Travel tips · Mumbai · India
Mumbai travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rutiknatekar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Mumbai is India's most cosmopolitan city, built by migrants from across the country and home to Marathi, Gujarati, Parsi, Muslim, Catholic and Jewish communities. Everyday life moves fast, centred on the suburban trains, offices and the film industry, and the city's festivals, above all Ganesh Chaturthi, bring millions onto the streets.
Key facts
- Language
- Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati
- Currency
- INR
- Plugs
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and check bottle seals…
- Emergency
- 112 (national emergency number)
Things to know
- Remove shoes before entering temples, mosques, dargahs and some homes.
- Dress modestly at religious sites, covering shoulders and knees and the head where required.
- On local trains, let passengers off first and move away from the doors if you are not getting off soon.
- Use your right hand to eat, pay and pass things.
- Bargaining is normal at street markets such as Colaba Causeway and Linking Road but not in shops with marked prices.
- Hotels are pricier than elsewhere in India; book early for December and January.
Tipping
Tip about 10% in restaurants if service is not included, round up for taxis and app rides, and tip guides and drivers at the end of a day.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Namaskar | Hello (Marathi) |
| Dhanyavaad | Thank you |
| Kitne ka hai? | How much is it? (Hindi) |
| Bas | Enough / stop here |
| Ek cutting | A half glass of tea |
| Chalo | Let's go |
What to wear
Light cotton clothing for the humid heat, with an umbrella and quick-drying shoes in the monsoon. Cover shoulders and knees at religious sites.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and check bottle seals are intact.
- Emergency number
- 112 (national emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Jio, Airtel and Vi SIM cards are sold at the airport and in shops with a passport and photo; 4G and 5G coverage is good across the city.
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Pickpocketing is common on crowded trains, at stations and in markets. Never travel on train footboards or in doorways. In the monsoon, avoid wading through floodwater and check transport updates. City beaches have strong currents and polluted water, so swimming is not advised.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check India's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Mumbai?
Tip about 10% in restaurants if service is not included, round up for taxis and app rides, and tip guides and drivers at the end of a day.
+Can you drink the tap water in Mumbai?
Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and check bottle seals are intact.
+What plugs are used in Mumbai?
Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Mumbai?
Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati.