Mumbai Budget Guide
How to experience the best of Mumbai on ₹1,500 per day — hostels, street food, local trains, free attractions, and money-saving tips
Mumbai has a reputation as India's most expensive city, but budget travel here is absolutely possible — and incredibly rewarding. With hostel dorms from ₹500/night, legendary street food from ₹15-120 per dish, local train rides for ₹5-15, and dozens of free attractions along the waterfront, you can explore Mumbai on ₹1,500-2,500 per day without missing any of the highlights.
The secret? Mumbai's best experiences are its cheapest. A Marine Drive sunset, a vada pav from a street cart, and a ride on the local train cost almost nothing — yet they are the moments you will remember most.
Budget Tiers
Budget
₹1,500-2,500/day
Hostel dorms, street food, local trains, free attractions. The backpacker experience.
Mid-Range
₹4,000-8,000/day
Budget hotel or private hostel room, restaurant meals, Ola/Uber, paid attractions.
Luxury
₹15,000+/day
5-star hotels like Taj or Oberoi, fine dining, private tours, rooftop bars.
Daily Budget Breakdown (Backpacker)
Free Attractions in Mumbai
Marine Drive
Mumbai's iconic 3.6 km seafront promenade is free to walk day or night. Watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea and stay for the Queen's Necklace lights. The tetrapods along the seawall are perfect seats. Best from 5-7 PM.
Gateway of India
Mumbai's most famous monument costs nothing to visit. The 26-metre basalt arch on the waterfront is stunning at any time but especially atmospheric after dark when illuminated. View the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel from the promenade.
Girgaon Chowpatty Beach
This city beach at the northern end of Marine Drive is free to visit. Watch Mumbai's families at play, try the chaat stalls for cheap eats, and enjoy the sea breeze. The sunset views looking south along Marine Drive are spectacular.
Colaba Causeway
Mumbai's most famous street market is free to browse. Stalls sell everything from clothes and accessories to antiques and books. Practice your bargaining skills — prices can be negotiated down by 40-50%. Window shopping costs nothing.
Bandra Bandstand
The seaside promenade along Bandra's coast is free and beautiful. Walk past celebrity homes, enjoy views of the Sea Link, and visit the nearby Bandra Fort ruins. Carter Road and Hill Road offer window-shopping and people-watching.
Worli Fort
A 17th-century Portuguese fort on a rocky promontory in Worli. Free entry, beautiful sea views, and far fewer tourists than South Mumbai sights. The walk along Worli Seaface leading to the fort is equally enjoyable.
Street Food Prices
Mumbai Street Food
- Vada Pav (Mumbai's burger)₹15-30
- Pav Bhaji₹60-120
- Bhel Puri / Sev Puri₹30-50
- Dosa (South Indian)₹50-100
- Misal Pav₹50-80
- Kebab Roll₹80-150
- Cutting Chai (tea)₹10-20
- Fresh Fruit Juice₹30-60
Money-Saving Food Tips
- Eat where locals eat. Crowded street stalls mean fresh, fast turnover and cheaper prices. If a stall has a queue, the food is good and safe.
- Thali meals are gold. Unlimited vegetarian thalis at local restaurants cost ₹100-200 and include rice, dal, rotis, vegetables, and dessert. Best value meal in Mumbai.
- Irani cafes for breakfast. Historic Irani cafes like Kyani & Co and Britannia serve bun maska and chai for ₹50-80. A Mumbai institution.
- Avoid tourist restaurant markups. Colaba tourist restaurants charge ₹300-500 for the same dishes available at street stalls for ₹50-100.
- Carry a water bottle. Refill from filtered water stations at hostels. Bottled water costs ₹20 per litre at shops.
Budget Transport
Local Trains (₹5-15)
Mumbai's lifeline and by far the cheapest way to cover long distances. A second-class ticket from Churchgate to Borivali (35 km) costs just ₹15. Buy tickets at station counters or the UTS app. Avoid peak hours. The Western Line is most useful for tourists.
BEST Buses (₹6-20)
Mumbai's bus network covers routes that trains do not reach. Non-AC buses cost ₹6-20. AC buses (red) cost ₹20-50. Useful for reaching attractions not near train stations. Bus route 1 (Colaba to CSMT) is popular with tourists. Ask the conductor for help.
Auto-Rickshaws (Metered)
Available only in the suburbs (beyond Bandra on the Western Line, beyond Sion on Central). Run on meters — ₹23 for the first 1.5 km, then ₹16.55 per km. Much cheaper than taxis. Insist on the meter — some drivers try to quote fixed prices.
Ola / Uber (₹150-400)
Available everywhere and most convenient, but the most expensive daily-use option. Typical rides cost ₹150-400 depending on distance and traffic. Ola Auto is cheaper than car rides. Best for late-night travel or when carrying luggage. Split with fellow travelers to reduce costs.
Budget Accommodation
Hostels
₹500-800/night
Zostel (Colaba), Backpacker Panda (Fort), and Cohostel (Andheri) offer clean dorm beds with lockers, Wi-Fi, and social common areas. Book on Hostelworld for best rates. Private rooms available at ₹1,500-2,500.
Budget Hotels
₹1,500-3,000/night
Basic but clean hotel rooms with AC, Wi-Fi, and attached bathroom. Found across Colaba, Fort, Andheri, and Dadar. Check OYO, Treebo, and FabHotels for standardised budget options. Book directly for best rates.
10 Money-Saving Tips
Master the local train. At ₹5-15 per trip, it is 10-50x cheaper than Uber for the same distance. Learn the Western and Central lines.
Eat vada pav for breakfast. At ₹15-30, it is Mumbai's cheapest and most filling breakfast. Available on practically every street corner.
Use UPI payments. Set up Google Pay or PhonePe — UPI is accepted everywhere in Mumbai, even at tiny street stalls. Saves ATM withdrawal fees.
Stay near a train station. Location near a Western or Central line station saves hundreds in daily taxi fares. Colaba, Fort, and Dadar are ideal.
Bargain at Colaba Causeway. Start at 40-50% of the asking price. Walk away if the price is too high — vendors often call you back. Never pay the first price.
Visit free attractions first. Marine Drive, Gateway of India, Colaba, Bandra Bandstand, and the Fort heritage district cost nothing and are Mumbai's biggest highlights.
Eat unlimited thalis. Local restaurants serve unlimited vegetarian thalis for ₹100-200. You get rice, rotis, dal, sabzi, and dessert — all you can eat.
Buy a Mumbai Darshan bus ticket. MTDC runs a sightseeing bus (₹200-400) covering major attractions in one day. Cheaper than individual transport between sites.
Get a Jio or Airtel SIM at the airport. Prepaid SIMs with data start at ₹199 for 28 days. Essential for maps, Ola/Uber, UPI payments, and staying connected.
Visit during shoulder season. October-November and February-March offer good weather with lower hotel prices than peak December-January.
Mumbai Budget Travel FAQs
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