How many days · Mumbai · India
How many days do you need in Mumbai?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Mumbai, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the Gateway of India, Colaba, Kala Ghoda, CSMT and Marine Drive, plus a morning at Elephanta. Four days adds Bandra, Haji Ali, Banganga, Dhobi Ghat and a food walk; add more for Lonavala, Matheran or the Ellora and Ajanta caves.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 11 h (Dec) to 13.3 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Elephanta Caves and Marine Drive |
| 2 days | Good | Marine Drive, Haji Ali Dargah and Shree Siddhivinayak Temple |
| 3 days | Good | Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Kala Ghoda Art District and Mani Bhavan |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Lonavala and Karla Caves |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Lonavala and Karla Caves and Alibaug |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Mumbai add up to roughly 17–22 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Elephanta Caves (Half a day), Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves (Half a day) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Gateway of India | 30 minutes | Colaba |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus | 45 minutes | Fort and Kala Ghoda |
| Elephanta Caves | Half a day | Elephanta Island |
| Marine Drive | 1–2 hours | Churchgate and Marine Drive |
| Haji Ali Dargah | 1 hour | Lower Parel and Worli |
| Shree Siddhivinayak Temple | 1 hour | Prabhadevi |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya | 2–3 hours | Fort and Kala Ghoda |
| Kala Ghoda Art District | 2–3 hours | Fort and Kala Ghoda |
| Mani Bhavan | 1 hour | Gamdevi |
| Banganga Tank | 45 minutes | Malabar Hill |
| Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves | Half a day | Borivali |
| Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat | 30 minutes | Mahalaxmi |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Gateway of India |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Lonavala and Karla Caves and Alibaug |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 11 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.3 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Mumbai with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Mumbai?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the Gateway of India, Colaba, Kala Ghoda, CSMT and Marine Drive, plus a morning at Elephanta. Four days adds Bandra, Haji Ali, Banganga, Dhobi Ghat and a food walk; add more for Lonavala, Matheran or the Ellora and Ajanta caves.
+Is a week too long in Mumbai?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Lonavala and Karla Caves and Alibaug.