What currency is used in Mumbai?

Mumbai uses the Indian rupee (INR).

How much does a day in Mumbai cost?

Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-130 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Mumbai?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Mumbai without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Mumbai travel guide

India

India's restless financial capital, where Victorian Gothic stations and Art Deco seafronts sit beside markets and fishing villages. Life here moves fast, and the city's food and film culture keep pace.

Essentials

Language: Marathi and Hindi, with English widely spoken
Currency: Indian rupee (INR)
Plugs: Type C, D and M, 230 V
Emergency number: 112
Tipping: Around 10% is usual in sit-down restaurants if no service charge has been added; small tips for drivers and hotel staff are appreciated.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $25-40, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $70-130, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Mumbai

Colaba: the Gateway of India, Causeway market stalls and plenty of places to stay.
Kala Ghoda: galleries, museums and restored heritage buildings in the old Fort area.
Bandra: seafront promenades, street art and a lively café and bar scene in the suburbs.

Getting around Mumbai

Suburban trains are the fastest way north and south but get extremely crowded at rush hour; most have women-only carriages. Taxis, ride-hailing apps and, beyond the southern centre, auto-rickshaws fill the gaps.

Best time to visit Mumbai

November to February, after the heavy June to September monsoon.

Top things to do in Mumbai

Admire the Gothic stonework of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Look down on the open-air laundry at Dhobi Ghat from Mahalaxmi bridge
Visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, the city's main museum
Walk the causeway to Haji Ali Dargah at low tide
Find the quiet stepped water tank at Banganga in Malabar Hill

What to eat in Mumbai

Vada pav: a spiced potato fritter in a soft bun, the city's favourite snack
Pav bhaji: buttery mashed vegetable curry with toasted bread rolls
Bhel puri: puffed rice tossed with chutneys, onion and sev, sold on Chowpatty Beach
Bun maska: a buttered bun dunked in chai at an old Irani café

Day trips from Mumbai

Elephanta Caves: rock-cut Shiva temples on an island, about an hour by ferry from the Gateway of India
Kanheri Caves: Buddhist caves inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, about 90 minutes north
Lonavala: a hill station in the Western Ghats, green in the monsoon, about two to three hours by train

Local etiquette

Dress modestly and remove your shoes at temples and mosques, and cover your head at Haji Ali. On trains, let people off before you push on.

Staying connected

Jio, Airtel and Vi sell local SIMs, which need a passport and photo and can take a few hours to activate, so many visitors use an eSIM instead; Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés.

Staying safe

Pickpocketing is common on crowded trains and at stations, and you should never ride in or hang from open train doors. Monsoon downpours can flood streets and stop transport for hours.

A local tip

Stroll Marine Drive at dusk, when the curve of streetlights comes on along the bay.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Mumbai on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Mumbai for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Mumbai, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Mumbai

What currency is used in Mumbai?: Mumbai uses the Indian rupee (INR).
What is the emergency number in Mumbai?: In Mumbai, call 112.
When is the best time to visit Mumbai?: November to February, after the heavy June to September monsoon.
How much does a day in Mumbai cost?: Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-130 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Mumbai?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Mumbai without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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