Mumbai: The most populous city in the world. Mumbai - Gateway of India Public Transport and Taxi
Mumbai, Also Mumbai(Marath. मुंबई, English: Mumbai), until 1995 - Bombay(English: Bombay) is a city in western India, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Administrative center of the state of Maharashtra.
Mumbai is the most populous city in India: the concept of a city includes the so-called. Municipal Corporation of Mumbai, which includes two districts of the state of Maharashtra: Mumbai proper (157 km², 3,145,966 inhabitants in 2011), as well as the Mumbai (suburban) district (446 km², 9,332,481 inhabitants in 2011 ), total 603 km², 12,478,447 inhabitants in 2011. Together with satellite cities, it forms the sixth largest urban agglomeration in the world with a population of 21.3 million people [ check the link] .
Located at an altitude of 10 meters above sea level. The population density is 21,665 people/km² (the city ranks second in density in the world after Manila), about 1/2 of the population is Marathi, about 1/4 is Gujaratis. The city proper occupies the island of Bombay and the southern part of the island Solsett which are connected by bridges and dams.
Mumbai is a major hub for international transport routes. The city has a deep natural harbour, being the largest port in western India. About half of India's passenger traffic passes through the passenger terminal. Mumbai is one of the most important economic and cultural centers in India; is a city of great contrasts, where luxury and wealth coexist with poverty. Modern neighborhoods are adjacent to slums - the northern areas of the city, which are considered breeding grounds for various diseases.
Compared to other cities in India, Mumbai has a relatively high standard of living and high business activity. Employment opportunities attract labor to the city from all over South Asia, in addition to India itself.
Encyclopedic YouTube
1 / 5
✪ Real life in the slums of Mumbai - Dharavi. "I want to go home" from India
✪ Heads and Tails - ISSUE 27 MUMBAI / Season 2 episode 12 / 2011 / HD 1080p
✪ India Mumbai. Horror, garbage, slums. First impression)
✪ Mumbai (Bombay) is an overpopulated city, slum and aristocratic at the same time
Subtitles
Origin of the city's name
The name of the city of Mumbai comes from "Mumb" - the name of a local Hindu goddess. Mumba Devi, And ai, which means "mother" in Marathi. There is an opinion that the name " Bombain", which was given to the city in the 16th century by the Portuguese, supposedly comes from words meaning "good bay", but modern research disproves this. Under British rule the word was anglicized into Bombay. The name was officially changed to Mumbai in 1995. The former name is still used by city residents and famous institutions, and is also popular in the West.
Geographical location
Mumbai is located at the mouth of the river Ulhas?!, occupying the islands of Bombay, Solsett and the adjacent coast. Most of Mumbai is located at altitudes ranging from 10 to 15 meters above sea level. The northern part of Mumbai is hilly, with the city's highest point being 450 meters above sea level. The area of the city is 603.4 km².
There are lakes within the city boundaries: Tulsi, Vihar, Powai. The first two, located in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, supply part of the city with drinking water. There are three rivers in Mumbai that originate in the national park. There are mangrove swamps within the city boundaries. The coastline of the city is indented by numerous streams and bays. The soil in the city is mostly sandy due to the proximity of the sea; in the suburbs it is alluvial and clayey. The rocks are classified as black basalts. Mumbai is located in a seismic zone.
Climatic conditions
The city is located in the subequatorial zone. There are two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The rainy season lasts from June to October, with particularly intense monsoon rains occurring from June to September, causing high humidity in the city. The average temperature is about 30 °C, temperature fluctuations from 11 °C to 38 °C.
The amount of annual precipitation is 2200 mm. There was especially a lot of precipitation in 1954 - 3451.6 mm. The dry season from December to May is characterized by moderate humidity.
