comes to kidnapping and mugging, it is not common and the risk of being seriously assaulted does not exist. You can feel free when these kinds of crimes are in question.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

India is very exposed to terrorism and the risk is high. Terrorist groups include Lashkar-e Tayyiba, Jaish-e Mohammed and the Indian Mujahideen. The places visited by British nationals, such as religious sites, markets, and beaches, are the main targets. What you, as a traveler, should do is to check the local media before planning your travel.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Mumbai is the city where the unfair individuals might try to fool you to obtain the money from you, particularly if you are a distracted tourist. Some of the frequent scams are importing gemstones scam, fast meter scam in a taxi and beg for milk or pen which are very well known throughout whole India.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH

When the safety of a sole woman in India is in question, the risk of being sexually assaulted is at a very high level. Women travelers often receive both verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of men. Serious sexual attacks are constantly happening, so women travelers should exercise caution when traveling in India even if traveling in a group.

• So... How Safe Is Mumbai Really?

Like most parts of India,  some of the most common crimes in Mumbai are purse-snatching, which can sometimes be done from a motorcycle, so it is advisable not to have your valuable things and money with you in your purse.

Only tourists who are vigilant and smart should travel to Mumbai and it is never a good idea to travel there alone.

Though it is not very common for tourists to be victims of any sort of violent crime, it happens sometimes.

Make sure not to speak too much about yourself to unknown people and do not accept any drinks.

Women should bear in mind that there have been recent cases of sexual assaults reported from all over the country.

You need to be aware of all the possible dangers, but you certainly should not avoid coming to Mumbai if you get the chance.

• How Does Mumbai Compare?
• Useful Information

A visa is compulsory when traveling to India. You need to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet the requirements of the country you are visiting. Your visa needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. At the airport, your passport will be stamped and an expiry date for your e-visa will be handwritten by an Immigration Officer.

The official currency of India is the Indian rupee. The tourist should know that they are not allowed to bring any amount of Indian currency into the country. You can get the best currency exchange rate at international airports, in banks, post offices, and big hotels. There are ATM terminals in the international arrival area.

Mumbai has three main seasons — Summer, Monsoon, and Winter and the best time to visit it is between November and February when there is little humidity. The minimum temperature is 17 degrees and the maximum is 31 degrees. Summer is hot and humid from March to May, while the monsoon season lasts from June to September.

Kempegowda International Airport is one of the possible ways of coming to Mumbai and it has excellent connectivity with most of the major cities around the world, including, New York, London, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong. Another one is Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport which is India's second busiest airport and one of the main international gateways to the country.

Travel Insurance

It does not matter which country you are visiting traveler should always obtain a travel insurance policy in case of medical issues, theft, and loss of personal items.

Mumbai Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

India - Safety by City

Explore mumbai.

• A Dozen Cheap Things to Do in Mumbai, India
• Where to Next?

34 Reviews on Mumbai

Bombay is wonderful to visit!!!

Any part of India especially Mumbai is SAFE so safe is not 49 but way higher

Completely misleading

Weird how you say such things. Mumbai is a vigilant city. Not a single Terrorist attack has happened since 2006. Mumbai is as safe as New York minus the gun violence.

This is a city of honorable men and women, and Pick-pocketing is common yes but doesn’t travel with loose pockets. Carry a backpack and always keep your belongings in them while traveling.

The city ranks 3rd in one of the most honest cities in the world.

Taxi fraud has reduced tremendously, and who uses regular cabs anymore? get an UBER!

Public transport has seen a revolution and an extensive metro system with very good security systems will be in place soon.

Night risk is very low. Mumbai is a 24hr city. Malls are open at all times and cops are always in place. South Bombay may get a bit deserted yes. But in all advice, stay in Bandra West as a tourist as those neighborhoods have livelier nightlife.

For female travelers. Chances of being sexually assaulted are not any higher than that of Rome or Paris.

Overall it a wonderful city and a safe city. a city built by businessmen and merchants and hard-working individuals with dreams to succeed.

Beautiful city

I’ve been to Bombay multiple times and I love it so so so much! It’s one of my favorite cities and I never felt unsafe. Just like most cities there is always the chance of getting pickpocketed but as long as you remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings you will be fine.

Stop putting mumbai down

Mumbai is a very safe beautiful city. I hv got lost in Mumbai must say people were wonderful. I always find the most beautiful, kind hearts live in Mumbai. Do not simply make stories and make Mumbai seems dangerous. Whoever edited this article shd be ashamed of urself. I love my India.

Agree. I have been travelling to Mumbai as a single woman since 1974 and have never had a problem. Love the city.

Thanks for motivation. I was scared reading this article

Completely agree. I travelled several times all over India and never had uncomfortable situations or issues anywhere!!

Poor safety, Corrupt politicians,Police helpless

Mumbai is unsafe for tourists and common people because of the political connections between mafia of drugs and terrorists.It is unsafe as Mumbai Police will not give a hand of help unless politicians allow them to do so.A city where underworld,politics,buisness lobbies,local goons,drugs, rapists,corruption everything is in symbiosis

seems you have watched too many Bollywood movies and based on the same wrote this review. I feel like laughing after reading your comments. lol lol lol.

I am going to mumbai despite the review, ty

Hi Ajay please stop telling rubbish and don’t talk like a crack person about Mumbai

Mumbai is the safest place in India for every person, because here there is no mafia of drugs and terrorist or and also there is no bad element at all in Mumbai and also the Mumbai police is the best police in the whole India.

Mumbai is 100% safe. 1000s of women work, travel and stay alone in Mumbai. One has to have a common sense and be a little vigil, thats all it takes to be safe.

This is a very misleading post and whoever wrote this has probably not experienced Mumbai the right way. Mumbai is a lot safer than New York City.

Mumbai is the safest city in India.. Its an economical hub, surrounded with well cultured people , plenty of variety of food, festivals, beautiful weather and list is on.. So visit this amazing place so that you will cherish the memories lifetime…

Taxi scams are still a thing ? Get an UBER or OLA y’all. Grrrr… This post is at least 3 decades old.

Best City in India

Mumbai is Best and Safe city. You can have a verity of food and historic places to visit. If you want to experience heavy Rush with personal space, then Welcome to Mumbai .

Safest city in India

Mumbai is a vibrant city with some of the most helpful people. Very safe for women too at least till midnight. Mumbai never sleeps.

Complete Misleading information about Mumbai. Very safe for women and coming to Pick-pocketing, yes it is still common.

It’s 2020 and Mumbai is safe for travelers. Pls do not trust this website lot of fake stories written here.

Totally bullshit information this website itself giving misleading information

Totally bullshit blog.

Best City To Explore

After reading this article I feel like slapping the writer. It seems you have never visited Mumbai and wrote this article based on some fake information especially about the risk factor. Let me tell you that Mumbai is always safe to travel and people over here are very helpful who likes to share their culture with each and every individual who visit this city. A women can travel any where within the Mumbai even in the middle of the night. Rickshaw and Taxi drivers are very humble and they make sure if there is a solo female traveler they drop them to their destination safely. People are very welcoming and the treat the visitors with utmost respect which you don’t find in many countries. There are so many good things about Mumbai and it’s people that one article is not enough to describe the beauty of this city and it’s people. So get your facts right before you write these kind of stupid articles.

Highly uninformed

I have been living in Mumbai since the last 30years. This is the worst review I have ever read or heard. Mumbai is a 24×7 buzzing city. Safety in the city is top notch and has always been. There are no second thoughts of even stepping out late night. As someone pointed earlier, public transport has become much better over the years.

I have no clue of what natural disasters you speak about. If you’re talking about minor flooding, that’s normal as Mumbai’s flood water drains, drain into the sea and during high tide cause flooding in certain parts.

As for terrorist attacks, we haven’t seen one since 2008. Mumbai is a very safe city, industries work 24 hours, people move around 24 hours, food available 24 hours, certain stores open 24 hours.

I’m sure the author of the article has never visited Mumbai or lived here long enough to write a review. I would urge each person visiting India to experience Mumbai. Its one of the finest city where everyone is there for everyone.

Totally Misleading. I’m living in Mumbai since birth Mumbai is really safe for travellers Take an uber and no-one can scam you Girls are safer here in the night even compared to Goa (Goa is like my second home) but Goa is overall safer but can’t say about the night. Foreigners are always welcomed by Mumbaikars There are less chances of get pickpocketed here If the monsoon hits us hard, we do facing floods in some areas but thats about it when it comes to natural disasters The Last terrorist attack was 12 years ago The only bad thing about Mumbai is the Summer heat and over crowding in some places

Who even wrote this BS Mumbai is the safest city in the whole of India. I’m living here since birth The only thing that sucks here is the summer heat and over crowding in some places

Misinformation at best

Mumbai is one of the safest city in India. If someone considers Paris as a High Risk city for Tourists for scams and New York as a High Risk City for mugging then I agree with the gentleman’s view. London/Paris has seen more terrorist activities then Mumbai in recent years but would not dare to put them under High Risk city. Mumbai as any other city has its own challenges and as a tourist you need to be careful and vigilant as you would do outside your home city. People are friendly but you should not ask anyone on the street but reach out to shopkeepers for any assistance. It is crowded so as any other city in India. Do not flash cash and digital wallets and credit cards are accepted by most of the shops. For Cab, do not fall trap to local taxis and hire OLA or UBER for convenience. Do not enter crowded places like public transport (unless you thrill ) which you may have a bad experience as a tourist sheerly because of crowd. Tourist Women should Wear decent and proper clothing in public places as you could be target of constant harmless gazing which could make you uncomfortable. All in all you can be safe as long as you are vigilant as any touristy places

Mumbai is one of the safest city in India one of the best public transport availability just lil crowded thats it even if you tavel by taxi or rikshaw there is meter reading for your payment so no chance to fool and for nightlife there lot of pub bar restaurant which serve you late night or you can enjoy your night drive at Marine drive

Read a majoity of reviews. Really, when you step out of your house, anything can happen. You are aware of your surroundings, you know the do’s and don’t’s. It’s call “common sense”. Apply this when you travel, regardless where. No city is perfect, nowhere. So, with that in mind, Mumbai sounds Great 👍 thank you.

My beloved India and my boloved Bombay. ‘ say Bombay and not Mumbai, because, when ‘ went there for the first time ( 50 years ago) was Bombay and my memories are and will remain Bombay. Many things are changed, ‘ remember hours to reach the airport from Colaba; now just 30 minutues more or less. Bombay is so beautiful, so glamour; friendly people, Santo Domingo, a taxi driver, so gentle and helpful; remembering sweet Nuthan, a beautiful lady; was very fond of me and very fond of Her. She is a part of my memories of the glorious days there. Bombay is SAFE, yes, the slums, some areas poor but always found good people. Miss India so much, this damn covid !!! Colaba, Nariman Point, Bandra, Juhu, Chowpatty, Gamdevi, Malabar Hill; any place must be seen and really hope to be there again

What? MUmbai risk is higher than London, New York and Paris? Really? Why don’t you guys say that some cities in South Africa and Mexico are safer than my city?

Mumbai is the best

Completely fake, mumbai is one of the safest It is one of the best city in the world. They are really spreading rumours #Noob website

City you will fall in love with!!

Mumbai is one of the most safest cities in India. People are friendly. If you are not getting any particular place, they will go out of the way to help you.

Risk of Terrorism??!! Really what is writer speaking about apart November 2006 there is nothing, that way even New York is unsafe as well.

Please do not follow the reviews given in the article. Once you visit the place you will fall in love with it!!!

I love traveling worldwide; I’ve already been to Germany, Italy, Spain, Egypt. There are a lot of exciting places in Egypt. I’ve been to the red sea, swam there, and conquered this underwater world. The most dangerous thing is the sun. You can quickly get sunstroke there. But Egypt was the last place I went. Because of this pandemic, I didn’t go anywhere for a long time. But I came across the website https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/india/mumbai/ . And after what I saw, I got the idea to visit this beautiful place. And I think shortly I will go there. After all, because of the pandemic, I got bored of sitting at home.

Mumbai is safe. Follow the usual safety rules ( anywhere in the world) and you should be ok. eg. Dont flast too much money, expensive stuff, roaming in quite areas, giving out too much information. Avoid the monsoon season and if possible, too crowded areas like the railways etc. during working hours. Do your research before you arrive. Keep alternative hotels etc. Contact numbers and locations, incase your reservation gets cancelled. Drink bottled water, Aquafina. Avoid eating anything that has any liquid, in it. Unless it’s from a good restaurant. Hospitals and visiting a Doctor is generally a walk-in or you could call in advance. Ask directions from shopkeeper. Google maps work well, so you can download an offline one too. Surrounding can be a bit dirty and infrastructure a bit chaotic but overall it’s generally a safe city

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Article Contents

• Mumbai : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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Mumbai Safety: Am I Safe to Travel to Mumbai, India in 2024?

Mumbai, the dream city, blends cultures, cuisines, and commerce, where aspirations thrive amid ceaseless hustle. Wondering if it's safe? A valid question in its bustling, dense setting.

Safety in Mumbai is a multifaceted issue, encompassing everything from crime rates to local laws and cultural norms. Whether you're a solo traveler, a family on vacation, or someone looking to make Mumbai your home, understanding the city's safety landscape is crucial. Let's dive into what makes Mumbai tick and how you can navigate its vibrant streets with confidence.

Key Takeaways

• Mumbai's crime rate is relatively lower than other major Indian cities, but visitors should remain vigilant against petty theft, pickpocketing, and scams in crowded areas.
• Respecting local laws and cultural norms is crucial for safety in Mumbai, including dress codes at religious sites and regulations on public displays of affection, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
• Navigating the city safely involves staying informed about safer neighborhoods, avoiding risky areas at night, and being cautious when using public transportation, especially during rush hours.
• Adopting simple yet effective safety practices, like securing valuables and avoiding unsolicited offers, can significantly enhance both the safety and enjoyment of your Mumbai experience.
• Understanding and respecting Mumbai's diverse cultural landscape, including dress codes and religious practices, not only ensures a safer visit but also enriches the overall travel experience.

Understanding Safety in Mumbai

When considering the safety of Mumbai, it's essential to dig into the facts and figures that paint a clear picture of what you're dealing with. Known as the financial capital of India, Mumbai attracts a mix of business travelers, tourists, and newcomers eager to explore its opportunities and lifestyle. However, like any major metropolitan area, it comes with its set of safety challenges.

Crime Rates and Safety Indices

To get a grasp of Mumbai's safety, looking at recent crime statistics is crucial. The city's crime rate, compared to other major cities in India, is relatively lower, but petty theft, pickpocketing, and scams are not uncommon, especially in crowded places like local trains, markets, and tourist attractions.

These numbers reflect the most recent data available and show that while significant crimes may be lower, you still need to stay vigilant, particularly in crowded or less-familiar areas.

Local Laws and Cultural Norms

Understanding local laws and cultural norms is another critical factor in ensuring your safety in Mumbai. India has strict regulations on certain behaviors that might be more lenient in other countries. For instance, public displays of affection, consumption of alcohol in public spaces, and dress codes in religious places are areas where you must be cautious to avoid offending local sensibilities or breaking the law.

Moreover, Mumbai operates a relatively conservative society, and respecting local customs and traditions can go a long way in ensuring a smooth experience. Engaging with locals, asking for directions when necessary, and avoiding secluded areas at night are simple yet effective practices to enhance your safety.

Safety in Mumbai isn't about high walls and barbed wires. It's about being street smart, blending with the local culture, and making informed decisions based on reliable information. As you navigate through Mumbai's vibrant streets, remember that awareness and respect for local nuances are your best allies in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

Crime Rates and Statistics

When considering the safety of any city, getting familiar with its crime rates and statistics is crucial. Mumbai, as India's financial and entertainment capital, has its share of criminal activities, but it's important to put these figures into context to get a clear picture of what you're dealing with.

Mumbai's crime rate has seen various ups and downs over the years. To give you an accurate understanding, let's look at some recent figures. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the city witnesses a varied range of crimes, from theft to more severe offenses like assault and robbery.

These statistics might seem daunting at first glance, but it's important to remember that Mumbai is one of the most populous cities globally, which naturally reflects in the number of incidents reported. When compared to the city's vast population, the per capita crime rate is significantly lower than in many other major cities worldwide.

Another aspect to consider is the locality within Mumbai. Certain areas exhibit higher rates of specific crimes, generally tied to nightlife, while residential zones tend to report lower incidents of violent crimes. Knowing which areas to avoid during late hours can greatly reduce your risk of encountering dangerous situations.

Understanding these figures helps in making informed decisions and adopting the right precautions when navigating Mumbai's streets. Always keep in mind, statistics only tell part of the story. Being street smart involves being aware of your surroundings, avoiding risky areas at night, and respecting local customs and laws.

Local Laws and Regulations

When exploring Mumbai, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations to ensure your safety and avoid any legal troubles. Mumbai, being a cosmopolitan city, has a set of rules that might differ significantly from what you're accustomed to in your home country.

Respecting Religious and Cultural Norms is paramount. Mumbai is a melting pot of religions and cultures, and it's essential to dress and behave in a way that respects the local customs. For example, visiting religious sites requires modest attire and, in many places, the removal of shoes.

The Legal Drinking Age in Mumbai is 25, which is strictly enforced. Carrying a valid photo ID is necessary when visiting bars or purchasing alcohol. Moreover, the city has designated dry days, typically on major national holidays and election days, when the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

Smoking Regulations in Mumbai are stringent. Smoking is banned in all public places including restaurants, malls, and public transport. Violating this law can lead to hefty fines.

Traffic laws in Mumbai can appear chaotic to a newcomer. However, there are strict rules in place:

• Wearing seat belts is mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers.
• Helmets are compulsory for all two-wheeler riders.
• Honking in 'Silence Zones' near hospitals and schools can incur fines.

Lastly, it's vital to understand the Laws on Photography . Taking pictures of certain government buildings, military installations, and railway stations without permission is prohibited and can lead to arrest or confiscation of your camera.

By adhering to these laws and guidelines, you can enjoy your time in Mumbai without any unwarranted disruptions. Remember, being informed not only keeps you safe but also helps in fostering mutual respect between you and the local community.

Cultural Norms and Practices

When exploring the question, "Is Mumbai safe?", it's crucial to delve into the cultural norms and practices that govern daily life in this vibrant city. Mumbai, India's melting pot of cultures, religions, and traditions, demands a level of respect and understanding from its visitors to ensure a harmonious experience.

First and foremost, dress codes are implicit yet impactful in Mumbai. While the city is more liberal compared to other parts of India, modest dressing is highly appreciated, especially when visiting religious sites. For women, this means avoiding clothes that are too revealing, and for men, wearing shorts that go below the knee is considered respectful. This practice is not just about blending in; it's about showing respect for local customs and contributing to your safety in crowded areas.

Religious diversity is at the heart of Mumbai’s cultural landscape. With Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism coexisting, you'll encounter various festivals and rituals. Being mindful of these religious practices is paramount. For instance, during Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, it's considerate to avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours in predominantly Muslim neighborhoods.

In terms of social behavior, Mumbaikars value polite conversation and kindness. A simple "Namaste" as a greeting can go a long way in showing respect. Also, be aware that public displays of affection are not as openly accepted in India as they might be in Western countries. Small gestures like handshakes are fine, but it’s best to avoid excessive hugging or kissing in public.

