Practical information about Mumbai

As the economic and cultural capital of India, Mumbai is a true city of superlatives. Sat along the country’s western edge, along a stretch of shoreline known as the Konkan Coast, Mumbai served as India’s historic gateway for hundreds of years. A fact the country wears on its sleeve, most magnificently apparent in Mumbai’s most recognisable landmark: the Gateway of India.

Originally a small fishing village, the city really began to take shape under British rule when the East India Company used the location as an integral launching post for trading operations. This colonial past is evident throughout the city, which lays claim to some of the subcontinent’s most eye-catching and magnificent colonial architecture. The UNESCO world heritage site of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus train station is a must-see.

Mumbai is built on a thin peninsular extending south into the Indian Ocean. This containment on three sides creates a unique and infectious atmosphere that simply has to be seen to be understood. The place is an assault on the senses with the sights, sounds and smells of India bursting out of every corner. While not unique to Mumbai, the smell of street food is everywhere and invites you towards any number of the city’s world-famous snack masters. ChowPatty Beach on the city's southwestern edge is a famous hotspot to try any number of delicious and uniquely Indian treats.

With culture, history, architecture and food, Mumbai is modern India incarnate. Mumbai is a big and complex place, and with its dense patchwork of interlocking neighbourhoods, it's an easy place to get lost in. Check out the overview below on the things every traveller should know when travelling to Mumbai!

Essential Mumbai information for visitors

Emergency numbers: National Emergency Number: 112, Police: 100, Fire: 101, Ambulance: 102, Tourist police: 022-22621855

Government Office opening hours: The Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai is open between 9:00 am to 5:15 pm, Monday to Friday. It is closed over the weekend.

Temperature: Mumbai's coastal setting means temperatures tend to sit around 30°C for much of the year. The city is at its coolest during the winter (around November to early March) with an average temperature range of 12–19°C, the summer months (March to November) are split between the hottest temperatures until early June (averaging around 30 to 27°C) and the monsoon season which runs between June and mid-September, occasionally going as far as October.

Currency: The currency used in Mumbai is the Indian rupee (INR). While cards payments are available in some places, cash is recommended as most places still only accept cash. However, ATMs are common across the city and tend to accept most major international cards.

Local Time: Mumbai uses India Standard Time: GMT+5:30

Electricity: Mumbai uses two types of plugs as standard. Both the grounded three round pin connections (Type D), and the ungrounded, two pin version (Type C, also known as the Euro Plug) are common, all working with 230 V and 50Hz AC as the power source.

Language: Mumbai, like the rest of India, is home to a number of different languages. The official language of Mumbai is Marathi although Hindi is near ubiquitous too. As a global Indian English is common also, with most locals knowing a few phrases at least and fluency is common.

Required travel documents: As for all travel in India, Canadians arriving in Mumbai will need to be carrying an Indian Visa which must be obtained prior to travel. This can take as little as two business days, although leave at least four before flying and ideally more than that.

Health: People travelling from Canada are not required to have had any specific vaccinations on arrival into India. There are areas of the country that pose a higher risk than others for certain diseases. While Mumbai doesn't qualify as high risk for any of these in particular, it is always recommended that you speak to a medical professional in advance of your trip to assess the risks as they frequently change.

Tipping and taxes: There is a tipping culture in India but it is nothing universal and certainly not strict. It is considered polite to tip around 5-10% at a restaurant for good service, although this may be included as a service charge on the bill. Consider rounding up a taxi fare as a tip for a driver also.

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