Due to the predominance of cold northern winds, January and February are the coldest months.
| Climate of Mumbai | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index | Jan. | Feb. | March | Apr. | May | June | July | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Year |
| Absolute maximum, °C | 40,0 | 39,1 | 41,3 | 41,0 | 41,0 | 39,0 | 34,0 | 34,0 | 36,0 | 38,9 | 38,3 | 37,8 | 41,3 |
| Average maximum, °C | 31,1 | 31,4 | 32,8 | 33,2 | 33,6 | 32,3 | 30,3 | 30,0 | 30,8 | 33,4 | 33,6 | 32,3 | 32,1 |
| Average temperature, °C | 23,8 | 24,7 | 27,1 | 28,8 | 30,2 | 29,3 | 27,9 | 27,5 | 27,6 | 28,4 | 27,1 | 25,0 | 27,3 |
| Average minimum, °C | 18,4 | 19,4 | 22,1 | 24,7 | 27,1 | 27,0 | 26,1 | 25,6 | 25,2 | 24,3 | 22,0 | 19,6 | 23,5 |
| Absolute minimum, °C | 8,9 | 8,5 | 12,7 | 19,0 | 22,5 | 20,0 | 21,2 | 22,0 | 20,0 | 17,2 | 14,4 | 11,3 | 8,5 |
| Precipitation rate, mm | 15,1 | 1,0 | 0,1 | 0,5 | 20,6 | 504,2 | 819,4 | 546,8 | 325,2 | 81,1 | 11,3 | 4,1 | 2431,2 |
| Water temperature, °C | 26 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 28 |
| Source: Weather and Climate, World Climate Guide | |||||||||||||
Story
Economic potential
Mumbai is one of the country's largest economic centers. About 10% of all the country's workers work in this city. The city provides 33% of income tax revenues and 60% of all customs duties. Mumbai accounts for 40% of India's total foreign trade. The city has developed industries: cotton, oil refining, chemical, mechanical engineering. Electricity is provided by hydroelectric power plants located at the foot of the Western Ghats and thermal power plants on Trombay Island. There is a nuclear power plant. Mumbai is home to many financial institutions: Bombay Stock Exchange, Reserve Bank of India, National Stock Exchange of India, Mint. Large companies such as Tata Group, Godrej and many others have their headquarters in the city.
The business center is located in the southern part of Mumbai. Apart from Indian financial institutions, the business center is home to various foreign organizations. Until the 1980s, Mumbai's economy was largely dependent on the textile industry and maritime trade. The cargo turnover of the port of Nava Sheva was 25 million tons. 60% of all imports passed through the cargo port.
After the 80s of the 20th century, other, more progressive and highly skilled industries began to develop in Mumbai, such as diamond development and polishing, high information technology, and healthcare.
It is worth noting that employees working for the state make up a significant part of the city’s total workforce, but at the same time there are many residents engaged in low- and medium-skilled labor: taxi drivers, shopkeepers, mechanics, repairmen and others.
Mumbai is the main center of the entertainment industry. Most of India's television and satellite networks are located in this city. Center of the Indian Film Industry, so-called. Bollywood (English: Bollywood) is located in Mumbai, where there are other, lesser-known film studios.
Population
Mumbai's population is more than 17 million people. The ratio of women to men is 811 to 1000. The larger number of men is explained by the influx of the male population from rural areas to the city to earn money. The literacy rate is 77%, which is higher than the national average. Among men, literacy is 82%, among women - 71.6%. By religion, people professing Hinduism make up 68% of the city's population, Muslims - 17%, Christians - 4% and Buddhists - 4%. In addition, followers of Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism and Judaism live in the city, and there are atheists. Mumbai uses the spoken form of Hindi (a mixture of Hindi, Marathi and English), but the official language is Marathi. English is popular among the working intelligentsia. In the city you can also hear speech in Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi, Nepali, Marathi, Telugu, Urdu, Gujarati.
City government
Mumbai is the capital of the state. It consists of two separate districts - the city and the suburbs, which also form two districts in the state of Maharashtra.
The city is governed by a municipal council, headed by a mayor, who performs purely nominal functions. The real executive power is concentrated in the hands of a commissioner appointed by the state government.
The municipal city council is responsible for the development of the city.
Mumbai is divided into 23 city districts, headed by an assistant commissioner.
Crime among the population
Crime in Mumbai is moderate by Indian standards. In Mumbai, 27,577 cases were registered in 2004 (in 2001 - 30,991 cases), there was an 11% decrease in crime during this time. The city's main prison is Arthur Road. On November 27, 2008, riots and a chain of explosions began in Mumbai. There are victims.
Social and cultural life of the city, architecture, attractions
Mumbai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India. European and Asian cultural traditions coexist in the city. There are many holidays and festivals of different ethnic groups and religions. The city's population takes part in them widely, often regardless of religion.