Understanding and adhering to these cultural norms and practices not only ensures your safety but also enriches your travel experience. By respecting local customs, you reduce the likelihood of unintentional offense which is crucial in a city as diverse as Mumbai.

Navigating Mumbai Safely

When planning your trip to Mumbai, it's essential to keep safety at the forefront of your mind. Understanding the local landscape, including both the physical and cultural, plays a critical role in navigating the city safely. Mumbai's vastness and bustling streets can be overwhelming, yet with the right approach, you'll find it both manageable and enjoyable.

Firstly, it's imperative to stay informed about the areas you plan to visit. Mumbai is a city of contrasts, with high-end neighborhoods like Bandra and Colaba known for their safety and affluence, juxtaposed against more challenging areas. Prioritize visiting well-lit and populated areas, especially if you're out at night.

Public transportation is a viable option for getting around Mumbai, with its extensive network of trains, buses, and taxis. However, during your travels, it's crucial to keep a few safety tips in mind:

• Avoid rush hour on local trains, typically between 8-11 AM and 5-8 PM, to escape the overwhelming crowds.
• Opt for prepaid taxis or reputable ride-sharing apps to minimize the risk of overcharging or taking longer routes.

Here are some key statistics that underline the importance of adopting these safety practices:

Being vigilant about your surroundings and personal belongings is another layer of precaution that can't be overstressed. Pickpocketing and scams, though not rampant, do occur, especially in crowded spaces. Always keep your valuables secured and out of sight, and be wary of unsolicited help or too-good-to-be-true offers.

Remember, knowledge is power . By staying informed and adhering to the guidelines mentioned, you empower yourself to experience the vibrant, dynamic city of Mumbai without compromising on safety. Embrace the city’s diversity with confidence, knowing that taking these steps significantly enhances your travel experience.

Navigating Mumbai's vibrant streets and bustling markets safely is entirely possible with the right knowledge and precautions. By staying informed about the areas you plan to visit, choosing transportation wisely, and keeping an eye out for petty crimes, you're setting yourself up for a memorable and secure trip. Remember, understanding the local landscape and cultural nuances plays a crucial role in your overall safety. So, embrace Mumbai's diversity with confidence and respect, knowing you're well-prepared to explore all that this magnificent city has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key safety tips for navigating mumbai.

To safely navigate Mumbai, prioritize well-lit and populated areas, be cautious with public transportation, avoid rush hours, use reputable transportation services, and stay vigilant against pickpocketing. Understanding local culture and remaining aware of your surroundings are vital.

How can I enhance my travel experience in Mumbai?

Enhancing your travel experience in Mumbai involves staying informed about different areas, respecting the city's cultural diversity, and following the safety tips outlined for navigation and interaction with the local environment.

What should I avoid in Mumbai to stay safe?

To stay safe in Mumbai, avoid less populated and poorly lit areas, especially at night. Stay clear of using public transportation during rush hours when possible, and be cautious of petty crimes such as pickpocketing.

Why is understanding the local landscape important in Mumbai?

Understanding the local landscape in Mumbai is crucial for safety and a richer travel experience. It helps you navigate the city more confidently, respect cultural nuances, and identify the best areas to explore while being vigilant of any potential safety risks.

Can I use public transportation safely in Mumbai?

You can use public transportation safely in Mumbai by avoiding rush hour times, opting for reputable services, and remaining vigilant of your surroundings and personal belongings to mitigate risks of petty crimes.

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India Travel Advisory

Travel advisory june 23, 2023, india - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with updates to health information.

Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.

Do not travel to:

• The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest .
• Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict .

Country Summary : Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations.

Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to India.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined India has a moderate level of COVID-19.  Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

If you decide to travel to India:

• Do not travel alone, particularly if you are a woman. Visit our website for Women Travelers .
• Review your personal security plans and remain alert to your surroundings.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report for India.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Avoid all travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Sporadic violence occurs particularly along the Line of Control (LOC) separating India and Pakistan, and in tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government prohibits foreign tourists from visiting certain areas along the LOC.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .

India-Pakistan Border – Level 4: Do Not Travel

India and Pakistan maintain a strong military presence on both sides of the border. The only official India-Pakistan border crossing point for persons who are not citizens of India or Pakistan is in the state of Punjab between Attari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. The border crossing is usually open but confirm the current status of the border crossing prior to commencing travel. A Pakistani visa is required to enter Pakistan. Only U.S. citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise apply for a Pakistani visa in your country of residence before traveling to India.

Northeastern States – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets, occur occasionally in the northeast.

U.S. government employees at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are prohibited from traveling to the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur without special authorization from the U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata.

Central and East India – Level 4: Do Not Travel

Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active in a large swath of India from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal, particularly in rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and on the borders of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Naxalites have conducted frequent terrorist attacks on local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials.

Due to the fluid nature of the threat, all U.S. government travelers to states with Naxalite activity must receive special authorization from the U.S. consulate responsible for the area to be visited. U.S. officials traveling only to the capital cities in these states do not need prior authorization.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas . 

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MOUNTAINS & MAHALS

Is Mumbai Safe in 2024? Best Safety Tips for Travel

Are you planning a trip to india and wondering if mumbai is safe for tourists .

Like most big cities, questions about safety are bound to arise for travelers planning their adventures.

From the public transportation to what you should avoid to what types of food to look out for, this is your guide to help you navigate Mumbai confidently so you have an enjoyable trip!

Is Mumbai Safe: FAQs

Let me answer some frequently asked questions about safety in Mumbai.

Are tourists safe in Mumbai?

Generally yes, tourists are safe in Mumba i. The U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory lists most of India (including Mumbai) as a level 2 for their travel advisory, meaning the city is relatively safe for expats and tourists. This is on a scale of one to four, with 1 being exercise normal precautions, 2 means exercise increased precautions , 3 means reconsider travel, and 4 advises “do not travel.”

Is Mumbai safe for solo travel?

As a solo traveler there is a lot to enjoy in Mumbai as well as all over India. You should take the same precautions in Mumbai that you take as a solo traveler any where in the world.

Is it safe to walk in Mumbai at night?

I would avoid walking alone at night in Mumbai, like in any big city. Depending on the area, you will generally be safe to walk in groups at night in places like Bandra West and South Mumbai (like the neighborhoods of Fort and Colaba).

You should stick to well-lit and busy areas when exploring the city at night . Travel in groups or use ride-hailing services (like Uber or Ola ) for late night travel.

Is Mumbai a safe city?

The Safe City Index (SCI) has ranked Mumbai 50th out of 60 cities. The Safe Cities Index ranks 60 cities across 76 indicators covering digital, health, infrastructure, personal and environmental security . The latest index, published in 2021, ranks Mumbai 2 spots below Delhi at 48th, which is the only other Indian city on the list.

While Mumbai is a major metropolitan it still has a ways to go towards building urban security and safety for its citizens. As a tourist, all the factors ranked by SCI aren’t necessarily top of mind , but the index offers a useful reference for understanding the effectiveness of urban structures in serving the changing needs of cities and their people.

Are there slums in Mumbai?

Mumbai is a city of contrasts, and its impossible to ignore the presence of poverty. Along with the skyscrapers and wealthy neighborhoods, it also has sprawling slums and marginalized communities . The stark disparity between wealth and poverty is a reality that shapes the city.

As travelers, it’s essential to be respectful, sensitive, and compassionate towards the less fortunate . You can offer bottles of water or packaged snacks to beggars if you’re not comfortable giving a little cash.

The slums are an unfortunate reality for many of Mumbai’s residents. About 20% of the city’s population lives below the poverty line.

Dharavi is considered to be one of the world’s largest slums , with an estimated 1,000,000 people living in an area of just over 2.39 square kilometres (0.92 sq mi; 590 acres).

Is Mumbai Safe: Transportation Info

Is it safe to drive in mumbai.

I’d advise against hiring your own car to drive in Mumbai. There are road safety challenges to consider:

• Traffic congestion: Mumbai’s densely populated areas can lead to heavy traffic jams, requiring drivers to exercise caution.
• Road conditions: Some roads in Mumbai may have potholes or uneven surfaces, necessitating careful navigation, especially during the monsoon season.
• Pedestrians and street vendors: The heavy presence of pedestrians and street vendors on the roads requires drivers to be vigilant and exercise caution.
• Rules of the road: While Mumbai is considered to be city where road rules are more adhered to than the rest of the country, you will still see some drivers choosing to ignore road rules in favor of getting where they need to go quicker.

If you do decide to drive your own car, keep in mind that traffic can be chaotic, especially during rush hours, making it essential to be patient and alert .

Is it safe to take the train in Mumbai?

There are a few things to know about public transportation in Mumbai.

Rush hour flows in Mumbai are:

• North to south in the morning (about 7:30am to 11:00am)
• South to North in the evening (about 5:00pm to 9:30pm)

During rush hour times on these routes, I recommend avoiding public transport.

Outside these times, you can enjoy a local train ride. I recommend getting first class tickets, which can be purchased at any railway station either at machines or manned ticket windows. The first class coach will help avoid crowds and can be identified by red stripes on the top of the car.

Any local train in Mumbai will be under $3 USD for a ride, charged by distance.

Are taxis safe in Mumbai?

Black and yellow taxi cabs, lovingly called Kali Peelee (in Hindi, kali = black, peelee = yellow) by locals, are reliable and will always run by meter. Mumbai is one of the only cities in India where both cabs and auto rickshaws are always supposed to be metered . If not, ask the driver to turn on the meter, if they refuse then you can think about taking another cab or approach a nearby traffic cop to assist you.

You can use ride hailing apps like Uber and Ola for more convenience, since the rate is monitored and the driver is provided the destination. Both apps allow you to call either cabs or auto rickshaws.

Are rickshaws safe in Mumbai?

Yes riding in a rickshaw in Mumbai is safe . Most importantly you should ensure the meter is running in the rickshaw so you don’t get over charged.

You can even use Uber to hail rickshaws .

Is Mumbai Safe: Food & Drink

Is street food in mumbai safe to eat.

As a visitor your stomach will not be adjusted to the local bacteria so you need to ensure any street food you try is thoroughly heated to kill bacteria. For this reason I’d avoid cold foods like pani puri from street vendors. Vada pav is usually a safe bet!

If you are a foodie, read more about must try street food in Mumbai here .

Is the water safe to drink in Mumbai?

No, the tap water in Mumbai is not safe for drinking. You should drink bottled water or filtered water from reputable restaurants.

Apartments and homes usually have water purifiers installed in the kitchen for safe drinking water.

10 Tips for Staying Safe in Mumbai

Following some essential safety tips can go a long way in ensuring a safe and memorable trip to Mumbai.

✅ Pay attention to your surroundings. Trust your gut! If something feels off, leave the situation.

✅ Keep belongings and valuable items in a zipped bag or purse on your person. Especially in crowded trains or busy tourist spots.

✅ Stay in tourist friendly areas like South Mumbai or Bandra West , where you can enjoy a walk to see the sights.

✅ At night keep to well-lit and busy areas . Avoid more rural and isolated areas, like Aarey Milk Colony, where it becomes deserted at night.

✅ Avoid traveling on trains during peak rush hours . The overcrowding in the station and on the cars can be quite chaotic.

✅ As always, exercise caution when socializing with strangers and be aware of your alcohol intake. Do not accept drinks from strangers.

✅ It can get very hot , so make sure to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged heat/sun exposure.

✅ Avoid tap water and street food vendors that are using tap water or serving foods that are not thoroughly heated when cooked.

✅ Avoid getting scammed by using reputable travel agents if you need help booking travel on trains or other activities. Do a little research to ensure you’re working with a legitimate service or guide.

✅ If driving yourself, stay patient and alert in traffic to avoid a car accident or road rage incident.

TL;DR: Is Mumbai safe for travelers?

Mumbai is generally considered safe for travelers , but like any major urban center, it has its unique challenges. With a population exceeding 20 million, the city buzzes with activity, and visitors are advised to exercise common sense and caution while exploring.

Having visited Mumbai many times and having lived there for a year I can happily confirm I felt safe during all my time in the city . Here are my recommendations for the top things to do when visiting Mumbai .

• 10 Safety Tips For Tourists...

10 Safety Tips for Tourists Travelling to Mumbai

While it certainly is the ‘City of Dreams’, Mumbai is also a complex, bustling metropolis with a distinct way of life. Visitors may take a while to get used to the city and not be intimidated by its hectic atmosphere. We have compiled this list of ten safety tips for you to make the most of your Mumbai visit, while not risking your health or safety.

Super crowded trains.

Mumbai’s trains are overwhelming, even for locals. They’re severely overcrowded – to the point that a term, ‘super dense crush load’ has been coined to specifically describe how crowded they get. Tourists are generally advised to avoid traveling on the trains during peak hours. If you have a little extra cash to dish out, buy first class tickets instead of the regular ones to access the relatively less crowded and much airier first class compartments. If you are a woman, you may find the exclusively women’s compartment more comfortable, particularly during busy hours.

Pickpockets

South Mumbai’s black and white taxi cabs are almost always metered, unlike autos elsewhere in the city. While most drivers will charge you exactly what the meter reading says and sometimes even forgive you if are short by some change, make sure to check you’re not hopping into an unmetered cab. If so, make sure to negotiate the price. Also, be wary if your cab has additional passengers besides the driver – unless your cab is a shared one.

Negotiating prices

If you are a foreigner, be prepared for vendors at the city’s street side stalls and bazaars to throw exorbitant prices at you – sometimes even for the fun of a good bargain. You are encouraged to negotiate the best you can without insulting vendors. You can always check with a fellow local customer to see if you’re being unreasonably charged.

Traveling at night

While Mumbai truly is India’s city that never sleeps, parts of the city may seem hostile to outsiders after dusk. Women are particularly advised to be careful while traveling in the city at night – though you will see female Mumbaikars traveling alone at night, they are likely much more familiar with the city, its neighborhoods and circumstances. If you are a tourist traveling the city at night, particularly a single woman, stick to the crowded, touristy areas, take precautions and be alert.

Mumbai’s dramatic monsoons come with much need for caution. On one hand, there are train delays, traffic congestion issues and flooded roads. Then there are the spread of various seasonal diseases. Mosquitoes breed at an alarming rate during the monsoons, and diseases such as malaria and dengue fever become quite common. Make sure to wear a mosquito repellent and stay cautious.

Staying alert

As is true for any other city, it helps to be a little wary of people’s intentions if they’re overly inquisitive or friendly. Don’t give out personal details or reveal very specific information about your travel plans. Stay alert and you should be fine.

Street food

Be careful while indulging in street food , particularly if you have a sensitive stomach. As tempting as they may be, chances are they will upset your gut. As one can imagine, street food isn’t always prepared in the most sanitary conditions – which is why even locals don’t always indulge.

When it comes to drinking water, stick to bottled water. Make sure the packaging is intact and that the seal hasn’t been broken. Water at smaller restaurants isn’t always sanitary. While the case is particularly true during monsoons and summer, you are advised to stay wary throughout the year.

Mumbai can get really hot during the summer. Make sure to use sunscreen, stay hydrated and avoid being out in the open for too long.

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Is Mumbai Safe? Your Definitive Safety Guide in 2024

When it comes to safety and security, Mumbai is a city that takes its residents’ and visitors’ well-being seriously. With its robust security measures and a reputation for being one of the safer cities in India , Mumbai ensures that everyone can enjoy their time in the city without compromising their safety.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Mumbai airport has been highly rated for its efficiency in maintaining passenger security and promptness. The survey covered several major airports in India, and passengers flying to and from Mumbai expressed their satisfaction with the security arrangements at the Chhatrapati Shivaji international airport.

The survey also revealed that around 4.91 out of 5 travelers felt safe at the Mumbai airport, and 4.89 passengers were satisfied with the accuracy of security checks and the behavior of CISF officials.

Mumbai takes pride in offering safe areas for residents and visitors alike. Well-known neighborhoods like Bandra, Juhu, Colaba, and Powai are considered to be relatively safe, with a higher level of security and a lower crime rate compared to some other parts of the city. These areas also provide a range of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions for a memorable experience in Mumbai.

To ensure your safety while traveling in Mumbai, it is important to follow some simple yet crucial tips. From safeguarding your belongings to avoiding isolated areas and being cautious in crowded places, these safety measures will help you have a worry-free trip in the city.

Key Takeaways:

• Mumbai airport is highly rated for its security measures and promptness according to a recent survey.
• Well-known neighborhoods like Bandra, Juhu, Colaba, and Powai are considered safe areas in Mumbai .
• Important safety tips include safeguarding your belongings, avoiding isolated areas, and being cautious in crowded places.

Safety Tips for Traveling in Mumbai

When traveling in Mumbai, it is important to follow some safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

• Avoid discussing your travel plans or disclosing how much money you are carrying with strangers. Keep personal information private and only share it with trusted individuals.
• Avoid traveling alone at night. It’s always safer to travel in groups or with a trusted companion, especially during nighttime.
• Hand over your luggage only to trusted individuals. When it comes to handling your belongings, rely on hotel staff or official representatives for assistance.
• Secure your valuables. Keep items like money, passports, and jewelry securely stored in a hotel locker or locked suitcase. Avoid displaying large sums of money in public.
• Use ATMs and credit cards for transactions. Whenever possible, use these alternatives to carrying large amounts of cash.
• Make copies of important documents. Keep duplicates of documents like passports and IDs in a safe location, separate from the originals.
• Consider using a money pouch. A discreet pouch worn underneath your clothing can help keep your valuables safe and secure.

When it comes to food and health:

• Be cautious when eating street food. Ensure that it is freshly prepared and served hot to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.
• Drink bottled water. Opt for sealed bottled water instead of tap water to avoid potential contamination.
• Use insect repellent. Protect yourself against bugs like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks by applying insect repellent before venturing outdoors.

Remember, following these safety tips will help ensure a safe and secure experience while traveling in Mumbai.

“Safety and security don’t just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.” – Nelson Mandela

Mumbai Safety Precautions Checklist:

Safe areas in mumbai.

Mumbai, the bustling city of dreams, offers a mix of safe and not-so-safe areas for residents and visitors alike. To ensure a secure and enjoyable stay, it is advisable to explore well-known and popular neighborhoods such as Bandra, Juhu, Colaba, and Powai. These areas have gained a reputation for being relatively safe, with a higher level of security, well-maintained infrastructure, and a lower crime rate compared to some other parts of the city.

Staying in these secure locales not only provides peace of mind but also offers a range of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions to enhance your Mumbai experience. Whether it’s the iconic Bandra Bandstand, the scenic Juhu Beach, the vibrant Colaba Causeway, or the serene Powai Lake, these neighborhoods have something for everyone.

When choosing accommodations, it is always recommended to stay in trusted hotels that prioritize guest safety. These establishments often have trained security personnel, CCTV surveillance systems, and secure access control measures in place. Additionally, they offer amenities such as in-room safes or hotel lockers where you can store your valuable items.

Avoiding isolated or poorly lit areas, especially at night, is essential to maintain personal safety. It is also advisable to be cautious in crowded places and keep a close eye on your belongings to prevent pickpocketing or theft. By staying in safe areas and being mindful of your surroundings, you can have a pleasant and secure experience in Mumbai.

“Exploring Mumbai’s safe areas allows visitors to enjoy the city’s vibrant culture and attractions without compromising on their personal safety.”

Remember, while these areas are relatively safe, it is important to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions no matter where you are in the city. By adopting a cautious approach and respecting local customs and laws, you can make the most of your time in Mumbai.

