Gateway of India
Basalt arch on the Mumbai waterfront, built in the early 20th century to mark a royal visit. It is a busy gathering place and the departure point for boats to Elephanta Island.
Mumbai
Mumbai, the financial and film capital of India, is known for colonial-era buildings, the Gateway of India and the Marine Drive seafront.
Attractive locations
Elephanta Caves
UNESCO-listed rock-cut Hindu cave temples on an island in Mumbai Harbour, reached by ferry. Huge carved panels of Shiva, including a three-faced figure, fill the main cave.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Major museum in a domed Indo-Saracenic building near the Gateway of India. Galleries hold sculpture, miniature paintings, decorative arts and natural history, set around a garden.
Haji Ali Dargah
Mosque and tomb on a small islet off Worli, linked to the shore by a causeway that floods at high tide. Pilgrims of many faiths visit; modest dress and covered heads are expected.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Large forest park within the city's northern suburbs, with hills, lakes, walking trails and wildlife including leopards and many birds. It is a rare stretch of dense woodland inside a big city.
Kanheri Caves
Group of ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves in the forested hills of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, with carved halls, stupas and monks' cells. Reaching them involves a walk through woodland.
Siddhivinayak Temple
Well-known Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha in Prabhadevi. It draws large crowds of worshippers, especially on Tuesdays, and is an active place of prayer.
Girgaum Chowpatty
Public beach at the northern end of Marine Drive, popular for evening walks and street snacks such as bhel puri. It is also where large Ganesh festival immersions take place.
Crawford Market
Old covered market in a Victorian Gothic building with carved friezes, selling fruit, spices, dry goods and sweets. It is busy, noisy and full of local colour.
Mani Bhavan
Modest house where Mahatma Gandhi stayed when in Mumbai, now a museum and library about his life and ideas. Rooms are kept as they were, with his spinning wheel and photographs.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Grand Victorian Gothic railway station of domes, turrets and arches, still busy with commuters. Its richly decorated front and main hall are among the city's best-known sights.
Marine Drive
Curved seafront boulevard along Back Bay, lined with art deco buildings. Locals walk and sit on the sea wall at sunset, which gave it the nickname Queen's Necklace.
Airports
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport BOM
It is about 2 km in a straight line from Mumbai.
Navi Mumbai International Airport NMI
It is about 22 km in a straight line from Mumbai.
Pune International Airport PNQ
It is about 123 km in a straight line from Mumbai.
Getting around
From Mumbai airport
Both terminals have metered taxis, app-based cabs (Ola, Uber and Rapido) and car rentals, according to Mumbai's airport website, and a free shuttle connects Terminal 1 with Terminal 2. BEST bus 312 from Terminal 1, plus buses 321 and 308 from Terminal 2, go to Vile Parle (East) and Andheri (East) railway stations. Mumbai has two airports a considerable distance apart, UK advice notes, so check which one you use.
- Source: Mumbai International Airport (CSMIA): Transport (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: UK FCDO travel advice: India, safety and security (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Local trains and BEST buses
Local trains give extensive connectivity within Mumbai, says Maharashtra Tourism, with the suburbs strung along the Western, Central and Harbour railway lines and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mumbai Central as key stations. Buses run by the BEST undertaking cover Brihanmumbai, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, Bhayander and up to Thane. Autos and taxis also operate within the city.
- Source: Maharashtra Tourism: Mumbai Suburban (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Source: BEST Undertaking (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Scams and safe taxis
Taxis and cabs at the airport
Mumbai airport's transport page says passengers can choose metered taxis, app-based cabs or car rentals, with pick-up points at both terminals. Black-and-yellow taxis are the metered option; ask the driver to use the meter.
- Source: Mumbai International Airport (CSMIA): Transport (checked 4 Nov 2026)
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan23.2 °C0 mm
- Feb25.7 °C2 mm
- Mar28.7 °C5 mm
- Apr30.7 °C3 mm
- May31.2 °C22 mm
- Jun28.7 °C535 mm
- Jul26.6 °C834 mm
- Aug26.1 °C606 mm
- Sep26.2 °C376 mm
- Oct26.2 °C104 mm
- Nov24.6 °C17 mm
- Dec23.3 °C5 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Apr. Wettest months: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Costs
Prices here are about 23% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
religious
Ganesh Chaturthi
Mumbai's biggest festival lasts ten days and is filled with processions for Ganesh.
Who can help
Emergency
112 is the national emergency number (old numbers 100 police, 101 fire, 102 ambulance may also work).
local government
Ministry of Tourism tourist helpline (Government of India)
Helps with: National tourist helpline of the Ministry of Tourism. It gives travel and tourism information and advises callers in distress while travelling in India, alerting authorities if needed.
Who qualifies: Domestic and international tourists in India.
Phone: 1800111363
ngo
Indian Red Cross Society, National Headquarters
Helps with: India's national Red Cross society. The national headquarters in New Delhi lists a main phone line and email, and runs a blood centre with its own enquiry line.
Who qualifies: People in India seeking Red Cross services or information.
Phone: +91-11 23716441
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1 Red Cross Road, New Delhi 110001
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) India
Helps with: The UN migration agency, working in India since 2001. Its work covers labour migration, counter-trafficking, assisted voluntary return and reintegration, and support for migrants.
Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by trafficking or labour migration issues. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +91 11 24100026
Email: [email protected]
Address: UNESCO House, Ground Floor, 1 San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
embassy
Diplomatic missions in India (Ministry of External Affairs)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Ministry's homepage links to a Diplomatic Missions in India section under Foreign Relations.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own country's embassy or high commission.
local government
Emergency number 112 (police, ambulance and fire)
Helps with: Reaches the police, ambulance and fire services in India, with support in English, Hindi and other languages. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 112