Mumbai has its own roadside fast food chain: Vada Pavs and Bhelpuri.
The city has many fans of Chinese and South Indian cuisine. The city is a mixture of international and Indian tastes in music, food, art.
In 2004, Mumbai received three awards from UNESCO for preserving national traditions. Mumbai is the birthplace of Indian cinema. The first film was released in 1896. The city has a large number of cinemas, including the largest in Asia - the IMAX cinema, which shows new films from Bollywood and Hollywood.
In addition to cinema, many exhibitions are held in the city, and many plays are staged in theaters. The city has art galleries: the Jehangir Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Prince of Wales Museum, and others.
Mumbai is home to India's only permanent symphony orchestra (The Bombay Chamber Orchestra).
The oldest public library in the city is the Asiatic Society Library, built in 1833.
Mumbai has seven sister cities:
Los Angeles
London
The name of the city comes from the name of the Hindu goddess Mumba Devi.
In Marathi this word means "mother".
Previously, Mumbai was called Bombay and only in 1995 it acquired its modern name.
Hindi is spoken in the city, but Marathi is the official language. English is also popular.
Mumbai is interesting to many: it has ancient monuments, unique nature, developed infrastructure, and plenty of opportunities for entertainment.
Climate and weather
Mumbai has a subequatorial climate, which has a clear division into two seasons: dry and wet. It rains here from June to November, during which time the air warms up to +30 °C and above. The dry season lasts from December to May; the coldest months in Mumbai are January and February.
Nature
The city of Mumbai is located in western India along the coast Arabian Sea, at the mouth Ulhas River. It includes islands Bombay and Solsett, which rise 10-15 meters above sea level. The northern part of Mumbai is hilly, the highest point being 450 meters above sea level.
Three rivers flow through the city, and in some places there are mangrove swamps. In addition, Mumbai is located lakes Tulsi, Vihar, Powai. Chowpatty Beach this city is one of the cleanest in the world.
Attractions
Important attractions of Mumbai are India Gate- a triumphal arch of an unusual shape that stands on the water in the city harbor. It was built in honor of the visit of the English King George V and Queen Mary to the country in 1924. Also visit Prince of Wales Museum, home to a large collection of Indian art artifacts. 42 kilometers from Mumbai is an impressive ensemble of a cave Buddhist monastery Katherti, created between the 2nd and 9th centuries AD. Many tourists are especially attracted to Elfanta Island. It has stunning cave temples with huge sculptures inside.
A striking example of Victorian Gothic is the Mumbai Central Railway Station - Victoria terminus.
IN national park You can explore the rock city, which consists of about 100 caves dating back to the 3rd century AD. These caves once served as a home for Buddhist monks. Today the park is home to numerous tigers, so you should not go deep into the caves without a guide.
Connoisseurs of natural resources should also visit bird sanctuary, which is home to more than 146 species of birds. It is located between Mumbai and Goa.
Among the attractions also worth noting:
- hanging gardens adjacent to the Tower of Silence,
- the famous cinema complex where you can meet stars,
- statues of Hindu gods on the walls of the Elephanta cave,
- Cathedral of St. Thomas,
- Flora fountain.
Nutrition
Indian cuisine is one of the oldest in the world. Her calling card is spices and tea. The most famous seasoning here is curry. She turns any dish into something special. You can appreciate all the features of Indian cuisine in the best establishments in Mumbai. So, in the building of the Jahangir Gallery, be sure to visit the restaurant "Samovar". This place is very popular among the creative elite of Mumbai. Persian, Indian, Chinese and European dishes can be tasted at the restaurant "Leopold"- the place is popular among young tourists.
Among the not too expensive establishments, it is worth mentioning the restaurant "Goa Portuguessa", which has a wide range of seafood dishes. At the restaurant "Oberoi" The delights of French cuisine await you.
Accommodation
In Mumbai, you can stay in the mountainous towns of Matheran and Mahabaleshwar or in the upscale famous hotel Taj Mahal Palace. If you want to save money, then pay attention to cozy inexpensive hotels Hotel Kohinoor Elite,Residency Hotel And Residence Hotel Andheri.