Comparison of Safe Areas in Mumbai

Note: The table provides a comparison of safe areas in Mumbai based on their security level, infrastructure, and crime rate. These factors can vary and are subject to change. It is always recommended to refer to the latest information and consult local authorities for updated safety guidelines.

Crime Rate in Mumbai

Mumbai has gained a reputation as one of the safer cities in India, with a relatively low crime rate compared to other major cities. However, it is still important to prioritize personal safety and take necessary precautionary measures when visiting or residing in Mumbai.

The Mumbai Police have implemented various initiatives to enhance security and curb crime rates within the city. These measures include increased patrolling and surveillance in public areas, ensuring the safety of residents and visitors alike.

To minimize the risk of becoming a victim of crime, it is advisable to remain vigilant, particularly in crowded places. Avoid venturing into isolated or poorly lit areas, as these can be potential hotspots for criminal activities.

By following common-sense safety precautions and being mindful of your surroundings, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of encountering any untoward incidents during your time in Mumbai.

In summary, while Mumbai boasts a relatively low crime rate, it is essential to remain cautious and take necessary safety measures. The Mumbai Police’s efforts and increased security measures contribute to maintaining a safe environment within the city.

Staying vigilant and adopting safety-conscious behaviors can ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors in Mumbai.

Health and Hygiene in Mumbai

When it comes to staying safe and healthy in Mumbai, it is important to follow certain precautions. Here are some tips to ensure your well-being during your time in the city.

Safe Drinking Water

Mumbai, like other parts of India, advises against drinking tap water. It is best to opt for bottled water to avoid any potential health risks. Make sure to always check the packaging for a reliable brand before purchasing.

Street Food Precautions

Mumbai is famous for its delicious street food, but it’s important to be cautious when indulging in these culinary delights. To ensure your safety, opt for freshly prepared and hot street food items. Avoid stalls or vendors that don’t adhere to proper food hygiene practices.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

When consuming fruits and vegetables in Mumbai, it is recommended to thoroughly wash them with clean water before consumption. This helps remove any dirt or contaminants that may be present on the surface.

Insect Protection

Mumbai, like many other tropical regions, is prone to mosquitoes and other insects. To protect yourself against insect bites, especially mosquitoes, carry a good quality insect repellent with you. Apply it to exposed areas of your body when necessary.

Medical Facilities and Medications

Mumbai has a range of medical facilities and pharmacies to cater to your healthcare needs. However, it is advisable to carry necessary prescription medications and a basic first-aid kit with you. This ensures you have immediate access to any required medications or supplies.

By following these health and hygiene practices, you can enjoy your time in Mumbai while staying safe and healthy.

Safety Measures at Hotels in Mumbai

Hotels in Mumbai prioritize the safety of their guests and have implemented various security measures to ensure a secure stay. These measures include:

• Trained Security Personnel: Most hotels have well-trained security personnel who are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for guests.
• CCTV Surveillance: Hotels utilize CCTV surveillance systems to monitor public areas and detect any suspicious activities.
• Secure Access Control Systems: Access to hotel premises is controlled through secure systems, ensuring that only authorized individuals can enter.

As part of their security protocols, hotels often request identification from guests and maintain visitor logs. This helps in tracking and identifying individuals within the premises for security purposes.

To provide an additional layer of security, many hotels offer in-room safes or hotel lockers where guests can store their valuable items. It is recommended to utilize these facilities and keep important documents, money, and jewelry securely stored.

When staying at a hotel, it is advisable to follow the specific security guidelines provided by the hotel management. These guidelines may include instructions on keeping doors locked, reporting any suspicious activities, and utilizing additional security features, if available.

In case of any suspicious activities or concerns, it is important to report them to the hotel staff or security personnel immediately. By staying at reputable hotels and following their safety measures, visitors can enjoy a secure and comfortable stay in Mumbai.

Safety Tips for Solo Travelers in Mumbai

Mumbai can be a safe destination for solo travelers if certain precautions are taken. Here are some essential safety tips to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience:

• Research and choose accommodations in safe areas: When traveling solo in Mumbai, it is advisable to stay in well-known neighborhoods or areas that have a reputation for safety. Look for trusted hotels or hostels with good reviews to provide a sense of security during your stay.
• Inform someone you trust: Before embarking on your solo travel adventure in Mumbai, make sure to inform a family member or friend about your travel plans and itinerary. This way, someone will be aware of your whereabouts and can help raise an alarm if needed.
• Avoid isolated or poorly lit areas: Particularly at night, it’s crucial to steer clear of isolated or poorly lit areas in Mumbai. Stick to well-populated and well-lit streets, and if you need to get to a specific location, consider utilizing transportation services like taxis or ride-sharing apps instead of walking alone.
• Be cautious when interacting with strangers: While exploring Mumbai, be mindful when approached by strangers. Avoid disclosing personal information or travel plans to individuals you don’t know well. Trust your instincts and prioritize your safety at all times.

By following these safety tips, solo travelers can navigate Mumbai with confidence and enjoy all the city has to offer.

“Solo travel can be a transformative experience, and Mumbai offers unique opportunities for exploration. By staying alert, making informed choices, and taking necessary precautions, solo travelers can feel safe in this vibrant city.” – Traveler’s Insight Magazine

Safety and Security Services in Mumbai

Mumbai prioritizes the safety and security of its residents and visitors by offering a range of comprehensive security services. These services, provided by both public and private entities, ensure the well-being of individuals and contribute to maintaining law and order in the city.

Mumbai Police

The Mumbai Police plays a crucial role in maintaining safety and security. With a strong presence throughout the city, they are responsible for combating crime, enforcing the law, and protecting citizens. The Mumbai Police have implemented various initiatives to address specific safety concerns, such as deploying helplines and establishing dedicated police stations for women’s safety.

Private Security Agencies

In addition to the Mumbai Police, several private security agencies operate in the city. These agencies offer a wide range of services including manned guarding, CCTV surveillance, and access control systems. They provide security solutions to businesses, residential complexes, and events, ensuring a safe environment for all.

Emergency Services

Mumbai has a well-developed network of emergency services that are available around the clock. Ambulance services, hospitals, and fire stations are strategically located throughout the city, ensuring a prompt response in case of any emergencies. This comprehensive emergency network provides residents and visitors with peace of mind, knowing that help is readily available when needed.

By utilizing these safety and security services, individuals in Mumbai can feel safe and protected during their time in the city. Whether it’s the presence of dedicated law enforcement, the expertise of private security agencies, or the accessibility of emergency services, Mumbai prioritizes the well-being of its residents and visitors.

Safety Precautions for Female Travelers in Mumbai

Mumbai is considered to be relatively safe for female travelers compared to some other Indian cities. However, it is important for female travelers to take certain precautions to ensure their safety.

Dress modestly and respect local customs to avoid unwanted attention. It is advisable to travel in groups or with trusted companions , especially at night. Using transportation services like taxis or ride-sharing apps is a safer option compared to walking alone, particularly during late hours.

Female travelers should be cautious when interacting with strangers and avoid sharing personal information or travel plans. By following these safety precautions, female travelers can have a secure and comfortable experience in Mumbai.

Mumbai, with its implemented security measures and lower crime rate compared to other major Indian cities, is generally a safe destination for residents and visitors. By taking necessary safety precautions, such as avoiding isolated areas , following hygiene practices , and staying in reputable accommodations , visitors can have a safe and enjoyable experience in Mumbai.

It is always important to stay vigilant and be mindful of your surroundings, but with the right precautions , Mumbai can provide a secure environment for travelers. The city offers a range of safe areas to explore, such as Bandra, Juhu, Colaba, and Powai, where visitors can enjoy well-maintained infrastructure and a lower incidence of crime.

Additionally, following safety tips like avoiding discussing travel plans with strangers, securing valuables, and being cautious with street food consumption can contribute to a safe and healthy stay in Mumbai. It is also reassuring to know that the city has a robust security infrastructure in place, with services from the Mumbai Police, private security agencies, and emergency response teams.

In conclusion, Mumbai’s commitment to security, implemented safety measures, and lower crime rate make it a safe destination for travelers. With the right precautions and awareness, visitors can experience a pleasant and secure time in this vibrant city.

Is Mumbai a safe city?

Mumbai is generally considered to be a safe city. It has implemented robust security measures and has a lower crime rate compared to other major Indian cities. However, it is always important to take necessary safety precautions and remain vigilant.

What are some safety tips for traveling in Mumbai?

When traveling in Mumbai, it is important to avoid discussing your travel plans or disclosing how much money you are carrying with strangers. Avoid traveling alone at night and only hand over your luggage to trusted individuals. Keep valuables securely stored and avoid displaying large sums of money in public. Make copies of important documents and consider using a money pouch. Exercise caution when eating street food and drink bottled water. Use insect repellent to protect against bugs.

Which areas in Mumbai are considered safe?

Well-known neighborhoods such as Bandra, Juhu, Colaba, and Powai are considered relatively safe in Mumbai. These areas have a higher level of security, well-maintained infrastructure, and a lower crime rate compared to other parts of the city.

What is the crime rate like in Mumbai?

Mumbai has a relatively low crime rate compared to other major cities in India. However, it is still important to remain cautious and take necessary safety measures, especially in crowded places and at night.

What health and hygiene precautions should I take in Mumbai?

In Mumbai, it is important to drink bottled water, be cautious when eating street food, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes and other insects. Carry necessary prescription medications and a basic first-aid kit.

How safe are hotels in Mumbai?

Hotels in Mumbai prioritize guest safety and have implemented various security measures such as trained security personnel, CCTV surveillance, and secure access control systems. It is recommended to use in-room safes or hotel lockers to store valuable items

Are solo travelers safe in Mumbai?

Mumbai can be a safe destination for solo travelers if certain precautions are taken. It is advisable to choose accommodations in safe areas, avoid isolated or poorly lit areas, and use transportation services instead of walking alone late at night.

What safety and security services are available in Mumbai?

Mumbai has a robust security infrastructure, including the Mumbai Police responsible for maintaining law and order. Private security agencies provide additional security services to businesses and residents. Emergency services like ambulance services, hospitals, and fire stations are available.

How safe is Mumbai for female travelers?

Mumbai is considered relatively safe for female travelers compared to some other Indian cities. It is important for female travelers to dress modestly, travel in groups or with trusted companions, and use transportation services instead of walking alone at night.

Is Mumbai a safe city for residents and visitors?

Mumbai is generally a safe city for both residents and visitors. By taking necessary safety precautions and being mindful of their surroundings, visitors can have a safe and enjoyable experience in Mumbai.

Source Links

• https://www.frommers.com/destinations/india/planning-a-trip/health–safety
• https://www.enchantingtravels.com/destinations/india/is-india-safe/
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/mumbai-airport-review-passengers-rate-it-the-safest-airport-in-india/articleshow/61687788.cms

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Travelling to Mumbai? Check new rules for international flyers here

Amid the surge in the covid-19 cases, the brihanmumbai municipal corporation (bmc) has issued new covid guidelines for international travelers..

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With the rise in the Covid-19 cases in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued fresh guidelines for international travellers arriving at the Mumbai Airport. As per the new guidelines, international passengers will have to undergo rapid RT-PCR tests at the airport.

Some new guidelines issued for international passengers:

1: The guidelines which came into effect on Monday revealed that passengers have to wait at the airport for a routine RT-PCR test if he/she tests positive for a rapid RT-PCR test.

2: All the international passengers who will test negative for the rapid RT-PCR tests will be asked to remain in home quarantine for the next seven days.

3: If a person tests positive and is symptomatic, he/she will be admitted to Seven Hills Hospital.

4: If the passenger wants, he/she will be transferred to Bombay Hospital or Breach Candy Hospital.

5: The samples of positive patients will be sent for Genome Sequencing.

An official from BMC revealed, "For asymptomatic covid positive passengers, those who can’t pay can be shifted in BKC and Kanjurmarg Jumbo Centers and for those who can pay they can stay in a list of hotels given by the BMC."

READ| Indian-origin man alleges Covid testing at Mumbai airport 'scam' to mint money | VIDEO Published By: Shruti Niraj Published On: Jan 5, 2022 --- ENDS ---

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Tips on Mumbai Warnings or Dangers- Stay Safe!

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Mumbai Warnings and Dangers

Mumbai is the largest city in India. Before you travel to Mumbai, do your research and learn how to stay safe in one of the most bustling metro areas in Asia.

While you may think you’re a good driver, you’ve never driven in Mumbai. It’s a whole different story here, with buses, motorcycles, cars, and mopeds crowding the streets at all times. If you’re able to, take a cab. If this isn’t an option, search for a local bus to find your way around town. Most foreigners who decide to drive in Mumbai find themselves frustrated, lost, or both.

If you’re not taking a prepaid or metered taxi, make sure you negotiate the price before you leave for your destination. Many locals and informed tourists take the trains to avoid the traffic on the streets. However, the trains carry their own dangers. They’re often overcrowded and women who choose to purchase a general/men’s compartment ticket can be at risk. If you’re a woman, consider spending a little more for a women’s compartment ticket or a first class ticket. While the train can be scary, it’s usually on time and it’s a fairly quick way to get around the city.

Mumbai sits on the Arabian Sea and is in the tropical zone. As a result, the climate can be dangerous, especially during certain times of the year. The Monsoon Season typically lasts from June to September. Unless you’re comfortable with rain and possible flooding, it’s probably a good idea to visit outside of this time. The summer months, usually from March to May can be extremely warm and humid. Most locals and tourists agree that the best months to visit Mumbai are from October to February.

As in any large city around in the world, tourists must be wary of criminals. From the crowded side streets of the city to the beach resorts, tourists are often robbed and pick-pocketed. Always be on alert for possible thieves and keep your belongings close to your body at all times. Around the airports criminals can target women, often grabbing their purses, bags, and cell phones and then riding off on bicycles.

Fortunately, violence against tourists is rare. You’re much more likely to be overcharged by a taxi cab driver than physically attacked by a criminal. You may think that avoiding dense, busy streets will decrease your chances of being the victim of a crime, but the opposite is actually true. Many people are robbed within the city, but many more are victims of crimes in less populated areas, like the suburbs and beaches, especially at night. If you stay in public places and keep a watchful eye on your surroundings, but don’t be overly paranoid, and your trip to Mumbai will be one to remember.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Safety and security

Read this guidance alongside FCDO’s overall travel advice and warnings for India.

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on  staying safe abroad  and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out  how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .

Terrorism in India

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in India.

There is a heightened risk of terrorism in some Indian regions. Read  our advice on regional risks in India for more information.

Terrorist and insurgent groups operating in India include:

• Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LET), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) in Kashmir
• Naxalite (radical communist insurgent) groups active in India’s eastern states
• Khalistani extremists operating mainly in Punjab
• Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL), Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), and other groups may also be planning attacks

Terrorist attacks have mainly targeted Government of India interests. Security has been strengthened, notably at major hotels and transport hubs. However, terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreign nationals, such as:  

• restaurants, hotels, bars, and markets
• stations and airports
• places of worship and tourist attractions
• festivals, sports venues, and beaches

Take particular care during periods of national or religious significance, such as:

• Republic Day (26 January)
• Independence Day (15 August)
• Diwali (usually in October or November)
• Eid (date changes each year)

Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Political situation

General elections will take place between 19 April and 1 June. Results will be announced on 4 June.  Political rallies and public meetings will continue to occur across the country during this time. Exercise caution around large gatherings. Follow updates in the local media and the advice of local authorities.

Strikes (sometimes referred to as ‘bandh’ or ‘hartal’), political rallies and demonstrations occur frequently and can become violent. The risks are higher during elections and after the death of party or government leaders. Protests may also occur at short notice, especially around days of national importance. Local authorities may impose curfews and other restrictions at short notice. Transport and public services including mobile and internet network coverage may be disrupted at short notice.

You should:

• avoid protests and be cautious around large gatherings, including at religious sites, sports stadiums and shopping centres
• follow the advice of the local authorities and your travel company
• monitor local media and follow any curfew restrictions

If you’re the victim of crime, call Police helpline number 100 or National Emergency Number 112 and ask for police assistance.

India’s Women Helpline Number is 1091.

Protecting your belongings

Keep a copy of your passport, visa, and flight ticket separately from originals when travelling. Leave copies at home where others can access them, and also store them electronically so you can access them easily. If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the police immediately and get a police report.

Take particular care of your possessions on buses, trains and in crowds. Criminals may ride past on motorbikes and snatch valuables.

Be cautious in tourist areas, where scammers, pickpockets and ticket touts target foreigners.

Cybercrime, internet scamming, card skimming, and confidence scams are common. These scams come in many forms and can pose great financial loss for the victims.

Criminals often use the details of British High Commissions and embassies to carry out their fraud. Be cautious and check the authenticity of details before responding.

Drink and food spiking

As in the UK, be wary of accepting drinks or food from strangers or of leaving drinks unattended. There have been reports of spiked drinks and food, with travellers, including British nationals, subsequently being robbed, or assaulted.

Sexual assault

Sexual assaults occur. This includes attacks on foreign female visitors in tourist areas and cities.

Female travellers often experience verbal and physical harassment by individuals or groups of men. Serious sexual attacks involving both Indian and foreign nationals have been reported. British women have been victims of sexual assault, including rape, in Goa, Delhi, Rajasthan, Mumbai and Kerala. Avoid isolated areas, including beaches, when alone at any time of day.

Read our advice for women travelling abroad .

Laws and cultural differences

There may be serious legal penalties for doing something which may not be illegal in the UK.

Women travelling in India should respect local customs and dress codes.

Alcohol laws and bans

Laws on alcohol, including buying, drinking and the legal drinking age, vary by state. Get advice from your travel agent, hotel, or the authorities about the laws in areas you are visiting.

It is an offence to drink alcohol in public places, such as public parks.

In some states, foreign nationals and non-resident Indians can buy 30-day alcohol permits.

There is often a ban on the sale of alcohol during major religious festivals, national holidays, and elections.

The consumption, production or transportation of alcohol is banned in:

• the region of Lakshadweep

If you drink or possess alcohol in these states, you could be arrested without bail. Charges can carry a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years.

Smoking and e-cigarette bans

Smoking is banned in most public places. You should only smoke in designated smoking areas.

E-cigarettes and related products are banned. You will be unable to buy e-cigarettes in India or bring them into the country.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Do not get involved with any illegal drugs. Drugs are not categorised as they would be in the UK, into Class A, B and C. There is a minimum sentence of 6 months for possession of small amounts deemed for personal consumption only. A 10-year sentence for possession of other amounts applies. The judicial process is slow and being detained for several years whilst your case is processed is normal.

Using cameras and binoculars in secure areas

Activities involving cameras and binoculars, like photography, bird-watching, or plane spotting, may be misunderstood. Be particularly careful near military sites, government buildings, airports, and railway stations.

Swimming safety

Every year, several people drown due to strong currents in the sea. There are strong currents off many coasts. Most beaches do not have warning signs, flags, or lifesaving equipment. Take local advice, follow warnings and instructions issued by lifeguards. Emergency service standards may differ from those in the UK.

Trekking in India

Trekkers should:

• travel in groups
• use reputable local guides and stay on established routes
• check if you need any special permits

Leave details of where you’re going and when you expect to return with your accommodation. You are extremely unlikely to have a phone signal in the mountains, so make sure your accommodation provider registers your whereabouts using the online C-form .

It is illegal to possess or operate satellite phones without prior permission of the Indian authorities.

