Daily costs per person in INR and USD. Mumbai is India's most expensive city but street food and local trains keep budget travel viable.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: INR (₹) (1 USD ≈ ₹83. Cards widely accepted; carry cash for street food)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₹600–1,000 ($7–12) | ₹2,500–5,000 ($30–60) | — | |
| Food | ₹300–600 ($4–7) | ₹1,000–2,000 ($12–24) | — | |
| Transport (trains) | ₹90–150 ($1–2) | ₹300–600 ($4–7) | — | |
| Entry Fees | ₹600–700 ($7–8) | ₹600–700 ($7–8) | — | |
| Drinks & Snacks | ₹200–300 ($2–4) | ₹500–1,000 ($6–12) | — | |
| Daily Total | ₹1,790–2,750 ($22–33) | ₹5,000–9,300 ($60–112) | — |
Money-saving tips
Vada pav is Mumbai's soul food
Vada pav — a spiced potato fritter in a soft roll with three chutneys — costs ₹15–25 and is eaten by every Mumbaikar regardless of class. Eat it from Ashok Vada Pav near Kirti College in Dadar or any railway station stall. It is genuinely excellent and costs less than $0.30.
Local trains are transformative and cheap
A tourist day pass for Mumbai's local railways costs ₹90. Use the Western Line (Churchgate–Virar) for Bandra and Andheri; the Central Line (CST–Thane) for Dadar and Kurla. The 8–9am rush hour is an experience; the 11am–4pm window is manageable. Download the m-indicator app for Mumbai local train schedules.
Accommodation in the right location matters
Stay in Colaba (backpacker hub, south Mumbai) or Bandra (hipper, mid-range). Colaba hostels: ₹600–1,000/dorm. South Mumbai is more expensive than north but puts you near all the main sights. Avoid staying in Andheri unless you have business there — too far from everything.
Avoid tourist restaurants in Colaba
Colaba Causeway restaurants charge 3× the price for mediocre food. One street back: Olympia Coffee House (₹150–300) and New Martin's Restaurant (₹200–350) serve genuine Irani café food. For thalis, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay in Girgaon serves unlimited Gujarati thali for ₹350 — one of the best meals in the city.