In general, there should be no problems with housing in Mumbai - the main thing is to find it immediately upon arrival, preferably in the morning, since by the evening the hotels are crowded with tourists.
Entertainment and relaxation
Mumbai is the center of the entertainment industry in India. A famous film studio is located here Bollywood.
Mumbai is also famous for its nightlife. The most popular clubs in the city are rightfully considered FireandIce And Not Just Jazzby The Bay. Indian musicians perform here from Wednesday to Saturday. Almost all luxury hotels have their own nightclubs and bars. The most famous are considered Insomnia V "Taj" And Opium Den V "Oberoe". Best suited for young people and tourists Athena.
Sports are well developed in Mumbai. The most popular outdoor activity is cricket. There are two international stadiums for him - "Vankheed" And "Brabourne". The second most popular sport is football. Equestrian sports, tennis, field hockey, rugby, and golf are also well developed in Mumbai.
Film lovers should definitely visit the local cinemas. Gala premieres of new Bollywood films often take place here. For lovers of cultural entertainment, many exhibitions, festivals, and theatrical performances are always open. Fans of excursions can always explore Mumbai from the windows of a double-decker bus. Tours are not available between June and September due to the monsoon season.
Well, those who love water treatments will definitely enjoy the water park Water Kingdom, which is open all year round from 10:30 until the evening. After 14:00 there are usually a lot of people there.
Purchases
In Mumbai you can visit many excellent shopping malls with exclusive clothes. Leather bags, shoes, exquisite accessories and handmade jewelry can lift your spirits at any time. At fashion markets Bandra And Colaba you can buy everything: from a wooden figurine to Indian diamonds. At the farmer's market Jhaveri A wonderful selection of jewelry will open, each of which is one of a kind. On Bhubaleshwar you can go shopping for famous Gujarati textiles. Chor-bazaar sells antiques.
Inorbit- the largest shopping center in Mumbai. Here you will find ethnic items, fashion brands from Indian manufacturers, and clothing from global brands such as Wrangler And Tommy Hilfiger.
There is a coffee shop and fast food restaurants on the ground floor Pizza Hut And Ruby Tuesday. You can spend your day pleasantly by going shopping at Phoenix mills, where in addition to a variety of shops you will find a children's amusement park, 5 cinema halls, coffee shops and restaurants.
Transport
Buses run constantly around Mumbai. To get around the city, you can also turn to auto-rickshaws or order a taxi. The metro is currently under construction in Mumbai.
Connection
Mumbai has a city telephone network, and the city is also provided with sufficiently high-quality mobile communications. When you come here, you don’t have to worry about how to contact your loved ones. Internet access is available in hotel rooms and internet cafes.
Safety
By Indian standards, crime in Mumbai is at an average level and this figure is gradually decreasing.
You have to be very careful in the city. Take care of your documents and money. Before leaving for Mumbai, make copies of documents in advance. Do not forget about the rules of behavior in society. Be respectful of cultural monuments.
Business climate
Mumbai is a city of contrasts, where luxury exists next to poverty. At the same time, it is also one of the largest economic centers in India. About 10% of all the country's workers work here. Mumbai has a well-developed cotton, chemical, oil refining and engineering industry, and there is a nuclear power plant. The information technology and healthcare sectors are also actively developing in the city.
Mumbai is home to many financial institutions and large companies. The business center is located in the southern part of the city. In addition to Indian financial institutions themselves, there are many different foreign organizations located there.
Real estate
In Mumbai, real estate is very expensive. A special jump in prices occurred at the beginning of 2011. Today, 1 square meter of real estate costs on average from $9,000 to $12,000.
It is worth agreeing on a hotel room in advance, since the demand for housing in the city is very high. After 21:00, all rooms in budget hotels are usually occupied.
Try not to travel on trains during rush hour with important documents.
Mumbai (aka Bombay until 1995) is the largest Indian city with a population of more than 21 million people. This is the economic and cultural center of the country: the offices of the world's most famous corporations, fashionable hotels and haute couture shops are located here. Here, in the world-famous “Bollywood,” most Indian films and television programs are filmed. People from all over the country and from all over the world flock here in search of a better life. And yet in Mumbai they are at peace! Mumbai is absolutely unlike the rest of India: both in its colonial architecture, which is breathtaking, and in the way representatives of different cultures and religions coexist organically here. When you get to Mumbai, you seem to be transported from dirty, noisy India to the Bombay of Kipling’s time and, despite the bustling life around you, it seems that time has stopped. We tell you how to get there, where to stay and what to do in this amazing city.