The following hazards exist throughout the year, especially above 3,000 metres (m):

• altitude sickness - see our advice on Health in India
• sudden weather changes, including thunderstorms
• avalanches and snow drifts
• landslides, flooding, and rock falls

Make sure your insurance policy covers you for altitudes over 2,400m and mountain rescue and helicopter costs.

There are no commercial mountain rescue services operating above 3,000m. In some border areas only the Indian Air Force can carry out air rescues. However, they are under no obligation to perform them and only carry out rescues during working hours.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in India. However same-sex marriage is still illegal. Indian society remains conservative. This includes attitudes to LGBT+ people, which can be less accepting than in the UK. There is a risk of harassment and discrimination, especially outside of big cities.

Showing affection in public can receive unwanted attention.

Read our advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Child custody and family law

Indian family law is very different from UK law. Special caution is needed when child custody becomes an issue. In case of dispute, consult a local lawyer to find out more about the relevant laws.

Commercial surrogacy is illegal for foreign nationals in India. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) can seek legal guidance on surrogacy if at least one partner is an Indian passport holder.

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill, or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. India has a strong legal framework to regulate and restrict wildlife trade and is also a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). If you’re caught purchasing or trafficking such goods illegally, you will be prosecuted and receive a prison sentence or fine.

Sexual offences against children

The penalties for child sex offences are severe. There is a minimum jail term of 20 years, which may go up to life imprisonment, or a death sentence for those convicted of raping a child aged under 12.

Transport risks in India

Be wary of unofficial transport at airports.

British tourists have been scammed by drivers who offer cheap transportation or hotels, unwanted tours, and extended taxi rides. Travellers who accept these offers have reported being threatened with violence when they have declined to pay.

Taxis and rickshaws

When using taxis or rickshaws:

• avoid travelling alone and hailing taxis on the street, especially at night
• use official taxi ranks. Pre-paid taxi services are available from inside all airport terminal buildings and many hotels offer transfers. Ride-hailing services like Uber and Ola are also widely available in India
• if you’re being collected at the airport by a hotel driver, make sure they properly identify themselves before you set off
• if you book a taxi online, there’s usually a way to share journey details with your contacts who can then follow your location

Cars and motorbikes

Road accidents including car and motorbike accidents are one of the biggest causes of injury and death overseas. Police figures estimate more than 150,000 people are killed every year in road accidents across India. Several British nationals are either injured or killed each year on Indian roads.

Road traffic hazards include:

• reckless driving and manoeuvring
• poorly maintained vehicles
• poor quality and congested roads
• roads shared with pedestrians, carts, cattle and other livestock
• vehicles running red lights
• protests - see our advice on the Political Situation in India
• extreme weather and natural disasters - see our advice on Extreme weather in India

Driving in India

If you are planning to drive in India, see information on driving abroad .

You can drive with a UK licence and an accompanying international driving permit after you arrive, but rules on how long you can drive on a UK licence vary from state to state.

Driving can be dangerous in urban and rural areas due to wandering livestock, including cows. Cows are considered sacred in India and road accidents involving cows can draw crowds or potentially lead to violence. If you are involved in a road accident, you may be attacked or become a victim of extortion, even if you were not driving the vehicle. If you hit a cow or pedestrian, you should comply with the police if they are at the scene. If the police are not present, it could be unsafe to remain at the scene of an accident of this nature, if safe to do so you may prefer to find the nearest police station.

It is common to use your horn or flash your headlights frequently to announce your presence on the road.

If possible, avoid travelling at night and in fog as accidents are common due to low visibility and there is a higher risk of crime at night. Always travel in a well-maintained vehicle. Seatbelts are not common in three-wheel taxis (autos) or in the back seats of taxis. Try to use only cars that have seatbelts.

If you travel by motorbike, wear a helmet and proper footwear.

Buses are a convenient mode of transport, serving almost every city across India. However, they are often driven fast and recklessly. Accidents are common.

Vehicles drive on the left in India. Pedestrians should exercise caution when crossing streets, even in marked pedestrian areas and especially at night, as vehicles sometimes drive on the wrong side of the road.

When you are travelling through an airport, allow enough time to complete check-in and security procedures, as your baggage may need to go through screening equipment and checks.  Allow time for transiting between flights if you need to change from international terminals to domestic terminals, even if using the airport shuttle service.

Tourists flying on charter flights booked through a tour operator can only fly into and out of the country by using the services of the same charter operator. Chartered flight passengers are not permitted to fly on inward or outward journeys using a scheduled airline.

Rail travel

India has a large passenger train network throughout the country. Although train travel in India is generally safe, accidents do occur and have previously resulted in death and serious injury. There are police or guards on trains and stations if you need help.

When travelling by train:

• do not accept food or drinks from strangers
• thefts are common - take care of your passport and valuables
• avoid people at railway stations offering tickets and tours as you may be scammed

Tourist boats and other small crafts rarely carry life-saving equipment.

Although piracy has not so far affected India’s territorial waters, it poses a significant threat in parts of the Indian Ocean. Mariners should follow shipping industry guidelines on precautions to take.

Ships and crew must have the necessary authorisation and paperwork before entering Indian territorial waters and abide by Indian laws and regulations. If carrying weapons on board ships in Indian territorial waters, you must follow Indian laws and regulations.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

India can experience extreme weather events that can be hazardous to life and disrupt infrastructure, including buildings, roads, and communications.

Plan your travel so that you are aware of seasonal weather events, such as monsoon rains, as well as what to do if there is a natural disaster.  Follow the advice of local authorities and your travel company. Consult the  Indian Meteorological Department  for local and international weather updates .

Highest risk: June to October

Monsoon rains can cause:

• flooding and landslides, sometimes leading to significant loss of life
• towns and villages to be cut off for days
• serious disruption to road and train travel
• disruption in big cities due to flooding
• other services including telephone lines, internet services and electricity supply to be affected

Cyclones and tropical storms

Highest risk:

• East coast of India (September to December)
• Bay of Bengal (April to June and September to December)
• South India (June to November)

Tropical cyclones can cause:

• high winds: buildings can be damaged or destroyed, trees, power and telephone lines toppled, flying debris can be dangerous
• storm surges: can provoke a temporary rise in sea level of several metres which can flood coastal areas and damage buildings on the shoreline
• very heavy rainfall: this can cause localised or widespread flooding and mudslides

See our advice on Extreme weather and natural hazards for more information .

Earthquakes

Several parts of India lie on highly active fault zones (including areas of the North and North-east). The most active are along the length of the Himalayas. Earth tremors are common in these regions and can cause landslides. Limited emergency response vehicles, equipment, and medical facilities could increase the impact an earthquake has.

Check you know what to do before, during and after an earthquake (US government site) .

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• Destinations

17 Things to Know Before You Travel to Mumbai

Getting ready to travel to Mumbai? These tips will help you feel comfortable and prepared to visit the lively, bustling city and have a great trip!

If you’ve never visited India, there are a few things to know before you travel to Mumbai that will help you out! The city is huge, beautiful, chaotic, and unlike any other place in the world.

Out of the major cities in India, Mumbai is honestly one of the best places to visit. I may be biased (surely I am) because I lived there for 6 years and it stole my heart. 

But before I went to Mumbai, I really didn’t know what to expect, but I had a million questions.

This post has all you need to know to be ready for your trip, from what to wear to how to get around, to the very basics like money and food. These tips will help prepare you for the shock, confusion, and excitement that you’re bound to experience in the city!

This post is all about things to know before you travel to Mumbai.

Tips for Your Travel to Mumbai!

#1 it’s safe, even for women.

This is one of the most common questions about traveling to India in general. Mumbai is completely safe for travelers! If you travel to Mumbai you’ll see it’s relatively progressive compared to other parts of the country. 

Of course, you’ll want to exercise basic common sense safety like you would in any new place or even your hometown. But you’re not going to get mugged or probably even pick-pocketed.

While it’s safe, there are some things to expect if you’re a woman. Mainly you can expect men to stare (and there are a lot of men). You might come across some creepy guys who might say hi or try to talk to you. Of course that doesn’t mean bad things don’t happen, but it is overall quite safe. In my 6 years of living there I’ve never had any threatening situation.

#2 You don’t have to dress SO conservatively (like you might have read online) when you travel to Mumbai

Contrary to what you might hear about India, you can dress quite freely as a woman when you travel to Mumbai. I would still recommend pants over booty shorts, and if you’re visiting conservative areas then it’s better not to wear anything too low-cut.

But in general, dress what makes you feel comfortable. My go-to look is jeans and a tank top. Most women wear pants rather than shorts in general. When my mom came to visit on two occasions, she always wore sleeveless summer dresses (she really didn’t like the heat) but she always felt comfortable fitting in.

If you’re going for a night out in Bandra West or in South Mumbai, you’ll see a lot of people with great fashion and all types of outfits.

#3 There’s many options for transportation and it’s super easy to get around the city

Seriously, it’s easy to get around Mumbai in terms of finding transportation. There are rickshaws, cabs, Uber, buses and trains. They are all quite cheap too.

I recommend downloading Uber or Ola (similar to Uber). It’s easy because you can put your location and exactly where you want to go. They can carry a group of people unlike rickshaws. Another plus is that you can enjoy the AC and avoid the heat or pollution from outside the car. The drivers often know English too so it makes communication easier.

There are also regular taxi cabs. If you’re staying or visiting in South Mumbai then these will be common. Don’t negotiate any price (they will rip you off), all cab drivers use meters so ask the driver to turn it on and go by that price.

Buses and trains are also available. To be honest in all my years of living in Mumbai, I never took a bus. But if you’re adventurous and want to try it out then totally go for it! Trains are nice if you are traveling far, don’t want to spend much money, and want to avoid traffic. 

Rickshaws are also very common, cheap, and quick to use. This was my main source of transportation while living in Mumbai. You can even get rickshaws through Uber and Ola apps which is nice because you can put your exact drop off location.

A last note, you could rent a car or scooty (moped), but that’s a terrible idea unless you have visited Mumbai before and understand how to navigate the chaos.

#4 Tips for riding in Rickshaws

If you travel to Mumbai, you have to take a rickshaw at least once for the experience! But in general they are efficient and cheap to get around. Just note that rickshaws do not travel in South Mumbai.

When taking a rickshaw, always use the meter! In Mumbai the rickshaws always use the meter (this isn’t always true for other places in India).

Especially as a foreigner, they might try to bargain a price, but all rickshaws use meters and are just trying to fool you. I didn’t know this when I went in my first rickshaw and I paid 500 INR to go 5 minutes away, it would’ve really been less than 30 INR. Lesson learned LOL.

Most likely the rickshaw driver won’t know English, so here are the most basic words to help you out. You’ll need to tell the driver the general area or well-known landmark of where you want to go, or else follow directions on your phone.

Meter se (pronounced ‘say’) = by the meter… if they are trying to tell you a price, you can say “meter se” Left leylo (pronounced ‘lay-low’) = turn left Right leylo = turn right Bus = stop

#5 Traffic is wild and pedestrians don’t have the right of way

In a city with over 20 million people, traffic is no joke! When you travel to Mumbai you’ll see driving unlike anywhere else. It really feels like there are no traffic rules, but somehow it all works out.

Of course traffic can be heavy, especially during rush hour times and monsoon season. Otherwise, it’s all part of the journey. Because there’s so much traffic, you should never reach your arm or hand out of the vehicle. They go so close to each other you really could get hurt.

One of the most important notes for travelers: pedestrians don’t have the right of way! I think this is so important to say because it’s different from what we are used to in the US. Always be watching when you cross a street and never expect anyone to stop for you.

#6 You will see poverty when you travel to Mumbai

While this can be true in many big cities around the world, it can still be overwhelming. If it’s your first time to travel to Mumbai or India, then just be prepared that the poverty you see is different than what you might’ve ever witnessed in the US.

While it is definitely sad and eye-opening to see, it’s also part of life in Mumbai. Be prepared to have beggars approach you while in the car or going out, it’s easy to keep 10 rupee notes to give if you wish to.

#7 You can find all types of food and drinks (yes, you can totally drink alcohol and the nightlife in Mumbai is great!)

The food in Mumbai is amazing and there are a million options! You can find all types of international cuisines. There are popular American fast food and pizza chains as well. In case you are craving some western dishes, they are super easy to find.

You can easily order food to your doorstep through apps like Zomato and Swiggy. So if you plan to order-in, download these. They deliver groceries and miscellaneous things you might need too.

Drinking alcohol is also completely allowed and there are a ton of cute restaurants and bars to serve drinks. The nightlife is great if you like to party and even if you don’t, it’s easy to find a drink to go along with dinner. They are even starting to get some breweries around the city! 

There are also liquor stores, known as wine shops, where you can buy alcohol. They generally close by 11pm. There are also dry days on holidays where wine shops and restaurants won’t serve alcohol.

#8 Drink bottled or filtered water

This is pretty straight forward, but don’t drink from the tap. You can also buy large containers of water that you can keep at your hotel/stay and use to refill your water bottle so you aren’t wasting so much plastic.

#9 It’s worth trying the street food!

Honestly there is some seriously delicious street food and you don’t want to miss out! If you’re not sure if a place is clean or safe, I recommend looking for places that have a crowd of people eating there already.

It is true that at some point on your trip to India, you’ll experience the infamous stomach issues and diarrhea. But honestly, I think that’s just kind of inevitable and shouldn’t deter you from trying street food!

#10 You won’t swim in the sea when you travel to Mumbai, but the coastline is beautiful

Once you travel to Mumbai, this might seem kind of obvious, but don’t swim in the sea. It’s not very clean to swim in and aside from that, there’s lots of jellyfish.

It is totally worth going for a walk along the coast though or sitting to see the sunset! Most of the popular beaches like Chowpatty and Marine Drive, Carter Road, and Juhu Beach are very upbeat and lively.

I do have one friend who used to go swimming regularly in the sea and always took deworming pills to do so. So if you are an avid swimmer and really want to, then it is possible.

#11 Be prepared to bargain and expect to get ripped off

It’s normal for even locals to bargain, but as a foreigner you will be a prime target for sellers to make money. If you are shopping for things like clothes or souvenirs, or mostly anything from the street, don’t ever accept the price they give.

Expect them to charge you something ridiculously high (and honestly, compared to shopping in the US, the price might even seem reasonable to you). My general rule of thumb is to counter-bargain 50% of whatever their original price is and go from there.

It can be hard to bargain as a foreigner because chances are, you don’t know what a reasonable price would be. In established stores with price tags though, you won’t need to bargain (for example, a mall or a proper store in a building).

Fruits and vegetable stalls can be hard to tell because some people will be honest but others might try to rip you off, and it’s all relatively cheap compared to the US. I usually just accept whatever they say in this case, although I’m sure I’ve gotten fooled at times. But otherwise anything in a market or sold on the street, be ready to negotiate a price.

#12 Mumbai has endless options for accommodation

There are budget hostels, Airbnbs, luxurious hotels. When you travel to Mumbai you can really find any kind of accommodation to fit your budget and style. You can travel to Mumbai and hardly spend any money if you’re trying to keep a tight budget, or you can indulge in all sorts of luxurious activities.

#13 Many people know English

While language can sometimes be a barrier, it is extremely easy to find anyone who speaks English. If you’re having trouble communicating with someone, want directions or need help in a situation, you can simply ask around and people will help you.

#14 Expect to be stared at when you travel to Mumbai

All the stares! Unlike in the U.S. where it would be considered rude to stare at someone, that doesn’t hold up in India. You will stand out as a foreigner and be prepared that some people will watch you. It can be uncomfortable to experience.

 It’s possible that you may even get asked for a selfie because of the way you look as a foreigner.

#15 Wifi is usually available everywhere, but you can get a SIM

Most restaurants, cafes and hotels will all have wifi. It’s very easy to get a SIM card though if you want service 24/7. You can get a SIM card at the Mumbai airport when you land, or stop at a service shop like Jio, Airtel or Vodafone to get one.

Depending what plan you get, expect to pay around $5-8 USD. I wouldn’t pay more than $10 for one or else they are ripping you off, unless you are getting a plan to cover your travel for several weeks/months.

#16 You can pay with cards or cash, or make your life easy with Google Pay

If you are at a market or shopping from street vendors, cash could be necessary as they wouldn’t likely accept cards. GPay is super convenient to use because most people, even rickshaws nowadays, accept GPay (you need internet and a SIM card to use this app).

Restaurants, cafes and hotels will all accept cards typically. And as a side note, you do not need to tip! Most places include a 10% service charge in your bill and it’s not expected you leave anything else.

#17 Check the weather before you travel to Mumbai and pack accordingly

June – September: Monsoon season, so know that it’s probably going to rain a lot every single day.  October – February: The ideal weather. Still warm, but considered winter and the coolest time to visit. March – May: H-O-T. It gets really hot before the rain comes, so be ready. Average daily temperatures will be around 90F and the air is mostly still which just makes it feel hotter.

Be prepared to travel to Mumbai depending on the time of year you go!

This post was all about things to know before you travel to Mumbai.

With these tips, you’ll be ready to travel to Mumbai! Be sure to check out these 15 unique things to do in the city for an amazing trip! You can expect to be overwhelmed but in a once-in-a-lifetime-experience type of way that you’ll never forget. It’s a vibrant city with a million different things to do and the people are kind and helpful.

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Mumbai - What to Know Before You Go

Quick facts, where is mumbai, mumbai vs bombay.

• What Makes Mumbai Special

Mumbai History

• Top 7 Attractions
• Take a 2-Day Guided Tour

Mumbai Culture

When to visit mumbai, mumbai costs, mumbai safety, how to reach mumbai.

Mumbai is India's largest financial center and the city of hopes and dreams. To learn more about Mumbai before you visit, we've put together this travel guide that includes everything you need to know about the city from its history and culture to its location in Maharashtra on the Arabian Sea.

In this article, we will also explore what makes Mumbai special, Mumbai vs Bombay, safety, and travel costs.

To get more information, keep reading or reach out to one of our  professional travel advisors .

• Mumbai is located in Maharashtra and is an island city on the west coast of India.
• Mumbai is most famous for being one of India's largest and most crowded cities as well as being the home of Bollywood.
• Top attractions in Mumbai include the Gateway of India, Crawford Market, Kala Ghoda, Marine Drive, the Elephanta Caves, and Banganga Tank.
• To see all the top attractions in Mumbai, plan on spending around 2 days in the city.
• Mumbai is a safe and affordable destination to travel to.

Mumbai is located in the state of Maharashtra which is on the west coast of India bordering the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is around 1400 kilometers and a 25-hour drive from Delhi.

The city is made from seven separate islands that were joined together over time.

Mumbai is located near the Western Ghats which is a large mountain range that runs down the west coast of India. Most of the city is at sea level and the highest point is in Sanjay Gandhi National Park at a height of 450 meters.

Due to its location in west-central India, Mumbai experiences a tropical climate with humid and hot weather for most of the year.

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The city of Mumbai was called Bombay until 1995 . Today, the names Bombay and Mumbai are often used interchangeably even by those who live there.

Even though Bombay is still used, the name Bombay does have a negative connotation as this was what the city was called under British colonial rule. The city is believed to have been called Bombay because that was the British pronunciation of the original Portuguese name Bom Baia, meaning beautiful bay.

Even after British rule had ended, Mumbai kept the name Bombay until 1995 when the local Shiv Sena party took power. They viewed the name as a symbol of continued British influence and changed it to Mumbai to reflect the local Marathi culture.

