Mumbai India

Tropical wet and dry

• Airport

  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) · 28 km north of South Mumbai

• Transfers

  Prepaid Taxi (45-90 min, ₹600-900 ($7.25-11)) · Uber/Ola (45-90 min, ₹500-800 ($6-10)) · Mumbai Metro (60-75 min + transfer, ₹10-50 ($0.12-0.60)) · BEST Bus (90-180 min, ₹85-100 ($1-1.25))

• Transit

  Local Train (Lifeline of Mumbai), Metro (limited), BEST Bus, Auto-rickshaw (suburbs only), Taxi

• Tips

  Local trains fastest but insanely crowded - avoid rush hour · First class worth extra cost (less crowded) · Ladies compartments available - much less crowded · Download m-Indicator app - essential for trains/buses · BEST buses slower but more comfortable than trains · Use Uber/Ola for comfort - very affordable

• Walkability

  moderate

• Language

  Hindi, Marathi, English (widely spoken in business), Gujarati

• Currency

  Indian Rupee (₹, INR)

• Customs

  Namaste greeting - hands together with bow · Fast-paced, cosmopolitan culture - "City of Dreams" · Remove shoes at temples, mosques, and homes · Right hand for eating and giving/receiving · Bollywood culture central to city identity · Dabbawalas lunch delivery system is world-famous

• Etiquette

  Don't touch people's heads · Don't point feet at people or deities · Use right hand for transactions and eating · Queue for trains but expect crowds and pushing · Cover head at some religious sites

• Visa

  Visa required for most nationalities. E-visa available online for 60-day tourism. Apply in advance.

• Power

  230V, 50Hz · C, D, M

• Healthcare

  Good private hospitals (Breach Candy, Lilavati, Hinduja). Public hospitals overcrowded. Travel insurance essential.

• Safety

  MODERATE · Safer than Delhi but stay alert · Watch for pickpockets in crowded trains and markets · Women should avoid empty train cars at night · Avoid isolated beaches after dark · Scams common - overcharging taxis, fake tickets · Use Uber/Ola or prepaid taxis · Monsoon flooding June-Sept - avoid low-lying areas · Keep valuables secure and out of sight

• Emergency

  Police 100 · Ambulance 102