Guide contents:
Many airlines fly to Mumbai and you can often catch a ticket at a decent discount. However, there are no direct flights from Minsk, Kyiv, or Moscow. Arabic flies from Minsk with a transfer to Abu Dhabi Etihad. The cheapest way to fly from Moscow Aeroflot, however, here you will have a long layover in Delhi.
If you want to visit the Indian capital at the same time, then you can leave Delhi for Mumbai in two ways. Local low-cost airline IndiGo from $30 per ticket. The flight will take 2 hours. By train, which will take you 24 hours to Mumbai, for about the same cost in a 3rd class carriage. Train schedules, seat availability and ticket prices can be found on the Indian Railways website.
The most comfortable way to get from the airport to the city center is by taxi. In the terminal building there are Pre-paid Taxi counters with a fixed fare. A trip to the city center starts from $7.
In Mumbai, heavy street traffic often leads to hours-long traffic jams. Therefore, if you arrive during peak hours, it’s faster to get to the city center by train Mumbai Suburban Railway Network. The nearest Vile Parle station from the airport can be reached by taxi, rickshaw or bus: No. 312 (from Terminal 1) and No. 321 (from Terminal 2).
Comfortable BEST shuttles also go from the airport to the city center every 15-20 minutes. You can view the bus route and build it for yourself on the company’s website.
To know everything you need to know about public transport in Mumbai, download the app m-indicato. This is an irreplaceable thing in the city! With its help, you can build bus and train routes, find out transport schedules, and calculate the cost of taxi trips.
In Mumbai, rickshaws and bombilas are banned, only official taxis. True, during peak times and at night, a taxi driver may refuse to take you according to the meter, asking for a large amount. Bargain for a decline.
The most comfortable way to travel short distances in the city is by taxi. The first kilometer of the trip costs $0.25 according to the meter, then $0.15 per km. Don't forget to remind the driver to turn on the meter!
The Mumbai Suburban Railway Network has 4 lines and connects remote areas of the city. The fare depends on the distance and starts from $0.07 for a pair of stations. Tickets are purchased at ticket offices at stations. As a rule, trains have 1st class carriages (which differ in price, but not in comfort - from $0.70) and separate all-women carriages.
Bus service in Mumbai is very developed. As a rule, all inscriptions on city buses are in Hindi, including numbers. You can try to learn counting in Hindi, but it’s still extremely difficult to navigate bus traffic without Arabic numerals.
Surprisingly, it can be difficult to find accommodation in Mumbai: prices are 3 times higher than the national average (on Booking.com even higher), hotels are often overcrowded, many hotels accommodate only Indians, only men or only Indian men! Couchsurfers themselves do not recommend stopping through Couchserfing.com. In addition, web-based accommodation booking services are not that common in India, especially for budget accommodation.
You can find an inexpensive guesthouse by walking down the street Shahid Bhagat Singh Road (Colaba Causeway) where the famous Leopold Cafe. 4-5 star hotels are located nearby along the fashionable Marine Drive. Mid-price hotels are scattered between these two streets.
Salvation Army House or Salvation Army Home (43/45, BEST Marg, Apollo Bandar, Colaba) . Its 4-storey building is located just behind the famous Taj Mahal Palace. Salvation Army is a Protestant charity helping the homeless and disadvantaged. Now the building has been completely converted into a hostel: both dormitories and private rooms (AC and NonAC) are offered. This is the cheapest place in Mumbai! The cost of a night with breakfast starts from $5 (per bed in a dormitory). There are always limited spaces available; pre-booking is only possible for groups. Salvation Army is also famous for its unique “paramilitary” atmosphere: barracks-style dorms, staff in military uniform, an ascetic canteen, no hot water and thousands of travelers from all over the world! Minus: no bed linen and hot water. Pros: price, breakfast, location and atmosphere.
Hotel Volga II (Rustam Manzil, 1st floor, Above Leopord Cafe, NF Road, Colaba) located right next to Leopold Cafe (very small shabby sign, you have to climb the steps to the 2nd floor) - a popular budget place. Private rooms (AC and NonAC) are the cheapest in Colaba. Prices for a NonAC room with shared bathroom start at $10. Cons: small rooms, no breakfast. Pros: price, location.