The name Mumbai was chosen to honor Mumbadevi who is the patron goddess of the city. Some people also believe that Mumbai was actually the city's original name before it was colonized.

Changing the names of cities in India from their British colonial names back to their original Indian names is not unique to Mumbai. In fact, cities all over India have changed their names such as Calcutta to Kolkata and Cochin to Kochi.

What Makes Mumbai Special?

Mumbai is unique for many reasons. One major reason is that it is the largest city in India with a population of 21 million people and contains some of the country's wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods. It is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world.

Mumbai is also the home of Bollywood , India's largest film industry that produces most of the country's world-famous movies such as Dangal and 3 Idiots. This is the city where artists and performers come looking for work and fame.

Although Mumbai doesn't have as many monuments as some other Indian cities, it does contain three UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Elephanta Caves, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Train Station, and a collection of Victorian and Art Deco Buildings.

Mumbai has a long history like many other places in India. The city was just a cluster of islands that were home to several fishing villages until the Portuguese colonized the area in 1498 as part of their bid to trade with Asia.

The Portuguese called the area Beautiful Bay (Bom Baia) and built many forts, towns, and churches to populate their trading post. In 1661, the Portuguese gave Mumbai to England as part of Catherine de Braganza's wedding dowry when she married Charles II.

Charles wasn't too interested in the Islands, however, and he loaned them to the British East India Trading Company for almost no cost beginning in 1668. It was the East India Company that really started building Mumbai and putting the city on the map.

The East India Company built docks, trading posts, and a fort that would eventually form the downtown Mumbai area. They also started the process of filling in the gaps between the seven islands with earth to join them into one large peninsula.

Mumbai was an important part of the Indian fight for independence . After the country achieved independence in 1947, Mumbai saw a rush of immigration from people looking for work and money. Still today, Mumbai is the place to go if you want to make it big as a movie star, artist, or businessman.

Top 7 Attractions in Mumbai

The best way to experience Mumbai is to explore the old and the new parts of the city. Below we have listed some of the top things to do in Mumbai.

1. Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is Mumbai's most recognized monument and was designed to be the first thing that visitors see when they arrive in Mumbai by boat. The gateway was built in 1947 to mark the end of British colonialism and the beginning of independent India.

The gateway overlooks the Arabian Sea and is a good place to catch the sunset.

2. Crawford Market

Crawford Market is one of Mumbai's older and most famous wet markets . This market is located in a colonial heritage building and is full of an array of food from tropical fruits and homemade chocolate to fresh vegetables and meat.

3. Kala Ghoda

Kala Ghoda is Mumbai's vibrant art district and a hub of history, artwork, and great dining. This area has some of the best art galleries most modern restaurants in the city.

Here travelers can see dance performances, live music, theater shows, and films.

4. Juhu Beach and Marine Drive

Juhu Beach is one of Mumbai's best beaches and is located in one of the wealthiest areas in the city. This beach is a popular hangout spot for locals and a great place to watch the sunset or try some street food.

Juhu Beach is bordered by Marine Drive which is Mumbai's major coastal road. Marine Drive is sometimes called the 'Queen's Necklace' because of its curved shape and string of brilliant street lights.

5. Versova Beach

Versova Beach was once infamous for being dirty and covered in trash. In 2015, a Mumbai local named Afroz Shah began what would later be called the "world's largest beach cleanup" . Over a period of 3 years, Shah along with many other locals removed around 20 million kilograms of trash from the beach and waters.

Because of their hard work, Versova Beach has seen the return of nesting turtles and is now another great place to relax and watch the sunset.

6. Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves are located on the nearby Elephanta Island and are a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site . These island caves are home to ancient drawings as well as a temple that is devoted to the Hindu god Lord Shiva.

The temples and artwork on the island date back to medieval times and were carved from the surrounding stone.

7. Banganga Tank

Banganga Tank is a large temple and pool that contains water from the Ganges River which is considered to be holy in Hinduism. This water tank dates back to the 12th century and is a large structure surrounded by cascading steps on all sides.

Here, travelers can watch as worshipers climb the steps to bathe in the holy waters before entering the temple. The waters in the Banganga Tank are believed to have special healing powers.

Take a 2-Day Guided Tour of Mumbai

When visiting Mumbai, most travelers will only need 2 days to see the city's main attractions. Taking a guided tour of the city is a great way to see all the best spots at the best times.

Guided tours also offer visitors private transportation so that you won't have to worry about catching a taxi or taking an inner-city train.

On your guided tour, we recommend starting your day by heading to Colaba Causeway which is one of Mumbai's famous shopping districts and most important roads. Here you can get lunch at a modern and upscale restaurant.

After Colaba Causeway, head to Marine Drive and Kala Ghoda to get great views of the Arabian Sea, check out the Gateway of India, and see some of the city's local art. Afterward, head back to your hotel to rest.

Wake up the next morning and journey to Kala Ghoda for breakfast. Afterward, go to Mumbai's largest museum , Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, to learn more about local history through beautiful exhibits.

After eating lunch, head to Banganga Tank to observe the locals taking part in religious practices and then go to Chor Bazaar for some shopping.

If you have extra time , take a half-day trip out to Elephanta Island or spend a morning at Crawford Market.

Mumbai is one of the top places for Indians from other states and villages to go to when looking for work and opportunities. Mumbai has a local culture that stems from its regional location, but it is also a large melting pot of almost all Indian cultures.

Because Mumbai is located in the state of Maharashtra, Marathi is the official language of the city that is used by natives and government officials. Many immigrants speak other languages and the city has developed a dialect of Hindi that is to help with communication between the immigrant Hindi speakers and locals.

This Hindi dialect that is spoken in Mumbai is sometimes called Bombaiya Hindi and is strongly influenced by Bollywood.

Mumbai is truly one of the most diverse cities in the country and has residents that belong to almost every religion . Most people in Mumbai are Hindu but there are also large populations of Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.

In comparison with many other cities in India, Mumbai has very liberal views and is tolerant of other cultures and immigrants. Mumbai is a very modern city with a lively arts district and music scene.

Mumbai also has a few unique and interesting festivals . One of the city's biggest celebrations is Ganesh Chaturthi which is a festival dedicated to the elephant-headed Hindu god of wisdom, Ganesh and takes place in August or September. Some other great festivals to check out in Mumbai include the Elephanta Festival, Banganga Festival, and Kala Ghoda Festival.

Mumbai has a tropical climate and experiences warm temperatures and humid weather all year round. The winter months, from November to February, are typically the most comfortable time to visit the city with average temperatures of around 25-28°C (77-82°F).

It is still possible to visit Mumbai in the spring, from March to May, although the temperatures will be hotter with an average of around 35°C (95°F). 

Mumbai experiences its monsoon season with heavy rains from June to October.

Mumbai is quite an affordable place to visit . Compared to other Indian cities, travelers can expect the prices of accommodation, transportation, and food to all be slightly higher but still affordable when compared to western prices.

One of the more expensive aspects of visiting Mumbai is the price of accommodation and the cost of booking private transportation. If you want to travel more affordably, booking a guided tour of Mumbai is a good idea. Guided tours will include the price of accommodation, food, private transportation, and a private guide all in one upfront cost.

Mumbai is one of the safest cities in India . Here, the chances of getting into a traffic accident are much higher than being the victim of a crime. However, travelers should still take precautions while visiting Mumbai and pickpockets can be a problem in tourist areas.

All tourist areas are frequently patrolled by police in order the keep crime low.

The traffic is pretty hectic in Mumbai and travelers should be especially careful when crossing the road . It is also a good idea to avoid using public transportation during rush hour as the crowds can sometimes be dangerous.

Women visiting Mumbai should try not to travel alone and should be extra careful in the city after dark.

Mumbai is India's largest city and is very well connected to international and local transportation . There are three major ways to travel to Mumbai and they include by air, by train, by car, and by boat.

If you are traveling from Delhi to Mumbai, then the best option is by air because it is the quickest and most comfortable method.

When flying to Mumbai, you will likely land at the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. This airport is currently undergoing major renovations and receives direct international flights from major cities all over the world including New York, London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

You can also fly to Mumbai from most other Indian cities.

Mumbai is well connected to the Indian train system, and trains arrive in this city from all over the country. The city's main train station is Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

If you are traveling to Mumbai from the Indian states of Gujarat or Rajasthan, then taking a train can be a convenient option.

Mumbai can also be reached by private car via highways 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 17. Road conditions near Mumbai are generally better than other areas of the country.

It is possible to drive from Mumbai to the local beach state of Goa, however, certain major cities are probably too far of a drive from Mumbai. A trip by car from Delhi to Mumbai is likely to take around 25 hours.

There are many travel companies that offer cruises from other major Asian destinations to Mumbai. Certain cruises from Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai offer trips that stop in this bustling Indian city.

Explore Mumbai with Asia Highlights

Mumbai is a magnetic city that is full of energy, art, and dreams. If you would like to explore Mumbai but don't want to do all the planning, then we can help. At Asia Highlights, we specialize in creating tailor-made trips that meet the specific travel goals of each individual guest. Talk to one of our travel advisors to get professional advice about visiting Mumbai and other cities in India.

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7 Safety Tips For Travelers Visiting Mumbai

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For any tourist, Mumbai’s crowded lanes and buzzing streets can be exciting, yet overwhelming. If you are worried or confused about your safety on your trip, we’ve got some safety tips that will help you understand the ‘Do’s’ & ‘Don’t’s’ in Mumbai.

Stay Safe While Traveling

Mumbai has a lot to offer, and we want to make sure you don’t get intimidated by all the chaos out there. Whether you are taking a cab or are planning to travel in the local train in Mumbai, here are a few safety tips you should keep in mind:

1. Check the meter while traveling in cabs or autos

South Mumbai only allows black and yellow taxis, no autos. From the suburbs, starting Bandra on the western line, and Sion-Dadar on the Central line, autos are available. Whatever you decide to hop in to reach your destination, make sure you check the meter is set at zero. To be doubly sure, ask the driver if they are going by the meter. Always take a metered cab and auto, but if by any chance you do not have an option, make sure you negotiate a fair price before you get on the ride.

2. Be careful of pickpockets around

It’s easy to lose yourself in the dense crowd in Mumbai. From local train stations to street markets, you are likely to face a dense crowd everywhere. These crowded places are a thriving place for pickpockets to go about their business without getting noticed. So, even if you are in a hurry, stay alert. If you’re carrying a backpack, ditch the traditional way of wearing it on your back. Instead, let it rest on your chest. This way you can keep your eyes on it all the time.

3. Download the M-indicator app

For any help related to transportation, you can rely on m-indicator to guide you just like a local. From train timings, train fares and connecting routes to maps, cab, and auto fare, it has everything given in it. It also has a special chat room where you can even ask fellow passengers any queries you might have about traveling in Mumbai. If you aren’t sure about which sightseeing places are around Mumbai, just check their ‘Nearby Places’ or ‘Picnic’ option. The whole app makes it easy for any tourist to travel independently with prior planning.

4. Avoid unsafe neighborhoods at night

In the 1990’s, Mumbai was infamous for its mafia. There were a lot of rival gangs that would compete for dominance in the city. If you happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could become a victim of their violence. Those days are long gone, and Mumbai is a much safer city to live in.

You’ll see police vans patroling in most of the areas, but locals advise tourists to stay away from unsafe neighborhoods at night. Abandoned mill compounds or areas with completely deserted streets need to be avoided. It is best to stay away from Dongri and Dagdi Chawal areas at night.

5. Bargain while shopping at street markets

If you are only going to glitzy malls for shopping, you can be sure that the price you are paying is the one that is marked as the Maximum Retail Price. But at street markets, you’ll hardly find price tags. Street shopping in Mumbai is all about showcasing your bargaining and negotiating skills. Shopkeepers tend to quote exorbitant prices especially when they see foreign tourists around. Make sure you stay firm while negotiating, otherwise you may end up coughing up extra money.

6. Dial 100 in any case of emergency

Whether you think your cab driver isn’t taking you to the right location, or want to get rid of an eve-teaser, just take your phone and dial 100. That’s the number for police emergency services. It’s not just limited to Mumbai though, it works all over India. They are known for their active response, so anytime you are concerned about your safety, dial 100.

7. Avoid Wearing Skimpy Clothes

When you’re talking about clothes, Mumbai is definitely less conservative than the other cities in India. But a lot depends on the kinds of neighborhoods you are visiting. We are not saying you have to cover yourself from head to toe. But as a general rule, avoid anything that is too revealing or may count as skimpy.  Be prepared to attract a lot of stares and unwanted attention if you are roaming around in the streets in hot shorts.

As a tourist, how safe has your experience in Mumbai been? Tell us about your travel stories in the comments section below.

Image Credits:  Deccan Chronicle, Essen Travels, Google Play, The Hindu, TripSavvy, Shutterstock

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Your Trip to Mumbai: The Complete Guide

Trips to Mumbai: A Complete Guide

Mumbai, officially named Bombay until 1995 , is the financial capital of India and the home of India's Bollywood film industry. Also called India's "Maximum City," Mumbai is known for its extreme standards of living, fast-paced lifestyle, and the making (or breaking) of dreams. It's a cosmopolitan and increasingly westernized city that's an important base for industry and foreign trade.

Mumbai's interesting history saw it controlled by the Portuguese for 125 years until, incredibly, it was given to the British as part of a wedding dowry. Catherine Braganza (the Princess of Portugal) married Charles II (the King of England) in 1662, and the city was included as a dowry gift. At the time, it was group of seven islands. The British firstly developed Mumbai as a port, before embarking on extensive urban construction works in the early 1800s. After India obtained Independence in 1947 and the British departed, a population boom followed, brought about by the lure of wealth and opportunities unavailable elsewhere in the country.

Find out what to know before you go in this Mumbai travel guide.

Planning Your Trip to Mumbai

• Best Time to Visit : Mumbai has a tropical climate. It experiences hot, humid weather during April and May, with temperatures around 86 degrees F (30 degrees Celsius). The onset of the southwest monsoon begins in early June and rain is experienced until October. The weather remains humid, but the temperature drops to around 80-86 degrees F (26-30 degrees C) during the day. Following the monsoon, the weather gradually becomes cooler and drier until winter sets in, in late November. Winters in Mumbai are pleasant, with top temperatures of 77-82 degrees F (25-28 degrees C) during the day, although nights can be a little chilly.
• Language: Marathi, Hindi, and English.
• Currency: Indian rupee.
• Getting Around in Mumbai: App-based cabs such as Uber and Ola are the most convenient way of getting around. Taxis also operate in south Mumbai. You'll only find auto rickshaws in the suburbs, as these noisy little creations aren't allowed to travel any further south than Bandra. Mumbai also has a local rail network with three lines—Western, Central, and Harbour—which extend outwards from Churchgate in the city center. The air-conditioned Metro train network currently operates one line from east to west, from Ghatkopar to Versova, in the suburbs. The local train offers a relatively fast way to travel, but it gets suffocating during rush hours. Riding the Mumbai local train is a must-do experience in the city, though. Bus services operate in Mumbai but they can be slow and unreliable, not to mention hot and uncomfortable.
• Travel Tip: Try to visit Mumbai during the annual Ganesh festival , particularly on the last day when all the idols are immersed, for an unforgettable experience.

Unlike some other Indian cities, Mumbai isn't known for its historical monuments. However, its gothic colonial-era buildings and art deco architecture are just as interesting. In fact, Mumbai has the second largest collection of art deco buildings in the world, after Miami. Many of them can be found along Marine Drive . Beyond the impressive architecture, Mumbai has a thriving nightlife scene and plenty of attractions to keep visitors entertained for weeks.

To get acquainted with the city, consider taking one or more of these informative Mumbai tours . Or, explore these cool Mumbai neighborhoods or take a boat out into the harbor.

Shopaholics shouldn't miss these markets in Mumbai and best places to buy handicrafts in Mumbai .

For even more inspiration, read our full guides to the best things to do in Mumbai and the best architecture .

What to Eat and Drink

Mumbai has some distinctive street foods such as vada pav (a spicy deep fried ball of mashed potato in a bun) and pav bhaji (spicy mashed vegetables served with a bun). Head to the snack stalls on Girgaon Chowpatty to sample them at sunset. Being a coastal city, Mumbai has some cool bars with amazing views too. Or, if beer is your thing, head one of the top tap rooms and brewpubs in the city or popular hangout bars in Mumbai with cheap beer.

Learn more with our full guide to the best restaurants in Mumbai .

Where to Stay in Mumbai

Most tourists stay in south Mumbai's Colaba or Fort districts. Unfortunately, Mumbai is an expensive city and the price of accommodations can be shocking for what you get (or, rather, don't get). If you're on a tight budget, there are still some decent options for you. Also recommended are the top Mumbai budget hotels below $150 and best 5-star hotels in Mumbai.

Getting There

Mumbai is located on the west coast of India in the state of Maharajah. Mumbai's airport is one of the main entry points into India. It was substantially upgraded in 2014, including the addition of a new integrated Terminal 2 for international flights. Terminal 2 is located in Andheri East while the domestic terminal is in Santa Cruz, 19 miles (30 kilometers) and 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of the city center respectively. The terminals share a runway though. Travel time to the city center is around an hour and a half. However, it's much shorter early in the morning or late at night when traffic is lighter.

Culture and Customs of Mumbai

The Mumbai metro area has a population of more than 20 million people, making it one of India's largest cities. A majority of the residents are migrants from other states, who have come in search of employment.

Despite its overcrowding and other problems, Mumbai remains one of the safest cities in India, especially for women. Normal standards of care should, however, be taken, especially after dark.

Mumbai traffic, on the other hand, is horrendous. Roads are extremely congested, horns continually blare, and people overtake from both sides at whim. You should be particularly careful when crossing the road, and don't attempt to drive yourself. Avoid traveling on the local trains during rush hours, as there have been instances of people getting crushed or falling out of trains.

Be careful of pickpockets in tourist areas, such as the Colaba Causeway Market. Begging is also a problem in tourist areas and at traffic lights.

As always in India, it's important not to drink the water in Mumbai. Instead, buy readily available and inexpensive bottled water to keep healthy.

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India Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in India. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Updated   Global Measles April 26, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Cholera is  presumed to be present  in India. Cholera is rare in travelers.  Certain factors  may increase the risk of getting cholera or having severe disease ( more information ). Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera. Avoiding unsafe food and water and washing your hands can also help prevent cholera.

Vaccination may be considered for children and adults who are traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.

Cholera - CDC Yellow Book

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to India.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to India. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to India.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of India take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for India.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in India. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in India, rabies treatment is often available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to India. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

• Arrive within 6 days of leaving an area with risk for YF virus transmission, or
• Have been in such an area in transit (exception: passengers and members of flight crews who, while in transit through an airport in an area with risk for YF virus transmission, remained in the airport during their entire stay and the health officer agrees to such an exemption), or
• Arrive on a ship that started from or touched at any port in an area with risk for YF virus transmission ≤30 days before its arrival in India, unless such a ship has been disinsected in accordance with the procedure recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), or
• Arrive on an aircraft that has been in an area with risk for YF virus transmission and has not been disinsected in accordance with the Indian Aircraft Public Health Rules, 1954, or as recommended by WHO.
• Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda
• Americas: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago (Trinidad only), Venezuela

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

• Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
• Avoid domestic and wild poultry
• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in India, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in India. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Some diseases in India—such as dengue, Zika, filariasis, and leishmaniasis—are spread by bugs and cannot be prevented with a vaccine. Follow the insect avoidance measures described above to prevent these and other illnesses.

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in India include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis and leptospirosis, infections that can be spread in fresh water, are found in India. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call India’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in India. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of India may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in India, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in India, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for India .

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in India.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

To call for emergency services while in India, dial 100 or, from a mobile phone, 112. Write these numbers down to carry with you during your trip.

Learn as much as you can about India before you travel there. A good place to start is the country-specific information on India from the US Department of State.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for India for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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10 Safety Tips for Tourists Travelling to Mumbai

Check our handy safety guide for tourists heading to mumbai to get the most out of this city without risking your health or safety..

While it certainly is the ‘City of Dreams’, Mumbai is also a complex, bustling metropolis with a distinct way of life. Visitors may take a while to get used to the city and not be intimidated by its hectic atmosphere. We have compiled this list of ten safety tips for you to make the most of your Mumbai visit, while not risking your health or safety.

Mumbai’s trains are overwhelming, even for locals. They’re severely overcrowded – to the point that a term, ‘super dense crush load’ has been coined to specifically describe how crowded they get. Tourists are generally advised to avoid traveling on the trains during peak hours. If you have a little extra cash to dish out, buy first class tickets instead of the regular ones to access the relatively less crowded and much airier first class compartments. If you are a woman, you may find the exclusively women’s compartment more comfortable, particularly during busy hours.

The city has its fair share of pickpockets. Be wary of your personal belongings when in crowded areas – particularly the city’s bustling bazaars and crowded trains. You are encouraged to wear your backpack such that its contents are in front of you and not behind – as you’ll see most locals do during rush hour.

South Mumbai’s black and white taxi cabs are almost always metered, unlike autos elsewhere in the city. While most drivers will charge you exactly what the meter reading says and sometimes even forgive you if are short by some change, make sure to check you’re not hopping into an unmetered cab. If so, make sure to negotiate the price. Also, be wary if your cab has additional passengers besides the driver – unless your cab is a shared one.

If you are a foreigner, be prepared for vendors at the city’s street side stalls and bazaars to throw exorbitant prices at you – sometimes even for the fun of a good bargain. You are encouraged to negotiate the best you can without insulting vendors. You can always check with a fellow local customer to see if you’re being unreasonably charged.

While Mumbai truly is India’s city that never sleeps, parts of the city may seem hostile to outsiders after dusk. Women are particularly advised to be careful while traveling in the city at night – though you will see female Mumbaikars traveling alone at night, they are likely much more familiar with the city, its neighborhoods and circumstances. If you are a tourist traveling the city at night, particularly a single woman, stick to the crowded, touristy areas, take precautions and be alert.

Mumbai’s dramatic monsoons come with much need for caution. On one hand, there are train delays, traffic congestion issues and flooded roads. Then there are the spread of various seasonal diseases. Mosquitoes breed at an alarming rate during the monsoons, and diseases such as malaria and dengue fever become quite common. Make sure to wear a mosquito repellent and stay cautious.

As is true for any other city, it helps to be a little wary of people’s intentions if they’re overly inquisitive or friendly. Don’t give out personal details or reveal very specific information about your travel plans. Stay alert and you should be fine.

Be careful while indulging in street food , particularly if you have a sensitive stomach. As tempting as they may be, chances are they will upset your gut. As one can imagine, street food isn’t always prepared in the most sanitary conditions – which is why even locals don’t always indulge.

When it comes to drinking water, stick to bottled water. Make sure the packaging is intact and that the seal hasn’t been broken. Water at smaller restaurants isn’t always sanitary. While the case is particularly true during monsoons and summer, you are advised to stay wary throughout the year.

Mumbai can get really hot during the summer. Make sure to use sunscreen, stay hydrated and avoid being out in the open for too long.

The Best Time to Visit Mumbai, India for Weather, Safety, & Tourism

The best times to visit Mumbai for ideal weather are

February 19th to May 6th

October 29th to december 23rd.

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

Mumbai Travel Guide

Temperature.

• Perceived Temperature
• Rain and snow
• Humidity and wind
• The busiest and least popular months
• Overall travel experience by time of year

Other Mumbai Travel Info

Weather in mumbai.

Average temperatures in Mumbai vary little. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot all year with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 21st percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above . If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Mumbai, the hottest months are May, October, and then April. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late May to early June where highs are regularly around 95.3°F (35.2°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 82.2°F (27.9°C) at night.

Mumbai Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Mumbai temperatures (celsius), “feels-like” temperatures.

The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.

Mumbai Perceived Temperature (F)

Mumbai perceived temperature (c), average mumbai temperatures by month.

Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.

Show Fahrenheit

Show celsius, precipitation (rain or snow).

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Mumbai are January, February, and then March. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early January. For example, on the week of January 1st there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid July with an average of 5 days of significant precipitation the week of July 16th.

Chance of Precipitation

The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Mumbai.

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Mumbai (in).

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show inches, show centimeters, humidity and wind.

Mumbai has some extremely humid months, with other moderately humid months on the other side of the year. The least humid month is December (44.1% relative humidity), and the most humid month is July (81.8%).

Wind in Mumbai is usually calm . The windiest month is July, followed by June and August. July’s average wind speed of around 8.4 knots (9.7 MPH or 15.6 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid July where average top sustained speeds reach 14.6 knots, which is considered a moderate breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Mumbai.

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Average Wind Speeds

Show wind speeds.

All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Is it safe to travel to mumbai.

Our best data indicates this area is somewhat safe, but with extra warnings in a few regions. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are travel warnings and regional advisories for India; exercise a high degree of caution and avoid some areas. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories . This advisory was last updated on Dec 01, 2023.

The Busiest and Least Crowded Months

The busiest month for tourism in Mumbai, India is December, followed by August and February. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Mumbai in June. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.

Estimated Tourism by Month

Most popular months to visit, overall mumbai travel experience by season, spring (march through may).

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel warm. Highs range from 94.2°F (34.6°C) and 91.4°F (33°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is nonexistent with roughly 0 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is fairly slow for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.

Summer (June through August)

The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are quite warm. These months see the most precipitation with 14 to 22 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the slowest season for tourism in Mumbai, so lodging and other accommodations may cost less than usual.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 95.3°F (35.2°C) and 86.9°F (30.5°C), which will feel very nice given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 1 to 15 days per month. Tourism is the second busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be slightly higher priced.

Winter (December through February)

Weather is perfect this time of year in Mumbai to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 92.7°F (33.7°C) and 86.9°F (30.5°C). On average, it rains or snows a insignificant amount: consistently 0 times per month. These times of year are the busiest with tourists.

Best Times to Travel › India › Mumbai, India

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Latest update

Exercise a high degree of caution in India overall due to the threat of terrorism and crime and the risk of civil unrest.

Higher levels apply in some areas.

Asia (PDF 2.21 MB)

Local emergency contacts

All emergencies, fire and rescue services, medical emergencies, advice levels.

Exercise a high degree of caution in India overall. 

Exercise a high degree of caution in India overall due to the threat of terrorism and crime and the risk of civil unrest. (see Safety ).

Do not travel  to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir; and the India-Pakistan border (except the Atari-Wagah border crossing). This doesn't apply to the Union Territory of Ladakh, which was established as its own union territory of India in October 2019, separate from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Do not travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir; and the India-Pakistan border (except the Atari-Wagah border crossing) due to the danger of armed clashes, terrorist activities and violent demonstrations.

This doesn't apply to the Union Territory of Ladakh, which was established as its own union territory of India in October 2019, separate from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. (see ' Safety ')

Reconsider your need to travel to the Atari-Wagah border crossing, north-eastern states of Assam (except Guwahati), Nagaland and Manipur; and Chhattisgarh and the border areas of neighbouring states.

Reconsider your need to travel to:

• the Atari-Wagah border crossing
• North-eastern states of Assam (except Guwahati), Nagaland and Manipur;
• Chhattisgarh; and
• the border areas of neighbouring states

due to the high risk of violence (see ' Safety ').

Polling for the Indian general elections will take place between 19 April and 1 June. Results will be announced on or around 4 June. Frequent political rallies and possible protests are likely to occur in the lead-up to, during, and after the election. You can expect traffic delays and restricted access to locations if protests occur. Avoid protests and demonstrations and monitor local media for the latest updates.

• Terrorist activities, violent demonstrations and armed clashes sometimes occur in India. Avoid crowded places and possible targets. Large crowds at religious ceremonies and gatherings can also be dangerous. People have been killed in stampedes. Always have an exit plan.
• Due to ongoing farmers' protests, law enforcement authorities have imposed prohibitory orders restricting large gatherings in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. You could face delays crossing Delhi borders by road and at railway and metro stations. If you have an international flight scheduled from New Delhi, monitor local media and plan your travel accordingly. 
• Women may face higher levels of verbal and physical harassment or sexual assault. Avoid travelling alone, even in major cities and tourist sites.
• Travellers have been robbed and assaulted after consuming spiked drinks or food. Don't leave your food or drinks unattended or accept food or drinks from strangers. Petty theft is common in crowded areas such as markets and public transport. Thieves on motorbikes snatch bags and jewellery. Carry only what you need. Pay close attention to your belongings.
• Scams are common. These can involve fake tour guides, ATM and credit card skimming, and fraudulent access to government services. If you're a scam victim, report it to the police to get an official report for your travel insurer.
• Severe weather is common. This includes heat waves and dust storms in summer and flooding during the monsoon season. Check with your tour operator for possible disruptions.

Curfews and restrictions have been imposed in parts of Manipur following violent demonstrations, resulting in casualties. Security agencies have increased their presence in the region. Mobile internet and transport services continue to be affected. Further restrictions may be imposed at short notice. If you are in Manipur, you should avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings, monitor local media for updates, follow the advice of local authorities, and take official warnings seriously.

Full travel advice: Safety

• Medical facilities in major cities have adequate treatment standards. The availability of treatment can be very limited or unavailable in remote and rural areas. You may need to be evacuated if you're seriously ill or injured. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
• Swine flu is widespread during winter. Talk to your doctor about flu shots.
• Malaria is a risk in many parts of India, including major cities. Dengue is widespread during the monsoon season. Zika virus outbreaks may occur. Other insect-borne diseases include Japanese encephalitis, chikungunya and filariasis. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent. Get vaccinated. If you're pregnant, discuss this with your doctor.
• HIV/AIDS is widespread. Take precautions if you engage in high-risk activities.
• Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are very common. These include cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. Drink only treated or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food.
• Air pollution can reach dangerous levels, especially in winter. It can disrupt transport and cause breathing problems. Discuss your travel plans with a doctor if you have an existing health condition.

Full travel advice: Health

• Always carry your passport and ensure you have a valid visa. It's illegal not to. Conducting missionary work without a proper visa is illegal.
• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties for drug offences include mandatory sentences and the death penalty.
• Check local alcohol laws before you visit. Laws on the legal drinking age and alcohol purchase vary between states.
• It's illegal to import, possess or use e-cigarettes, vaporisers or their components, such as refills. Penalties include imprisonment.
• It's illegal to fly drones and other unmanned aircraft without official permission. Contact local police for advice. It's illegal to carry or export antiquities without a permit. Contact your nearest  Indian embassy or consulate  for advice. It's illegal to photograph airports, military sites and dams. Some places of worship also prohibit photography.
• Carrying or using a satellite phone or device without official permission is illegal. You may be arrested for carrying a satellite phone or device.
• Cows roam freely in India. It's illegal to maim or kill them deliberately. In some states, the penalty is up to 5 years in jail.
• India has strict dress and behaviour codes, especially at religious sites. Physical contact between men and women in public might be considered inappropriate.

Full travel advice: Local laws

• You must apply for a visa before arrival. Check your eligibility and apply online for an e-visa by visiting the Government of India's  Indian Visa Online   website. For information on other visa types and immigration requirements, see the  eFRRO  and  Bureau of Indian Immigration  websites or contact the nearest high commission/embassy or consulate of India for the latest details.
• You may need permission from Indian authorities to visit 'restricted' or 'protected' areas, particularly in the north-east.
• Travelling by road in India can be dangerous, particularly at night. Accidents are common.

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The Consular Services Charter details what we can and can't do to help you overseas.
• For consular help, contact the Australian High Commission in New Delhi , or the Australian Consulate-General in Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata.
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the High Commission's social media accounts.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Terrorist attacks are possible in India anywhere and at any time.

The Australian Government continues to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks in India.

The Indian Government regularly issues public alert warnings about possible terrorist attacks.

Terrorist attacks could target foreigners. Violence directed at others may affect you.

Terrorists have targeted popular tourist areas, including:

• hotels, markets and cinemas
• tourist and religious sites
• transport hubs and public transport networks
• sporting events
• local courts and Indian security and political establishments

Targets could also include major tourist attractions and shopping centres.

Attacks could happen during significant times such as:

• Republic Day, 26 January
• Independence Day, 15 August
• periods of religious significance
• other major holidays - noting each state has different holidays

Many terrorist attacks in India have involved multiple explosions, one after the other. These attacks have caused a high number of deaths.

Militants have crossed the border into India to conduct attacks in the past. This will likely continue.

Attacks on the military and police in Jammu and Kashmir often lead to violent clashes.

Outside of major cities, security on public transport is limited, including on buses and railways.

Security at airports has improved due to the threat of terrorist attacks against Indian aviation interests.

To protect yourself from terrorist attacks:

• check the media for threats
• take official warnings seriously
• consider the level of security at your destination
• avoid areas that are possible terrorist targets
• have a clear exit plan for crowded places and potential targets
• report suspicious activity or items to the police

If there's an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe. Avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks.

• Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information: 

Jammu and Kashmir

On 5 August 2019, the Government of India announced constitutional changes that affected the internal political status of Jammu and Kashmir.

A heightened Indian security presence is now in place, with additional restrictive measures applying to public gatherings and internet and telecommunications services. Monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir there is a high risk of:

• armed clashes
• terrorist attacks
• violent demonstrations

There is a higher risk in rural areas and areas close to the border with Pakistan.

Terrorists have kidnapped foreigners in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorists have also targeted tourist buses.

People have been killed and seriously injured in widespread violent protests. More police have been sent to the region.

Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Maoist insurgents, known as Naxalites, have attacked rural and forested areas of the state of Chhattisgarh.

There is a risk of Naxalite violence in border regions of:

• Maharashtra
• Andhra Pradesh

Borders with Pakistan

Parts of the India-Pakistan border have a high risk of:

• cross-border attacks

Always be alert to possible threats near the Atari-Wagah border crossing.

North-eastern states of Assam (except Guwahati), Nagaland and Manipur

The north-eastern states of Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, except Guwahati city, have a high risk of:

• armed robbery
• separatist and insurgent violence

This includes rural areas.

Insurgent groups in these states have:

• attacked civilians
• bombed buildings

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

If, despite the risks, you decide to travel to an area where there's a threat of kidnapping:

• seek professional security advice
• arrange effective personal security measures

More information:

Civil unrest and political tension

General elections 2024.

Due to ongoing farmers' protests, law enforcement authorities have imposed prohibitory orders restricting large gatherings in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. You could face delays crossing Delhi borders by road towards townships in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Additional security may also be in place at railway and metro stations. If you have an international flight scheduled from New Delhi, plan your travel accordingly. Monitor local media and follow instructions provided by authorities. 

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

Violent protests and demonstrations occur from time to time. They can happen with little or no warning.

Many people have died due to civil unrest and communal violence in India.

Triggers for demonstrations include:

• international events
• political developments in the region
• election periods
• local events

Demonstrations may affect public transport.

Large crowds at religious ceremonies and gatherings can be dangerous. They have led to life-threatening situations such as stampedes.

Indian authorities may:

• set curfews
• limit mobile network availability
• restrict activity

To protect yourself from civil unrest and violence:

• avoid demonstrations, political events, rallies, processions and large public gatherings
• check the news and other sources for information
• avoid areas affected by civil unrest
• follow the advice of local authorities
• plan your activities to avoid days of national and commemorative significance

Be prepared to change your travel plans if there's an incident.

If you're affected by transport disruptions, contact your airline, travel agent or insurer for help.

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Sexual assault

Women in India may experience:

• unwanted attention
• sexual assault

It is rare for people who commit these crimes to be successfully prosecuted by the law.

There are consistent, ongoing allegations and reports of sexual misconduct. These reports have involved religious groups and their leaders. If you're visiting India for religious reasons, find out about your hosts before travelling.

Avoid travelling alone if you're female, even in major cities and tourist sites.

• Advice for women
• Sexual assault overseas

Drink and food spiking

Many travellers have been robbed and assaulted after consuming spiked drinks or food.

Home-made or unlabelled alcohol can be poisonous.

Drink spiking incidents have occurred:

• on public transport
• in hotels, restaurants and bars

Drink and food spiking is rare at:

• business-class hotels
• upscale bars and restaurants

The risk of drink and food spiking is higher in smaller establishments.

To protect yourself from food and drink spiking:

• don't accept food or drinks from strangers
• don't leave drinks unattended
• if you're not certain your drink is safe, don't drink it

Petty crime

Petty theft is common in crowded areas such as:

• trade fairs
• airports and train stations
• public transport, including overnight and long-distance trains

Thieves on motorcycles snatch bags and jewellery.

To protect yourself from petty crime:

• pay close attention to your personal belongings, especially in crowded areas
• carry only what you need, including your passport
• leave valuables in a secure location
• avoid wearing expensive watches, jewellery and cameras
• avoid carrying bags that are easy to snatch

If you're walking, stay on footpaths, if possible, and:

• away from the curb
• with your bag held away from traffic

Avoid travelling alone, especially at night:

• in cars, taxis and rickshaws

Avoid less populous and unlit areas. This includes city streets, village lanes and beaches.

Scams in India can involve:

• ATM and credit cards
• train tickets
• temple donations
• tour guides

Tour guide scams

Tour guides attempt to sell fraudulent tour packages. Some guides may try to 'prove' that your existing tour package is invalid to sell you their package.

Strangers posing as 'guides' may attempt to take travellers to tourist areas. The fake guide transports the victim to an isolated area, where they then attempt to rob and assault them. 

Check that any person holding a placard with your name knows where you are going.

Card skimming scams

Card skimming devices copy details from the magnetic strip on your ATM and credit cards. These details are transferred onto a blank card for the criminal to use. There is a high risk of card skimming at ATMs.

To avoid credit and debit card scams:

• keep your credit card in sight at all times
• don't show your PIN to others, especially when using ATMs
• check your transaction statements

Government services scams

Touts or agents near government offices tell foreigners they can provide faster services for a fee. They may be present around places such as the Foreigner Regional Registration Office.

Reporting scams

If you're the victim of a scam report it immediately to the nearest police station. You may not be able to get your money or goods back. However, the police can give you an official report so you can make a claim with your insurer. See Local contacts.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations with social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Tours and adventure activities

Touts may use aggressive tactics to persuade you to buy tickets for tours. You'll often see them at:

• railway stations
• bus stations

They may not have any connection to tour services. You may be overcharged.

Businesses don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes:

• tour operators
• adventure activities

If you plan to do an adventure activity :

• check if your travel insurance policy covers it
• check the credentials of the operator
• ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts

If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

Wildlife safety

Tigers attack and kill people in India.

Monkeys may attempt to steal items from people at temples and busy tourist attractions.

