Travel to Mumbai

Travel to Mumbai

Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is one of India's most eclectic cities, with modern towering sky-scrapers, broad boulevards, trendy restaurants and modern retail outlets to ancient buildings, temples and slum areas. Since its discovery by the Portuguese, about 500 years ago, Mumbai has transformed from a quiet fishing village to a large bustling, vibrant, modern city.

Transportation to Mumbai

Mumbai is very accessible by several different modes of transportation including air, rail and road. Mumbai has an airport that is distinctly divided into two parts; Sahar is the international airport and Santa-Cruz is the domestic airport. Both airports handle many flights and thousands of passengers per day.

There are two main train stations in Mumbai, servicing trains arriving from different corners of the vast Indian continent. The roads in India are often in poor condition, nevertheless buses commute regularly from different Indian states and also from Goa. Travelling by bus is the cheapest option, but buses are usually overcrowded and many do not have air-conditioning.

Driving in India can be hazardous, as there are hundreds of cars, cows, goats and pedestrians to avoid. The best way to get to Mumbai is to fly to either of the citys airports.

What to see

Mumbai offers plenty of interesting places and attractions to visit which reflect the rich cultural and historical heritage of the city. Coloba is home to most of the places of interest in Mumbai including the Gateway of India, from where the last British troops departed. A trip to the Prince of Wales Museum; the citys parks, where the locals play a mean game of cricket; exploring the haphazard streets of Coloba, with its quaint shops, bazaars, markets and cafs; or lazing on some of Mumbais beaches will keep you occupied for a few days at least.

Daytrips

Like many other Indian cities, Mumbai sprawls out and engulfs many small villages and quieter places that are interesting to visit. The suburb of Borivli, about 45kms from Mumbai, is the site of the Buddhist Kanheri Caves that are hidden in an unspoilt forest. On the northern fringes of Mumbai lies Bassein fort. The best way to reach these places is to travel by car or taxi.

Activities and leisure

There are plenty of activities to keep visitors occupied here including visiting Esselworld, a theme park, while there is a water park adjacent to it. There are several exciting rides and activities to enjoy at the parks. Golf enthusiasts will enjoy golfing at the challenging courses at Mumbai. Alternatively, take a trip in a hot air balloon and fly over the city and the surrounding countryside to enjoy the vastness of the area.

Several boat tours can be joined from the Gateway of India and for the more adventurous traveller, bungee jumping is available. Go-karting, rock climbing and fishing are just some of the multitude of activities to choose from at Mumbai.

Safety issues

Mumbai has more than its fair share of petty criminals such as pocket-pickers and bag-snatchers, but these criminals can easily be avoided if caution is taken. We recommend that all travellers have a a comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers them against lost luggage, delayed flights and hospitalisation.