Apollo Hotel (Mathuradas Estate building, Mathuradas Estate Building, 43/45 Colaba Causeway, Colaba) . A small guesthouse occupies the 1st floor of a residential building. Rooms (AC and NonAC) starting at $10/night. Cons: small rooms, no breakfast. Pros: price, location.
Carlton Hotel 1* (Florence House, No.12, MereWeather Road, Behind Taj Mahal Hotel) - a tolerable hotel for the unpretentious. The small, no-frills rooms make up for the great location. Great for collapsing and falling asleep after a busy day in Mumbai. Rooms (AC and NonAC) from $12 per night.
Bentley Hotel Marine Drive 2* (Krishna Mahal, 3rd Floor, Marine Drive, Churchgate) - a decent hotel in a historical building located right on Marine Drive, within walking distance from Churchgate railway station, but a bit far from Colaba. But jogging along the morning Marine Drive is guaranteed! Modern rooms with breakfast from $45/night. Some rooms overlook the bay. Disadvantage: distance from Colaba. Plus: breakfast, Marine Drive.
Bentley's Hotel 3* (17, Oliver Road, Colaba) - a quality, no frills hotel with large AC rooms and private bathrooms. Wi-Fi is only at the reception, in India it is called “in public areas”. Nightly rates from $45. Plus: location, breakfast, large rooms, renovated building.
Taj Mahal Palace 5* (Apollo Bunder, Colaba) . To fully feel the spirit of British Bombay, you should stay at the most famous 5-star hotel in the city, built in the nineteenth century. The Taj Mahal is a museum and a hotel rolled into one. Famous artists and musicians, politicians and members of royal families stayed here. The rooms are decorated in Indian style, some of them overlooking the Arabian Sea and India Gate. There are several restaurants, a SPA and a swimming pool on site. Nightly rates start at $215.
Mumbai is a city where poverty and wealth do not coexist so organically in the world. The business center of the city with the main attractions, hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs is located in the south in the Colaba area. In the north of Mumbai there are world-famous slum areas.
In the mid-90s, the city underwent a large-scale renaming. Therefore, get used to the fact that almost any attraction or institution has two names: the old, well-known one and the new, usually unpronounceable one. To this day, many establishments in Mumbai are called Bombay.
Rich Mumbai
Mumbai's nightlife is in full swing until 2 am. Afterwards, all establishments close, the city is strict about this. Bars are usually open until midnight. Most nightclubs prefer Indian music!
Aer (Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, 1/136, 34th Floor, Hotel Rooftop, Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli) - an artsy rooftop bar at the Four Seasons Hotel, offering stunning views of Mumbai. Expats prefer to gather here to admire the city over a cocktail and a pleasant conversation.
Trilogy (Hotel Sea Princess, 969, Juhu Tara Rd, Airport Area, Juhu) . Bombay's favorite two-story club is located near Santracruz West airport. On Saturday, the entrance fee can reach $20.
Wink (Vivanta by Taj President, 90, Cuffe Parade) is one of the most glamorous bars in Mumbai. Located at the Vivanta by Taj President Hotel and open until midnight. Japanese cuisine and a pint of beer starting at $7.
China House (Grand Hyatt Mumbai Off Near Bandra Kurla Complex, Western Express Hwy, Vakola, Santacruz East) . Another popular club among locals is located at the Grand Hyatt hotel in the Santracruz area. There is strict face control here. On Fridays the club is open until 3 am. Besides everything, it is famous for its excellent Chinese cuisine.
Tryst (Phoenix Mill Compound, High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel) - one of the most popular and expensive clubs among Mumbai residents. You will have to pay $15-30 for entry depending on the day of the week, with the most expensive on Saturday. Table rental will cost $450.
Hype (Atria, The Millenium Mall, R1, 4/F, Dr Annie Beasant Road, Worli) . If you want to plunge into the atmosphere of a Bollywood party, then you need to go to Hype. Indian movie stars often visit the club; remixes of famous Bollywood songs are played here and themed parties are held.
Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road) . Along the street there are shops and stalls with everything a tourist needs: souvenirs, magnets, clothes, shoes, jewelry. True, the quality leaves much to be desired. If you want to buy really good Indian things, you should go to the local markets. Prices for small souvenirs here are lower than the national average.
Book deals on Mahatma Gandhi Road(in the Flora Fountain area). In India, books in English cost mere pennies. For example, a large collection of Kafka can be bought on sale for $4. The publisher prints the recommended price on the back of the books, but here you can and should bargain!
Chor Bazaar (Mutton St, Kumbharwada) . Mumbai's largest flea market is famous for its variety of antiques and antiques sold for pennies. Here you can find Victorian furniture and decorations, quirky musical instruments and vintage Bollywood posters. The last ones in the store with the huge Mini Market sign.
Mangaldas Market(Janjiker St, Lohar Chawl, Kalbadevi) - Mumbai's largest textile market with a 200-year history. The best silks and saris in the city are sold here. In a huge number of stores you can find traditional Indian clothing of excellent quality at a low price (overshirts, trousers, scarves, etc.).
Zaveri Bazaar (Sheikh Menon St, Lohar Chawl, Kalbadevi) - the jewelry mecca of Mumbai, where thousands of shops sell cheap jewelry made from yellow gold, beloved by Indians. For jewelry you need to go to Bhuleshwar Market (Marine Lines East, Panjarpole, Bhuleshwar) - this is a real women's paradise, where the brilliance of jewelry blinds the eyes! The latter is closed on Sundays.
To the spice market Lalbaug Market (Dinshaw Petit Rd, Lal Baug, Parel) It is worth going for the world famous turmeric, red and Kashmiri chili peppers. Good spices in factory packaging can also be purchased at any grocery store. For example, at the Sahakari Bhandar supermarket (Colaba Chamber, Ground Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Colaba) in Colaba.
Buying good tea in India is more of a myth than a reality. As often happens, excellent tea is immediately exported, and Indians drink what is left or powdered tea (as we do in tea bags). When brewed, it turns out very strong and completely tasteless. Of course, shops and markets sell loose leaf teas in beautiful packages especially for tourists. But they should not be confused with that very real Indian tea.
Map of Mumbai with attractions from the guide
Bargain like it's the last time in your life! Know that for the first time an enterprising Indian names a price at least 2 times higher than the real one. You need to bargain for everything except food, medicine and prices in government agencies (transport, post office, etc.). Retail prices are already printed on food and drink packaging by manufacturers.
Currency. In India, money is changed not by banks, but by special exchangers with the Currency Exchange sign. They charge a fee of 7% of the amount and do not set the most favorable exchange rate, so it is better to change on the black market (both from dollars to rupees and vice versa). In Mumbai, it is profitable to change money at Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road). Just walk along the market street and the money changers will approach you. You have to bargain for the course! Focus on the official exchange rate minus a dozen or two Indian cents. The larger the amount you change, the better the exchange rate you ask for.
Internet. Due to the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, strict security measures have been taken. First of all, this affects the availability of communications and the Internet. It may well happen that your roaming will stop working in the city. There is no access to Wi-Fi in public places, only in rare cafes and restaurants, as well as in hotels of medium and high price categories. At the same time, to connect to the network, you may be required to present a passport and access may be limited during the daytime.
If you need to always be in touch, you should connect a local SIM card. 1 GB of mobile Internet will cost about $4-5. This can be done at any street stand with icons of mobile operators. Colaba Causeway (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road) and Bharucha Road have them at every step. To connect, you need a copy of your passport and visa, 2 3x4 photos and, optionally, a hotel payment receipt. Activation of a purchased SIM card may take from several hours to a couple of days. This process is quite complicated and consists in the fact that the mobile operator carefully checks your data and always calls the hotel to confirm that you are staying there. The SIM card can be used throughout the country and top up your account anywhere.
You are allowed into Indian airports only upon presentation of your air ticket. Make sure it is downloaded to your smartphone. If you arrived and left the airport, they will not let you back in, because... the ticket has been used. Therefore, first of all, try to change money or withdraw it from an ATM in the airport building; it will be almost impossible to do this on the street.