If you plan to observe or photograph wildlife:

• always respect wildlife laws and park regulations
• only use reputable and professional guides
• keep a safe distance

Climate and natural disasters

Severe weather.

India experiences natural disasters and severe weather , including:

• heatwaves and drought
• floods and landslides
• cyclones and storms
• dust storms
• earthquakes and tsunamis

If there's a natural disaster:

• always carry your passport in a waterproof bag
• keep in touch with family and friends
• check the media, the  India Meteorological Department website and other local sources for information

Heatwaves and drought

The climate in India is varied.

Heatwaves can cause droughts and water shortages in summer. 

Floods and landslides

Monsoon rains occur from June to October.

Monsoon rains can cause extensive flooding and landslides.

High-risk areas include:

• Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the north and east
• Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in the south

Floods have affected millions of people and caused many deaths.

If you're travelling during monsoon season, ask your tour operator if services have been affected.

Cyclones and storms

Cyclones are common in Indian waters from April to December. They are particularly common around the Bay of Bengal in eastern India.

Coastal and some inland areas are vulnerable to storm surges, particularly:

• Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
• Lakshadweep
• the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Western India (Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat)

Cyclones and storms can disrupt critical services, including:

• emergency and medical care
• telecommunications
• food and water supplies

If there's a cyclone or storm:

• you may get stuck in the area
• flights could be delayed or suspended
• available flights may fill quickly
• adequate shelter may not be available

If you arrive during the wet season, contact your tour operator to check if services are affected.

Dust storms

Dust storms occur during summer and have caused deaths.

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Earth tremors are common in India, particularly in the north-eastern states.

Earth tremors can cause landslides in hilly and mountainous areas.

If there is an earthquake, expect severe disruptions to services.

To stay safe during an earthquake:

• know the emergency plans at your accommodation
• follow the instructions and advice of local authorities
• follow evacuation orders

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis. However, the Indian and Pacific Oceans experience large, destructive tsunamis more often. Be alert to warnings. A tsunami could quickly follow a tremor or earthquake.

Move to high ground straight away if:

• local authorities advise you to
• you feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• you feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• you see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• you hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings. Once on high ground, monitor local media and weather services.

Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you travel. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in India. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Swine flu (h1n1).

Cases of Swine flu or influenza A (H1N1) are widespread in winter.

Talk to your GP or travel doctor about vaccinations before you leave Australia.

Insect-borne diseases

Malaria is a risk in most parts of India, including major cities.

Dengue is widespread after the monsoon season.

Other insect-borne diseases are common, including: 

• Japanese encephalitis
• chikungunya

Zika virus  outbreaks can occur in India. There's no vaccination available for the Zika virus.

If you're pregnant:

• talk to your doctor about your travel plans
• defer non-essential travel to affected areas

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria

Zika virus fact sheet (WHO)

Nipah Virus 

Nipah virus  outbreaks can occur in India. There’s no vaccination available for the Nipah virus. Nipah virus is usually transmitted through contact with an infected person or through infected animals, such as bats, as well as food and materials contaminated with their saliva or urine. 

HIV/AIDS is widespread in India. Take precautions if you engage in activities that expose you to the risk of infection.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are very common, including:

• tuberculosis

Tap water is not safe to drink.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink treated water or drink bottled water with intact seals
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food
• don't swim in freshwater
• avoid contact with dogs, monkeys and other mammals

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, seek medical help straight away.

Get medical attention if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.

Infectious diseases

Air quality

Air pollution levels in parts of India can spike to hazardous levels during the winter months, October to February.

Severe pollution can cause:

• flight delays
• traffic delays

It can also increase the risk of breathing problems.

People who have pre-existing medical conditions, particularly heart and lung conditions, may be especially affected.

If you're concerned about the levels of air pollution:

• seek medical advice
• follow advice from local authorities about methods to reduce exposure
• monitor an air quality index
• reduce your exposure
• System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR)
• Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Medical facilities in major cities have adequate treatment standards.  Facilities in remote and rural areas can be very limited or unavailable.

If you're seriously ill or injured, you may be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive with long lead times. 

Restrictions on airspace in some locations (including, but not limited to, Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir) may prevent commercial medical evacuation. Should you be involved in a serious accident, air evacuation by the Indian Air Force may be the only option. Costs can be in the tens of thousands of dollars.  

Medical tourism

Medical tourism has become more common in India, including for:

• cosmetic procedures
• experimental stem cell treatments

Standards at a discount and uncertified medical establishments can be poor.

Serious and possibly life-threatening complications can and do occur.

If you plan to visit India for medical tourism:

• research and choose your medical service providers carefully
• don't use discounts or uncertified medical service providers

Decompression chambers

Decompression chambers are available at:

• the Indian Navy base in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• the Goa Medical College, Goa

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

If you're arrested for a major offence, you could go to prison for several years before you receive a verdict.

If you're imprisoned, there could be delays in getting help from the Australian Government. This is due to India's consular access approval requirements.

Drugs and alcohol

Penalties for drug offences are severe and can include mandatory sentences and the death penalty.

The minimum legal drinking age ranges from 18 to 25 years, depending on the state.

The legal drinking age can vary for different types of alcohol.

Some states permit alcohol use for medicinal purposes only. Others require you to hold a permit to buy, transport or drink alcohol.

Some states prohibit alcohol from being brought in from outside the state, and police may check vehicles to enforce this law.

Check the alcohol laws of each place you plan to visit.

E-cigarettes and vaporisers

It is illegal to import, possess or use e-cigarettes, vaporisers or their components, such as refills. Penalties include imprisonment.

Surrogacy laws

Commercial surrogacy is illegal in India.

• Going overseas for international surrogacy
• Going overseas to adopt a child

It's illegal to give or receive a dowry.

Courts can issue arrest alert notices for dowry claims a wronged party's request.

If you've been involved in giving or receiving a dowry or a case has been filed against you for dowry and harassment, you could be arrested on arrival into India.

It's illegal to fly unmanned aircraft systems, such as drones, without official permission, particularly:

• within a 30km radius of India Gate in New Delhi
• near military, transport and power facilities

Contact local police for advice and to get permission.

Antiquities

Possessing or exporting antiquities without official permission is illegal. For information contact the Indian Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs or an embassy or consulate of India .

Photography

It's illegal to photograph or trespass on:

• military establishments

It's also illegal to take pictures or videos of some places of worship. Always check with the building's administrative office before taking photos or videos.

In India, it's illegal to:

• not carry your passport and a valid visa
• carry or use a satellite phone, satellite GPS or other satellite-enabled navigation devices without official permission
• possess firearms or ammunition
• do religious missionary work without an appropriate visa

Those carrying and/or using satellite phones and satellite-enabled navigation devices may be denied entry to India, detained, arrested and/or fined. This may occur even in the case of transits.

In some states, attempting to convert a person to another religion is illegal by force or other enticement.

It's also illegal to maim or kill a cow deliberately. The penalty is up to 5 years imprisonment in some states.

Serious crimes

Some crimes may result in the death penalty, including:

• kidnapping for ransom
• armed robbery with murder
• rape, in certain circumstances
• Staying within the law and respecting customs
• Advice for LGBTI  travellers
• Doing business

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law

Local customs

Codes of dress and behaviour are strict in India. These are particularly important at religious sites.

Physical contact between men and women in public might be considered inappropriate. Take care not to offend.

If in doubt, seek local advice.

In India, the Islamic holiday month of  Ramadan  is observed. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking may be illegal in public during the day. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence.

Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.

Dual citizenship

The Indian constitution doesn't recognise dual nationality.

Indian law allows people of Indian origin in some countries to apply for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). This includes people in Australia.

Check the Overseas Citizenship of India section of the Indian Government's Ministry of Home Affairs website for details.

Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Visa requirements

You must apply for a visa before arrival. Check if you're eligible for an e-visa on the  Indian Visa Online  website. For information regarding other visa categories or entry and exit requirements, see the  Indian High Commission in Australia  website.   

For information and advice regarding Indian visas and immigration regulations while in India, see the  FRRO/FRO  and the  Bureau of Immigration websites. 

If your visa has expired or you have overstayed your visa, make sure you regularise your immigration status with the FRRO/FRO before you seek to travel. Immigration authorities may prevent you from leaving India on an expired visa. 

If you have had a baby in India, register the baby with the FRRO and secure an exit permit before you travel.

Electronic visas

You may be eligible for an Electronic Visa (e-Visa) for:

• medical reasons

Get your e-Visa at least 4 days before you arrive.

Check that you're eligible before you apply. See the Government of India's  Indian Visa Online   website for details.

Tourist e-Visa

Indian Tourist e-Visas can be granted for 30 days, one year or five years. Additional conditions regarding the maximum length of stay may apply depending on the nationality shown on your passport. Detailed information regarding your visa validity and the maximum length of stay for each visa category can be found on the  Indian Visa Online  and  Ministry of Home Affairs  websites.     

Beware of fake websites offering e-Visa services.

Carry a printed copy of your e-Visa, known as an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

You'll get a formal visa in your passport when you arrive in India.

Long queues are common at immigration counters in India, regardless of visa type.

Not all international airports in India allow passengers to enter with an e-Visa. Check with your nearest  Indian consulate, embassy  or agent and organise a visa before you arrive.

If you present an e-Visa at an entry point where the e-Visa is not recognised, you:

• won't be able to apply for any other visa
• won't be allowed to enter India
• will be deported

If you have an e-Visa, you can leave India from any authorised immigration checkpoint.

Other visas

All other visa applicants should contact the nearest Indian embassy or consulate.

Other conditions

If you don't have a valid passport or visa, you could be deported by Indian authorities.

Some visas require you to register yourself within 14 days of your arrival. Failing to do so may prevent you from departing India. Visit the  Ministry of Home Affairs  website for details.

The Australian High Commission and Australian Consulate-Generals in India can't help you to stay if you don't have the correct documents.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the Indian High Commission in Canberra for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Ministry of Home Affairs

Volunteering

If you're considering  volunteer  work, talk to the nearest  embassy or consulate  about visa requirements before travelling. This includes  students  visiting India under the New Colombo Plan.

Volunteer responsibly.

Make sure you are contributing in an ethical and meaningful way.

Overstays and exit visas

You could incur heavy penalties for overstaying your visa, including being jailed.

Check your visa conditions and make sure you comply.

Leave India before your visa expires.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you're in India, contact the nearest Australian mission to get a replacement travel document. You'll then need to get an exit visa through the online porta l  Foreigner's Regional Registration Office (FRRO) before you leave. 

If your passport is lost or stolen:

• report it to the police
• arrange a replacement travel document from the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate
• apply for an exit visa from the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs

Other formalities

Currency laws.

Laws controlling the import and export of Indian rupees, foreign currency and other goods can change with little notice.

Contact your nearest Indian embassy or consulate for up-to-date information.

Yellow fever vaccination

You'll need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter India if you travel from an area where yellow fever occurs.

See the Indian Government's Bureau of Immigration  for advice.

Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 152KB)

Long-stay registration

If you plan to stay in India for more than 180 days and do not hold an OCI card, register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in major cities.

In other areas, you can register with the Superintendent of Police.

All visitors on long-term visas must register. This includes the following visas:

• project visas

You must register even if you're a foreigner of Indian origin.

If you don't register, you could face fines or imprisonment.

You may not be able to leave India until the Bureau of Immigration  grants permission.

Some countries require you to have at least 6 months of validity remaining on your passport after the date you plan to leave. This can apply even if you're transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with 'X' gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

• LGBTI travellers

ATMs that accept international debit and credit cards are widely available in larger cities and towns. However, they're harder to find in rural areas.

Cash shortages at ATMs can be a problem in rural areas.

Traveller's cheques are not widely accepted.

Counterfeit currency is in circulation. Take care when dealing with cash.

Reserve Bank of India

Local travel

Travel delays.

Travel delays are common.

Expect delays around days of national significance, including:

Fog often affects northern India, particularly during December and January. Fog may cause:

• delays to air and rail travel
• dangerous road travel conditions

Travel restrictions

You may need permission from Indian authorities to visit areas designated as 'restricted' or 'protected', particularly in the north-east.

Some state and union territory governments restrict foreigners from travelling around these areas. Additional permission may be required for foreigners born in certain countries. This also applies to Australians born in those countries, even if travelling on an Australian passport.

There are heavy penalties for entering a protected or restricted area without permission.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has temporarily excluded the following areas from the Protected Area regime. Visit  the Bureau of Indian Immigration  webpage for details.

If you plan to visit a protected or restricted area or to confirm if additional requirements apply to your circumstances:

• seek advice from an embassy or consulate of India or the Ministry of Home Affairs
• apply at least 4 weeks in advance

Driving permit

You can drive without an Indian driver's licence for 3 months if you have both:

• an International Driving Permit
• your current Australian driver's licence

Your licence must be valid for the type of vehicle you are driving.

You need an Indian driver's licence if you plan to drive in India for over 3 months.

Your insurance may be void if you have an accident without the correct licence. You could be liable for the accident as an unlicensed driver.

Road travel

Travelling by road in India can be dangerous.  Accidents are common.

Hazards include:

• poorly maintained vehicles
• poor quality and congested roads
• roads shared with pedestrians, carts, cattle and other livestock
• vehicles travelling in the wrong direction, often without warning

Travelling by road at night is particularly dangerous due to:

• insufficient or non-existent lighting
• other vehicles driving with headlights off or on high beam

If you hit a pedestrian or cow, you're at risk of being attacked or becoming a victim of extortion, even if you weren't driving the vehicle.

If it's unsafe to remain at the scene of an accident, go to the nearest police station.

To stay safe when driving:

• avoid driving at night
• avoid driving in fog
• if you hit a pedestrian or cow, go straight to the nearest police station

Driving or riding

Motorcycles

If you plan on riding a motorbike:

• check that your travel insurance policy covers you
• exercise caution
• always wear a helmet

Use a pre-paid taxi service when you arrive at the airport.

It's difficult to verify if street taxis are legitimate.

Use taxi services booked from hotels or taxi stands. Don't hail taxis on the street.

Don't use unmarked private cars as taxis.

Rideshare apps are widely used in major cities. You can use these apps with a local SIM card.

Public transport

Bus and train services can be dangerous due to the following:

• overcrowding
• poor maintenance
• drivers who don't have adequate training

If you travel by train, find out where the emergency exits are located.

Transport and getting around safely

There may not be safety equipment, such as life jackets, on:

• tourist boats
• other small commercial crafts

Before you book, check the operators' credentials and safety equipment.

Travelling by boat

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check India's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

Call 1800 11 1363 for 24/7 tourist helpline in 12 languages, run by the Ministry of Tourism.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Ministry of Tourism

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact:

Australian High Commission, New Delhi

No. 1/50 G Shantipath (Gate 1)

Chanakyapuri

New Delhi 110 021

Phone: (+91 11) 4139 9900

Fax: (+91 11) 2687 2228

Website: india.highcommission.gov.au

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Australia in India

X (Twitter): @AusHCIndia

Instagram: AusHCIndia

Australian Consulate-General, Mumbai

Level 10, A Wing

Crescenzo Building

Opp MCA Cricket Club

G Block, Plot C 38-39

Bandra Kurla Complex

Mumbai 400 051

Phone: (+91 22) 6757 4900

Fax: (+91 22) 6757 4955

Website: mumbai.consulate.gov.au

Email: [email protected]

Australian Consulate-General, Chennai

9th Floor, Express Chambers

Express Avenue Estate

Whites Road

Chennai 600 014

Phone: (+91 44) 4592 1300

Fax: (+91 44) 4592 1320

Website: chennai.consulate.gov.au

Email: [email protected]

Australian Consulate-General, Kolkata

1A, Ho Chi Minh Sarani

Kolkata 700 071

West Bengal

Phone: (+91 11 4910 5980)

Website: kolkata.consulate.gov.au  

Email:  [email protected]

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru

The Ritz-Carlton

99 Residency Road

Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025

Phone: (+91 11) 4910 5960

Website:  bengaluru.consulate.gov.au

Email:  [email protected]  

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 in Australia

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Mumbai Travel guide | Best Mumbai Travel Tips (2021)

The urban coastal sprawl of Mumbai deserves more time than you might think. Our Mumbai Travel guide covers Mumbai Travel essentials, where to stay, things to do and much more.

Mumbai Travel Guide

Stepping off the train from Pune into the bustle of Fort and Colaba, it felt like I’d come home.

The feeling was not a complete surprise, after all there are plenty of British remnants to be found around Mumbai beyond the red double-decker buses, and London and Mumbai have been compared hundreds of times.

Since first stepping into Mumbai, the city has always had a special hold on me, one that led me to return many times and make it my home for a year, too, after meeting my other half (Ravi), a true Mumbaiker.

Despite our love of Mumbai, for many visitors it’s an overwhelming place – although the crown of India’s largest city has now been nabbed by Delhi (not necessarily a bad thing). Mumbai can be chaotic, crazy, charming and outright frustrating within the same day. It can also be, especially by Indian standards, an expensive city.

With all that said there are not many cities in the world where you can stroll by the ocean, eat delicious street food for under a dollar, rub shoulders with movie stars, party in 5* hotels, and visit a national park within the city limits in the same day.

Mumbai often gets overlooked by visitors to India in favour of the “Golden Triangle” and Rajasthan , but in our view Mumbai is well worth a few days of your time!

ⓘ TIP: Planning a trip to India? Join our free India Travel Facebook group here !

Mumbai: Know Before you Go

Despite our experiences of living in Mumbai, we don’t profess to know everything about this huge and constantly changing city, let alone be able to condense it into a single blog post. Consider the suggestions in this guide as starting points for your explorations, that will make you want to come back and discover more of Mumbai on your next trip to India!

Here are a few things to know specifically about travel in Mumbai. For general advice on preparing for your first trip to India, read our guide to planning a perfect trip to India here !

• What’s in a name? Bombay was re-named to Mumbai in 1995, but you’ll hear a mixture of Mumbai, Mum-bay and Bombay used. Many Mumbaikers still love and are attached to the name Bombay .
• Mumbai is a huge city in terms of size as well as population – you won’t be able to cover all of it. See our suggestions for where to base yourself in the where to stay section.
• Mumbai can be expensive compared to other areas of India, so allow flexibility in your budget accordingly.
• For a unique experience, visit during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival at the end of Monsoon each year, when Lord Ganesh is venerated, brought into homes before being immersed in water at the end of this festival.
• Mumbai is famous for the extremes it exposes – from extreme wealth to extreme hardship, it’s the city of dreams for some and of bad dreams for others – prepare yourself for some culture shock if this is your first Indian city.

What to Wear in Mumbai

As usual, men can get away with jeans and t-shirt (or shorts are fine in Mumbai although Indian men don’t wear them as much) and so not much advice is needed.

What to wear in Mumbai for Women:

Mumbai is less conservative than most other parts of India, and if you’re going out to party in Mumbai you’ll see many party-goers dressed up to the nines. Feel free to do the same, just travel by taxi and not by public transport in your party clothes!

In Mumbai many young women wear western style clothing, skinny jeans are as popular as saris here. Showing arms and shoulders is fine too, but I wouldn’t recommend thin-strappy tops (thick straps are fine) and avoid showing off your cleavage. Personally I always still cover my legs in Mumbai, but I have seen western women walking around Bandra (a bit of an expat enclave) in shorts without a problem.

