Colaba
First-timersNear the Gateway.
Mumbai city guide
Things To Do In Mumbai
India's commercial capital: Victorian Gothic railway stations, the Gateway of India, Bollywood, sunset on Marine Drive and the best street food in the country.
73
Hostels in the city
6.7
Average, from 3,593 reviews
2
UNESCO sites in the city
€1
A vada pav
20m+
People
The maximum city
Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is India's biggest city and its financial and film capital. The British built a city of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco buildings in the south, and the Victorian and Art Deco ensembles, along with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It is a city of extremes, with some of Asia's richest neighbourhoods beside Dharavi, one of its largest informal settlements.
Mumbai is expensive for India, but its energy, food and sea front make it worth three days.
Where to stay
Stay in Colaba or Fort in the south, or Bandra for bars and cafés.
Fort
ArchitectureVictorian Mumbai.
Bandra
NightlifeBars and cafés.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 10 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Mumbai
Mumbai, India's biggest city and its financial and film capital, is a city of Victorian Gothic architecture, Art Deco seafronts, slums, skyscrapers and endless energy.
The Gateway of India, built for the visit of King George V in 1911, faces the harbour beside the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a Victorian Gothic railway station and UNESCO site, is one of the world's grandest train stations. The Victorian and Art Deco buildings of the Fort and Marine Drive area are also UNESCO-listed.
Walk Marine Drive, the 'Queen's Necklace', at sunset. Ferries from the Gateway go to Elephanta Island, where rock-cut caves hold sixth-century carvings of Shiva, including a three-headed bust.
The Dhobi Ghat is a huge open-air laundry, and Dharavi, one of Asia's largest informal settlements, is a hub of small industry; visit only on a responsible tour run by local residents, with no photography of people.
Bandra, in the north, has street art, cafés and the seafront promenade at Bandstand. Crawford Market and the Chor Bazaar are classic bazaars.
Free things
Free things to do in Mumbai
The Gateway of India, Marine Drive at sunset, CSMT from outside and the Fort area's architecture are free. Haji Ali Dargah, a mosque on an islet reached by a causeway, is free.
Bandra's street art and promenade, and Crawford Market, cost nothing.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Mumbai
Mumbai's street food is legendary. Vada pav, a spiced potato fritter in a bun, is the city's snack. Pav bhaji, a spiced vegetable mash with buttered bread, and bhel puri, puffed rice with chutneys, are eaten on Chowpatty Beach. Irani cafés serve bun maska and chai.
Seafood, in Malvani and Konkani styles, is excellent. A street meal is €1 to €3; a restaurant meal €6 to €15.
Nightlife
Going out in Mumbai
Mumbai has India's best nightlife: bars and clubs in Bandra, Lower Parel and Colaba, rooftop bars, and craft breweries. Leopold Cafe in Colaba is a backpacker institution.
A beer is €3 to €7.
Getting around
Getting around Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is in the north; the new Navi Mumbai airport opened in 2025.
The suburban local trains are the city's lifeline, with women's carriages; avoid rush hours. The Metro lines, including the underground Aqua Line, and Uber and Ola cover much of the city.
Trains and flights reach Goa, Delhi and the rest of India.
Costs
What Mumbai costs
Mumbai is the most expensive city in India. Dorms start around €10 and a careful day is €25 to €40.
The Elephanta ferry is a few euros, plus the cave entry. A local train ride costs pennies.
The currency is the rupee (INR), at roughly 95 to 100 rupees to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. UPI phone payments are everywhere, and some apps now accept foreign cards; carry cash for small shops, autos and markets.
Safety
Staying safe in Mumbai
Mumbai is generally safe. Local trains are extremely crowded at rush hour; avoid them then, and use women's carriages.
In Dharavi, visit only with responsible tours run by residents. Monsoon rains, from June to September, cause flooding.
Women travellers often face staring and comments, and sometimes groping in crowds; dress conservatively, use women's carriages on metros and trains, and book cabs through apps. Drink only bottled or filtered water, and be wary of raw salads and ice; stomach upsets are common.
Most visitors need an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before travel. Since 1 April 2026, all foreign nationals flying in must also submit the free e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing; screenshot or download the QR code, as it cannot be retrieved later.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Mumbai
Caves and hills.
Elephanta Caves
Rock-cut Shiva temples.
Kanheri Caves
Buddhist caves in a national park.
Lonavala
Hills and forts.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Ganesh Chaturthi is Mumbai's great festival.
Staff pick
18–19 December
Sunburn Festival
Sunburn Festival, held annually in Goa, India, is a premier electronic dance music event that draws thousands of music enthusiasts from around the world.…
Staff pick
17–18 October
GamingCon Bharat
GamingCon Bharat in Mumbai, India, is the country’s premier gaming convention, uniting gamers, developers, esports professionals, and industry leaders under one roof. The event…
Staff pick
18–20 December
Sunburn Festival
Sunburn Festival brings the energy of world-class electronic dance music to Mumbai, Indi. With renowned artists, the stage, attendees can expect electrifying performances, cutting-edge…
9–11 October
ID Mumbai
India Design ID returns to Mumbai for its third edition from October 9 to 11, 2026, showcasing leading voices in architecture, interiors, craft, collectible…
15–20 October
Dome Dandiya Nites
Mumbai's iconic Dome at SVP Stadium becomes a massive garba arena for Navratri, drawing thousands of dandiya enthusiasts ready to dance through the night.…
20 October
Showglitz Navratri Utsav Ft. Falguni Pathak
Falguni Pathak headlines this Navratri celebration at Korakendra Ground, bringing her signature garba energy to one of Mumbai's biggest dandiya events. You will find…
13–14 November
DGTL
DGTL Mumbai 2026 returns with its signature blend of music, art, and sustainability. You’ll experience electronic dance music and techno in a vibrant open-air…
21 November
Anyma
Anyma’s brand-new ÆDEN audiovisual show will take place at Mumbai’s historic Mahalaxmi Racecourse on November 21, 2026. The live show features a fully immersive…
Hostels
Where to stay in Mumbai
The top-rated places to stay in Mumbai right now, live from Hostelworld.
Hammock Hostels
Dorms from €11 a night
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Locomo Hostel OG - Stay | Work | Eat
Dorms from €6 a night
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Nap Manor Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
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Hostel Mantra
Dorms from €7 a night
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Namastey Mumbai Backpackers
Dorms from €8 a night
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Happinest - The Backpacker's Hostel
Dorms from €8 a night
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Forrest Hostels
Dorms from €6 a night
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Sustainable
Locomo Hostel Express - Stay | Work | Eat
Dorms from €13 a night
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Backpacker Cowies
Dorms from €7 a night
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Zostel Mumbai
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to February. The monsoon is heavy.
Jan
Peak
Feb
Kala Ghoda
Mar
Good
Apr
Hot
May
Hot
Jun
Monsoon
Jul
Monsoon
Aug
Monsoon
Sep
Ganesh Chaturthi
Oct
Humid
Nov
Good
Dec
Peak
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupees locally; these are euro equivalents.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Mumbai travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Should I visit Dharavi?
Only on a responsible tour run by residents, without photographing people.
How do I get to Elephanta?
By ferry from the Gateway of India, about an hour.
Are the local trains safe?
Yes, but avoid rush hours and use women's carriages.
What should I eat?
Vada pav and pav bhaji.
How many days do you need?
Three.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February.
Is it expensive?
The most expensive city in India, especially for beds.
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