First aid kit. If you have never taken sedatives in your life, take stronger and more challenging ones with you to India. You can start accepting them at the airport. Don’t flatter yourself, this is India, you won’t get away with simple valerian here. Also make sure you have a full range of medications with you for digestive problems. Don't forget the hand sanitizer. If you have asthma or lung problems, take antihistamines, a thick face mask (can be bought at any pharmacy in Mumbai) and do not walk around the city in the morning when smog descends on the streets. The air in Mumbai is so polluted, especially in winter, that unaccustomed tourists often become allergic to it. If this happens, go straight to the nearest hospital, they will give you special strong antihistamines against air allergies.
What to take with you. Make several copies of your passport and visa, they are needed when checking into hotels and connecting a SIM card. India has its own concepts about the purity and whiteness of white, so it’s a good idea to bring bedding that you don’t mind. If you are planning to travel around the country or go to Goa by train, take a light sleeping bag. If you are going north, the sleeping bag is thicker. Not all the streets of Mumbai are illuminated in the evening, and in Goa there is no street lighting at all, so a flashlight is a good idea. It is better to bring hygiene items with you; it can be extremely difficult to find them in India. Indians do not use toilet paper; they sell it to tourists at a price of around $1 per roll.
How to become a disco dancer? In "Bollywood" they organize boring and insanely expensive excursions, where, at best, they will show one small filming pavilion. Do you want to see Bollywood from the inside? Go to the daytime Leopold Cafe (Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Near Colaba Police Station, Colaba Causeway) or Salvation Army House (43/45, BEST Marg, Apollo Bandar, Colaba), where Bollywood casting managers hang out and gather Western youth for extras. A European face in an Indian film is prestigious! The filming process takes the whole day, but you will plunge into the world of Indian cinematography and earn about $7 for filming.
Text - Ekaterina Borisova, photo - KIDKUTSMEDIA, marina.shakleina,
To follow updates on 34travel, subscribe to our pages at
Mumb A th, or Mumb A and - a city in western India, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, at the mouth of the Ulhas River. Until 1995, the city was called Bombay, and its current name - Mumbai - received in honor of one of the incarnations of the goddess Mother Earth Mumbadeva - Maha Amba Aiee, who is worshiped by the Marathas inhabiting the lands of Maharashtra.
Mumbai is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, it is the most populous city in India: the Mumbai metropolis, together with its satellite cities, forms the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the world with a population of 28.8 million people. Mumbai is an administrative unit called the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which includes two districts of the state of Maharashtra: the city of Mumbai proper (603 km², 15,414,288 people in 2018) and the suburbs of Mumbai. Mumbai is divided into 23 urban districts.
Based: 1507
Square: 603 km 2
Population: 15,414,288 people (2018)
Currency: Indian rupee
Language: Marathi
Official website: http://www.mcgm.gov.in
Current time in Mumbai:
(UTC +5:30)
Compared to other cities in India, Mumbai has a high standard of living and high business activity with ample employment opportunities. The city today is the largest port in western India.
How to get there
There are no direct flights connecting Russia and Mumbai, but, in part, there are a lot of connecting options, thanks to which you can fly to Mumbai from several cities in Russia. Below we list these options (in brackets are the cities of connections).
- Turkish Airlines (Istanbul): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Ufa, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt am Main or Munich): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara
- Emirates (Dubai): Moscow, St. Petersburg
- Qatar Airways (Doha): Moscow
- Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi): Moscow
- Air France (Paris): Moscow, St. Petersburg
- Swiss (Zurich): Moscow, St. Petersburg
- KLM (Amsterdam): Moscow, St. Petersburg
- Virgin Atlantic and British Airways (London): Moscow
Search for flights
in Mumbai
Finding travel companions
on BlaBlaCar
Transfers
in Mumbai
Search for a car
for rent
Search flights to Mumbai
We compare all available flight options based on your request, and then direct you to the official websites of airlines and agencies for purchase. The air ticket price you see on Aviasales is final. We have removed all hidden services and checkboxes.
We know where to buy cheap air tickets. Airplane tickets to 220 countries. Search and compare prices for air tickets among 100 agencies and 728 airlines.
We cooperate with Aviasales.ru and do not charge any commissions - the cost of tickets is absolutely the same as on the website.
Finding travel companions on BlaBlaCar
Where do you want to go?
A couple of clicks and you can hit the road right from the door.
Loading...