My go-to outfit in Mumbai in winter is either a t-shirt and skinny jeans or a kurta/ tunic top like this one and leggings / jeans. It’s always handy to have a scarf with you for covering up, temples or in case it gets chilly in the Air Conditioning.

Essentials to Pack for Mumbai

Aside from Mumbai friendly clothing, make sure you have the following essentials for your time in Mumbai and the rest of India:

• Travel Insurance – a MUST for India. We use World Nomads – get a quote & buy yours here .
• Travel adaptors – India uses type C and D plugs. Get a Multi-region adaptor with surge protection to protect your devices too.
• We recommend a cross-body purse or handbag to keep your valuables safe
• A padlock and chain are always handy for securing luggage / locking lockers in hostels, etc
• Your guidebook! We use Lonely Planet ourselves, or check out more India guidebooks here.
• A water filter bottle such as Grayl , or a steripen + refillable water bottle for safe drinking water option. For a review of our favourite options, read more here . Remember to take a spare filter / batteries for steripen!

READ MORE HERE – Our Complete India Packing list

Responsible Travel in Mumbai

Mumbai is truly a city of contrasts – some of the world’s richest live next to those with very little, and it’s somewhat ironic that Dharavi – marketed as Asia’s largest slum has become the number one tourist attraction in India, surpassing even the Taj Mahal.

Slum Tours – Should you Go?

While there are some beneficial projects taking place in Dharavi thanks to tourism, many Mumbaikers would not like their city to be known foremost for its slums. There’s much more to Mumbai than Dharavi. We discuss the ethics of slum tours in Dharavi in detail in this post – if you’re in too much of a hurry to read the ins and outs of the issue, we suggest this:

• Dharavi is very different from most slums. Half of Dharavi is an industrial area, and it is this part which is usually shown during tours, not where people live.
• The ONLY tour company we recommend for Dharavi is Reality Travel & Tours – this is due to their no-photography policy in Dharavi and their consistent reinvestment into the slums .
• Do not go to Dharavi on your own
• Do not go to Dharavi with other tour companies. These are just profiting off peoples’ poverty, as these companies do not reinvest anything into improving conditions in Dharavi.

Find out more about how you can support street kids and those with substandard living conditions in India in our guide to responsible travel in India here .

Like other parts of India, you’ll see that plastic waste is a huge problem in Mumbai – please don’t add to it and avoid any single use plastic while you’re in India. You can read our full guide to how to drink safe water in India without the plastic here !

Best Tours of Mumbai

We highly recommend doing day tours of Mumbai – it helps make the most of your visit, especially if you have limited time, ease you in to the pace of being in Mumbai (fast!), and provides more local jobs by supporting tour guides. Here are some of our favourites:

• Early Morning Tour of Mumbai – My #1 recommendation. Mumbai’s real beauty can be seen before most people are awake, in the calm before the storm. See the under-belly of this huge city by seeing the early morning newspaper sorting, flower & vegetable markets, fish being unloaded at sassoon dock and more. I promise it’s worth the early start! More info & bookings here .
• Elephanta Tour – Head out across the water from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island to visit the UNESCO caves there. This is a great journey in winter (the ferries don’t run during monsoon), and having a guide makes the caves a much better experience as there’s very little written information available there. More info & bookings here .
• Bollywood Tour – Experience Mumbai’s glitz and glamour with a sneak peak at Bollywood (which Mumbai is home to) and see the homes of Mumbai’s rich and famous movie stars! More info & bookings here .
• Public Transportation Sightseeing Tour – If you want to experience the infamous Mumbai Local trains (More on those below) but would prefer a helping hand – this is the one for you. Take in Dadar’s markets, visit the Haji Ali, and get to grips with all of Mumbai’s transport options. More info & bookings here .

READ MORE: Our Favourite India Group Tour Itineraries .

ⓘ TIP:   Travel Insurance is a must for India – we use and recommend World Nomads – Get your quote here !

Different Areas of Mumbai

Although Mumbai is huge, most visitors to the city spend most of their time in Mumbai in “SoBo” (south Bombay) and the upmarket western suburb of Bandra. Mumbai’s beautiful airport is located near Andheri – so if you have an early morning flight from here we recommend staying close to here the night before to avoid the stressful Mumbai traffic.

You’ll likely find yourself spending most of your time in south Mumbai and Bandra / Western suburbs, especially if it’s your first trip to Mumbai.

Where to Stay in Mumbai

These are our favourite hotels in Mumbai. If you’re looking for hostels or budget options , we recommend the ones in Bandra listed below. Budget hotels around Fort, Churchgate and near VT station tend to be the kind that attract a more dubious crowd rather than backpackers. For single women travelling and staying in hostels, we always recommend booking a female only dorm (not a mixed one) .

Colaba Area

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel – One of the most famous hotels in the world, the iconic Taj is an experience not to be missed. The Taj is located just across from the Gateway of India off Colaba Causeway. There are often promotions available for the “tower rooms” (next to the main “palace” hotel building). Check rates & availability here for the Palace rooms or here for the Tower rooms !

Abode Bombay – Just a two minute stroll from the Gateway of India in Colaba near the Regal Cinema, I fell in love with this historic boutique hotel that was once the residence of Siegfried Sassoon. They have rooms for different price points and have plenty of responsible measures in place. Highly recommended. Check rates & availability here !

Residency Hotel Fort is a comfortable mid-range option that gets good reviews – handy if you want to be close to the train station. Check rates & availability here !

Marine Drive & Churchgate Area

InterContinental Marine Drive is the smartest hotel along Marine Drive (worth it for the roof-top pool with ocean views alone!), at the southern end of the “queen’s necklace” and within walking distance to churchgate station. Check rates & availability here !

Ferreira House is a small, historic homestay in a heritage south Bombay home, just a short stroll from Marine Drive. Check rates & availability here !

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Bandra & Western Suburbs

Taj Lands End is a beautiful contemporary high-end hotel located across from Bandra Fort and Bandstand, complete with ocean views. Check rates & availability here !

Sofitel BKC is more of a business hotel, located close to the Bandra Kurla Complex where many companies are located, so a good option if you’re extending a work trip. Check rates & availability here !

Marriott Juhu Beach is located to the north of Bandra right along Juhu beach, a good family-friendly option with ocean views. Check rates & availability here .

Hostels / Budget Hotels in Bandra

There are many “mid-range” non descriptive, un-exciting hotels with dubious reviews in Bandra. We don’t recommend those. Instead if you’re looking for comfortable and modest accommodation, we suggest a private room in one of the modern & clean hostels below:

• Cohostel is centrally located near Bandra bandstand and gets great reviews. Check rates & availability here .
• Horn ok Please Hostel scores points for the name and gets great reviews. Also located in Bandra West. Check rates & availability here .

Our Recommended Things to Do in Mumbai

There’s a lot to pack in to any stay in Mumbai! If you have limited time and a lot you want to see, taking a private tour of Mumbai can help pack a bit more in to a shorter time. Otherwise… you’ll just have to come back!

It makes sense to break things up into areas – aim to a half-day exploring Colaba after a trip to Elephanta for instance, or one day in south Mumbai and another exploring Dadar and Bandra. It can be easy to clock up miles exploring Mumbai, so remember to pack your comfortable walking shoes! If you’re going on public transport, we recommend closed shoes, as your feet may get stepped on.

Things to do in South Bombay

Colaba Walking Tour. Take a couple of hours to wander at your own pace taking in the main sights or book a walking tour with a guide .

Gateway of India. Turn up early for the best light for photos – this monument which was built by the British Raj in 1924 was the arrival point for dignitaries to Mumbai, and also the point from which British troops left India after independence in 1948. It’s now the departure point for ferries to Elephanta Island, and to the beach resort of Ali Bagh along the Maharashtrian coast.

Taj Mahal Hotel. If you’re not staying here, you can walk into the lobby of the Taj Mahal hotel for a look around (if you’re dressed nicely that is), go for a drink in the bar, or to take afternoon tea. The afternoon tea is overpriced and not the best (it’s served buffet style) but for the experience it’s still worth it, especially if you luck out and get a window seat, like I did.

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad (Formerly Victoria & Albert) Museum . North of the Gateway, towards CSMT station, you’ll walk past what used to be called the Albert Museum surrounded by lush tropical gardens. Built in 1872, this is a fine architectural piece. The museum is home to collections of manuscripts, artefacts, costumes and has recently been restored by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.

Colaba Causeway has a vibrant market (you’ll have to haggle hard for a good deal here) that you walk through.

Nariman Point , next to Cuffe Parade and right at the southern end of Marine Drive is home to Colaba’s business district, the national centre for performing arts, and Piramal Art Gallery which is home to different modern arts.

Art District in Fort – The area between Colaba and CSMT station is known as the Art District and is home to the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Jehangir Art Gallery, and the Institute of Contemporary Indian Arts. Look up exhibitions ahead of time, or drop in to cool down in the AC and enjoy India’s best art scene. You can also wander and look at the Horniman Circle & Asiatic Society .

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – Known as CSMT, Mumbai’s iconic railway station has changed names a few times over the years, from “Victoria Terminus” or “VT” as it is still affectionately known, and is one of the architectural highlights of Mumbai. Don’t miss out on going inside and looking up to admire the beautiful ceilings of the old booking hall.

Marine Drive & the “Queen’s Necklace ” – Named after its streetlights at night which are said to mimic a string of pearls alongside the Arabian sea – Marine Drive is the go-to point for couples and anyone wanting to take a stroll along Mumbai’s oceanfront for some fresh(er) air. At the northern end, Chowpatty beach is full of groups of friends and some streetfood vendors come evening. A great spot for people watching, but don’t even think about taking a dip in the (highly polluted) water!

Haji Ali Dargah – This iconic mosque is on an island off the coast of Worli, it’s also the tomb of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who was a Sufi saint and a wealthy merchant originally from Uzbekistan. Bukhari gave up his belongings and travelled the world before settling in Mumbai. The Mosque is under constant repair given the battering it gets from the ocean.

Dadar is where south Mumbai meets the rest of the city and the volume increases a notch as tuk-tuks join the mix (tuk-tuks aren’t allowed south of Dadar). It’s an important junction for the local train lines as western and central lines meet here, and also a stone’s throw from Dharavi, one of Mumbai’s largest slum areas.

Dadar Flower Market – p hool gully (which means flower market) is a bold display of colour in bustling Mumbai, and the best place to buy flowers in the city for wholesalers. Come early in the morning to see the market coming to life and the famous auctions taking place.

Shri Siddhivanayak Temple – This grand and opulent temple near Dadar is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Ganesh, who represents prosperity, health and knowledge. Bollywood moviestars pay their respects here, and the temple is said to be one of the richest in India.

Dharavi – per our notes at the beginning of this post, we don’t recommend visiting Dharavi without a guide, or with just any guide or tour company. The arguments around slum tourism are emotional and complex – we do not support “poverty porn” which essentially is what many of the tours that allow you to take photos are. There is an argument though, that when done right, responsible tourism in slum areas that gives back to the community within the slums can be a positive thing. For that reason if you go to Dharavi, go with Reality Travel .

Bandra Fort & Bandra Bandstand – Make for a popular sunset spot that looks out over the impressive Bandra-Worli sea link bridge. The proper name for Bandra Fort is “Castello de Aguada” – the fort was built in 1640 by the Portuguese. The main attraction is for photos overlooking the bridge behind and general people-watching.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount (also known as Mount Mary Church) is up the hill from Bandra Bandstand, and one of the few Catholic churches in Mumbai. Every September, the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated here, known locally as the “Bandra Fair” and attracting people from all around.

Beyond the seaside walks and history, Bandra (along with neighbouring Khar) is known as Mumbai’s trendiest (and priciest) neighbourhood, with any number of hip bars and eateries, interesting shopping options and art galleries that are opening up. Some of our favourite spots to eat are below, or read this article for some hints on the hotspots .

Other Suburbs

Sanjay Gandhi National Park – This is an 87 square km national park in the heart of Mumbai’s suburban sprawl – home to leopards, birdlife, monkeys, spotted deer and the Kanheri caves. It makes for a beautiful alternative side of the city to explore and trek in. The main park entrance is in Borivali.

What & Where to Eat in Mumbai

Mumbai street food.

You can’t visit Mumbai without sampling its amazing (and cheap) street food – if you’re nervous about getting sick then you can wait a few days before digging in (until your stomach has adjusted), stick to stalls that are busy (therefore have a faster turnover of food), stick to hot food, or you could take a street food tour .

Some quintessential Mumbai street food you won’t want to miss:

• Vada Pav – Mumbai’s answer to the veggie burger (but far more delicious!). A spiced potato pattie fried with chickpea batter (vada) is served in a fresh bun (pav), chilli and fresh chutneys such as tamarind chutney (sweet, red), coriander chutney (spicy, green) or coconut chutney (white, variably spicy). Costs around 15 rupees. Yum!
• Pav Bhaji – A staple of Bombay street food, toasted buttered fresh buns (pav) are served with a smashed vegetable curry, accompanied by dollops of butter, raw onion and coriander. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll want lots more! Costs around 40 rupees. If you’re watching your figure, you can request less/no butter but it doesn’t taste as good…
• Bombay Sandwich – These yummy grilled veggie sandwiches are perfect for a pre-dinner snack, and the best ones are outside the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Fort. Served with chutneys. Costs around 20 rupees.

Our Favourite Places to Eat in Mumbai

• Delhi Durbar (Colaba) – Famous for its non-veg options such as its Butter Chicken and Biryani
• Leopold’s (Colaba) – it’s overpriced and touristy, but no visit to Mumbai would be complete without a look in at Shantaram’s favourite hang out…
• Brittania & Co Parsi Cafe (Fort) – One of the top rated Parsi (Iranian) cafes in Mumbai
• Gaylord (Churchgate) – Delicious bakery and European style bistro meets pan-Indian cuisine
• Aaram Vada Pav (CSMT Station) – Great place to get your Vada Pav fix
• Cannon Pav Bhaji (CSMT Station) – For if you have any space after your Vada Pav
• Gajalee (Dadar) – This restaurant group (with several locations in Mumbai) consistently wins awards for its seafood
• Jay Shri Krishna Dairy Farm LASSI (Dadar West) – This narrow thin room is home to some of Mumbai’s most delicious lassi!
• C andies (Bandra) – This Portugese style villa restaurant is ever popular
• Goa – Portugesa (Bandra) – serves up delicious Goan style fish curries

Getting Around Mumbai

The quintessential way to get around Mumbai is on its local trains – but, we warn you, they are not for the faint hearted.

Local Trains

These are the fastest way to get up/down town, running up and down Mumbai from Churchgate (Western Line) and CSMT (Central and Harbour Lines). Trust us, though, that it is a very BAD idea to take these during rush hour, which in Mumbai covers anything between 6am – 10am going towards central Mumbai, and in the evening out of Mumbai.

People don’t sit on top of the trains anymore, thankfully, but there is plenty of dangerous hanging out of doors that goes on, and it’s a serious matter. Mumbaikers die in the crush to get to work every day.

If you decide to take the local trains in Mumbai, this is our advice (after having taken many of them):

• If you’re female, get in the Ladies carriage. It’s generally less crowded and you don’t have to worry about wandering paws (although keep an eye on your belongings)
• Don’t travel during rush hour
• Consider buying a first class ticket – the carriages are much quieter as the ticket is more than double the price
• Don’t attempt to get on or off the train while it’s still moving – no matter how keen your fellow passengers may be to take you down with them
• Never hang out of the door. If you’re near the door way – hold on tight to a pole!
• If it’s too busy / crowded for you then get off at the next station and take a cab instead.

On 3 Wheels

Tuktuks, Auto’s or 3-wheelers roam the city but only as far south as Dadar, they don’t operate in Colaba, Fort or the surroundings. In suburban Mumbai, most drivers will use their meters, but if you come across one who says his meter is not working, try to find another.

Mumbai Taxis

These can be found everywhere and are plentiful, as a tourist the main struggle is getting the drivers to use their meter. When arriving at one of Mumbai’s train stations I suggest using the pre-paid taxi line (where you pay in advance and don’t hand over the receipt to your driver until you’ve reached your destination) to avoid hassle.

Uber and OLA

A godsend in Mumbai if you’re fed up with Taxi drivers who overcharge, OLA and Uber are cheap and efficient. They’re just not immune to the Mumbai traffic.

Mumbai has a bus network but we don’t recommend it – the traffic moves slowly, buses are jam packed, and it’s the least efficient way to get around.

Travel in Mumbai FAQ’s

When is the best time to visit mumbai.

We recommend visiting Mumbai between September (if planning to come for Ganesh Chaturthi) or October through to March. This is winter in Mumbai and the most pleasant weather – evenings are cool, the humidity is lower, and in January Mumbaikers are even known to get their sweaters out. Enjoy it while it lasts.

We don’t recommend April – September. In April and May the humidity and heat climb to make Mumbai a little suffocating, and once the Monsoon breaks in June through to September the city is prone to flooding and transport chaos.

Is Mumbai Safe to Visit?

Depending on your perspective, Mumbai is a generally safe (or even very safe) city. You’d have to be unlucky to have anything untoward happen to you here. The main risk in Mumbai for visitors is spending more money than you planned to on Mumbai’s trendy restaurants and bars!

Mumbai is much more open for women travellers than say Delhi , and it’s normal to see women moving around by themselves late into the night. I’ve personally gone out alone in Mumbai (Colaba, Bandra, Marine Drive etc) and felt very safe.

Part of the reason for me that I feel at home in Mumbai is because I feel safe to do what I want, without having to think too much about it – although we always recommend following our tips for solo female travellers .

We do not recommend visiting slum areas on your own (see more on essential info on slum tourism below), and if you’re travelling around very late it’s better to take a taxi, or have the UBER or OLA app downloaded on your phone. Ladies can find more tips on what to wear in Mumbai below, too.

Where are the Best Places to Visit in Mumbai?

We recommend first time visitors to base themselves in the Colaba area of Mumbai which is closest to the main attractions.

Some of our favourite “must sees” in Mumbai include:

– The Taj Mahal Hotel – Elephanta Caves – Dadar Flower Market – Marine Drive & Chowpatty Beach

This is just a small taster – scroll to our “things to do” section above!

How Long should I Stay in Mumbai For?

There’s enough to keep you busy in Mumbai for months, or even years! But in reality, most visitors spend 2-4 days here to scratch the surface of the city, see some of Mumbai’s highlights and make a plan to return to discover more.

Have you been to Mumbai? Where are your favourite places to visit? Let us know in the comments below!

Read more about travel in India on Soul Travel Blog:

Kerala Travel Guid e

Delhi Travel Guide: How to Survive (and Love) India’s Crazy Capital

Off Beat Goa Travel Guide

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Solo Female Travel in Mumbai

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Travel index

Safety: Safe

Transport: Moderate

Things to do: Interesting

Food: Excellent

Budget: Moderate

Is mumbai worth visiting, solo travel experience.

Mumbai is the city that never sleeps of Asia. My heart got stuck over there. As a woman, you obviously get a lot of attention, a lot of looks. I found the best way to handle it was to not look back, keep walking straight as if you know the way. I never had any problems worse than that.

Mumbai is incredibly safe for women travelling alone, even during late hours. Best food to try would be Pav Bhaji at Achija, Chocolate shake at Bachelors. Use auto for local transportation as they are fairly priced.

Its an amazing place thats so fast paced you’d mot know where you day goes. Its very safe for women at all time of the day. The city takes time to get used to and the travel takes longer than you’ll ever assume it would.

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