Flights to Mumbai

Fascinating Mumbai

Mumbai is one of the world's largest cities and the entertainment and commercial hub of India. The fast paced lifestyle and interesting sights make it a sought after holiday spot.

Choosing the right time

Mumbai has a tropical climate and can get very hot.  The Monsoon season usually lasts from June until September. The best time to visit is in the winter (November-February), when you can expect temperatures not over 30°C during the day and dropping to not below 17°C at night. The famous Holi festival takes place during the full moon in March. In August and September, during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, you can expect 10 days of celebrations and processions. Diwali is the festival of lights, celebrated in October with fireworks and lights.

Mumbai: the basics

You'll need a visa to travel to India. These are available from the Indian High Commission. It's also important to ensure that you have the necessary vaccines and boosters. Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Typhoid are all recommended. During the monsoon season, Cholera may be needed. Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies are also suggested. You should avoid drinking the tap water in India. Peel fruit and vegetables before eating and choose boiled or fried food rather than eating them fresh. Happily, the cost of living in India is much lower than in Britain, and you can get an inexpensive meal from about 200 Indian Rupees (Rs) which is roughly 2 Pounds. Unfortunately, the smog in Mumbai can be very unpleasant during the dry season.

Local information regarding transport and accommodation

The best way to travel from the 28 km from Mumbai airport to the city centre is by prepaid taxis, which cost approximately 450 to 600 Rs.

Once in  the city the suburban trains are very crowded during the rush hour so you may want to get buses instead. You will need a smart photo ID card for a day pass on the bus, which costs around 70 rupees. Taking a taxi is not expensive, the minimum fare is Rs21 for the first 1.5 kilometres, then Rs1 for every 100 metres after this. Accommodation in Mumbai is relatively expensive when compared to the rest of India. A dorm room in a hostel costs roughly 250 Rs. Prices for a 3 Star hotel room begin at about 4000 Rs.  A less expensive option is a budget guest house in South Mumbai, Colaba or near railway stations.