Mumbai Travel Tips

Mumbai's winter season (October-March) brings comfortable temperatures between 18-32°C, low humidity, and zero rainfall. December and January are the most pleasant months. The city is alive with festivals, outdoor events, and perfect weather for walking tours. This is peak tourist season, so book accommodation in advance.

Mumbai's monsoon is legendary — and not always in a good way. Heavy downpours cause flooding, traffic gridlocks, and flight delays. Streets can flood knee-deep in hours. That said, the monsoon has a dramatic beauty: the city turns lush green, waterfalls appear in the Western Ghats, and the locals celebrate with pakoras and cutting chai. Come prepared or avoid entirely.

The local train is Mumbai's lifeline. Key rules: stand aside to let passengers exit before boarding, don't block doorways, keep your belongings close, use ladies compartments if you're a woman, upgrade to first-class for comfort (₹75-150), and NEVER ride during peak hours (8-11 AM, 5-9 PM) as a tourist — the crush is genuine and can be dangerous for the uninitiated.

Mumbai's street food is legendary and generally safe if you follow the rules: choose busy stalls with high turnover, start with cooked items (vada pav, pav bhaji) before raw (bhel puri, panipuri), avoid ice from street vendors, carry hand sanitiser, and drink only bottled water. The famous street food areas — Juhu Beach, Chowpatty, Mohammad Ali Road — have stalls operating for decades with loyal followings.

Tipping is appreciated but not as formalised as in Western countries. Restaurant meals: 10% or round up the bill (some add a service charge — check before tipping double). Hotel porters: ₹50-100. Taxi/auto: round up to the nearest ₹10. Tour guides: ₹200-500 for a full day. Delivery drivers: ₹20-50. Do not tip at street food stalls or fast food counters.

Get a Jio or Airtel SIM at the airport immediately upon arrival. Prepaid tourist plans start at ₹199 for 28 days with data. You need data for Ola/Uber, Google Maps, UPI payments, and staying connected. Jio offers the best 4G/5G coverage in Mumbai. Bring your passport for registration. The SIM activates within a few hours.

Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples (Siddhivinayak, Mahalaxmi), mosques (Haji Ali Dargah), and churches (Mount Mary). Remove shoes before entering temples and mosques. Some sites provide cover-ups but bringing your own is more reliable. Mumbai is generally liberal about clothing, but religious sites require respect.

Bargaining is expected at street markets like Colaba Causeway, Crawford Market, and Linking Road. Start at 40-50% of the asking price and negotiate up. Walk away if the price is too high — vendors often call you back. Be friendly and smile. NEVER bargain at fixed-price shops, malls, or restaurants. Ask before bargaining if unsure.

Tap water in Mumbai is NOT safe to drink. Always buy sealed bottled water (₹20 per litre at shops). Check the seal is intact. Use bottled water for brushing teeth if you have a sensitive stomach. Most hotels and restaurants serve filtered or bottled water. Avoid ice from street vendors — restaurants generally use filtered ice, but ask if unsure.

English is widely spoken in Mumbai — you will rarely face a language barrier in tourist areas, restaurants, hotels, and shops. Hindi is the most common spoken language. Marathi is the official state language and appreciated if you learn basic phrases. Auto/taxi drivers may have limited English — save your destination address in Hindi on your phone.

The Indian Rupee (INR/₹) is the currency. UPI digital payments are accepted almost everywhere — even tiny street stalls display QR codes. Credit cards work at hotels, malls, and upscale restaurants. ATMs are everywhere but charge ₹200-250 per international withdrawal. Carry ₹1,000-2,000 in cash for small purchases, autos, and tips.

Mumbai is one of India's safest major cities. Violent crime against tourists is very rare. The main concerns are pickpocketing in crowded trains and markets, traffic accidents (always look both ways and be cautious), and scams like overcharging tourists. Use Ola/Uber for night transport, keep valuables in hotel safes, and trust your instincts.

Mumbai traffic is legendary for a reason. A 10 km journey can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours depending on time and route. Rush hours (8-11 AM, 5-9 PM) are especially brutal. Monsoon rain compounds the problem. Plan your day around traffic: travel during off-peak hours (10 AM - 4 PM) and stay within your neighbourhood during rush hour.

If visiting during Ganesh Chaturthi (August-September), you will witness Mumbai's most spectacular festival. Enormous Ganesh idols are paraded through streets with music, dancing, and colour before being immersed in the sea. The energy is electric. Diwali (October-November) transforms the city with lights and fireworks. Holi (March) is a riot of colour.

Photography is generally welcome at tourist sites but always ask permission at religious sites, especially mosques. Photography is prohibited inside some temples and the Elephanta Caves (tripods not allowed). Always ask before photographing people, especially in Dharavi or residential areas. Drones require permits and are restricted in most of Mumbai.