Mumbai Money

missdee · Jun 29th, 2009, 02:29

Hi,
I placed a post here earlier but it was moved elsewhere as I guess it was mostly about tradition and culture. However I was wondering if I could get some advice from those more knowledgeable than myself here!

I'm just trying to get an idea of how much money to take for a 3 week stay in Mumbai (not including lodging and flights). So that's just spending money basically.

The specifics:
Two adults, no smoking but some drinking (i.e, wine with meals, beers, etc, nothing above the average holidaymaker)
The freedom to have one daily meal out in a restaurant, more upmarket than budget in general but perhaps one or two posh nights!
Shopping for clothes, gifts and souvenirs.
Miscellaneous, eg, beach days, that sort of thing.

What sort of daily budget would be safe to aim for without having to count every penny? It's been ten years since I've been so I've no idea what to expect.

And our lodgings are being provided so the basics are taken care of, such as wasking, laundry, etc.

I've seen the price list on the other sicky but that was based 2005 so I'd just like an idea of something a bit more up to date. Can anyone give me a rough idea?

Any responses would be much appreciated.
Thanks

nayan · Jun 29th, 2009, 02:54

A meal for 2 in a mid-range restaurant without drinks - about 500 to 800.
In a posher restaurant(but lower than 5 star) - about Rs 2000.
Approx double the amount if you add drinks.

beach life in bombay is about eating bhelpuri and pao bhaji at chowpati. It will cost Rs 150 for 2 per day maximum.

Clothes/gifts etc depends on the kind/quality of things you want to buy. you can get gift items in street stalls for Rs 50 as well. A cheap pashmina looking scarf/dupatta costs about Rs 100. a nice bead necklce costs about Rs 150. On the other hand good handicraft items in wood/bronze etc can cost thousands of rupees. What kind of gifts are you looking for?

As this is your wedding - i assume you would not wish to scrimp. Rs 2000 per day per head may be a good amount for restaurants etc.
If you plan to shop clothes etc for yourself then it will be very different.

missdee · Jun 29th, 2009, 03:17

Hi Nayan
Thanks so much for your informative reply, 2000 Rs per head sounds realistic and I would say that as we'll be taking it easy some days we'll probably have a good bit left over. I'm acutally looking forward to the bhelpuri and the panipuri as it's something impossible to get here.

In terms of gifts etc, the cheaper items you mentioned were just the sort of thing we were thinking of - we have so many people to think of that smaller trinkets numerous in number will be more practical to take back.
The only other thing we would really be looking at spending on in terms of shopping would be things such as clothes, or bespoke suits etc. Whilst these will be at the pricier end of the market I'm sure it'll still work out cheaper than western prices.
Is the shopping scene in Mumbai mainstream and accessible now? I dont remember much about the shopping when I was there last.

Thank you once again for your time and very helpful advice, it really is very much appreciated.

dillichaat · Jul 6th, 2009, 12:55

You can easily shop til you drop in Mumbai nowadays. Be very careful when having clothes and certainly a suit made. Lots of opportunities to end up with less money and a suit that fits you like a bag or looks funny once you're back home. Honestly, most people who come as tourists and do this end up disappointed.

I'd advise you to only do it if someone can give you a solid recommendation (I could for Delhi, not for Mumbai) AND you have the time for it (count on 10 days and at the very least 2 visits, anything quicker is suspect). Also, while vastly cheaper than in Europe, good tailoring is not free. The cloth you choose will be the major factor but it's not a wise idea to scrimp on the tailor.

Mumbai is a very nice city but it's not cheap at all, especially if you want to drink wine with your meal. 2000 a person/day sounds about right but don't expect to drink a grand cru classé for that price. All things being equal I think wine's about 2 times as expensive as the same bottle in a normal European restaurant (which, again, is 4 times as expensive as buying it in a shop).

gaurav1441 · Jul 6th, 2009, 14:07

Plan a trip for Goa on one of the weekends to splurge on wine and food..!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by missdee

Hi,
I placed a post here earlier but it was moved elsewhere as I guess it was mostly about tradition and culture. However I was wondering if I could get some advice from those more knowledgeable than myself here!

I'm just trying to get an idea of how much money to take for a 3 week stay in Mumbai (not including lodging and flights). So that's just spending money basically.

The specifics:
Two adults, no smoking but some drinking (i.e, wine with meals, beers, etc, nothing above the average holidaymaker)
The freedom to have one daily meal out in a restaurant, more upmarket than budget in general but perhaps one or two posh nights!
Shopping for clothes, gifts and souvenirs.
Miscellaneous, eg, beach days, that sort of thing.

What sort of daily budget would be safe to aim for without having to count every penny? It's been ten years since I've been so I've no idea what to expect.

And our lodgings are being provided so the basics are taken care of, such as wasking, laundry, etc.

I've seen the price list on the other sicky but that was based 2005 so I'd just like an idea of something a bit more up to date. Can anyone give me a rough idea?

Any responses would be much appreciated.
Thanks

missdee · Jul 6th, 2009, 17:28

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies, they're really helpful. I'm actually thinking of taking a trip to Goa as suggested actually, would it be better to get a train there or fly? How long roughly would it take to get there?

gaurav1441 · Jul 6th, 2009, 19:16

Depends upon your budget and prefernce. Trains take from 9.30 - 13 hrs. There is direct Volvo bus (takes an overnight journey) connectivity as well as air. by air flight time would be about 45 mins.

Quote:

Originally Posted by missdee

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies, they're really helpful. I'm actually thinking of taking a trip to Goa as suggested actually, would it be better to get a train there or fly? How long roughly would it take to get there?

namaste_cat · Jul 6th, 2009, 23:45

For Goa - I'd fly.

Bombay has excellent shopping areas e.g. Linking Road in Bandra, Colaba, Andheri West, etc. And prices go from very cheap to almost as much as what they'd cost in the US. A caution though - at the middle & higher end, the quality doesn't always match up w/ price.

Shopping for trinkets & other small gifts shouldn't set you back that much; ditto beach trips (be prepared, Juhu & Chowpatty are both pretty littered beaches (shocker!), but the food is to die for, esp at the latter. I lived on Marine Drive and went to Chowpatty beach often, ah wonderful memories!

Where you will pay is for a meal out. Drinks are extremely expensive esp wine which is bordering on insane. Still, the estimates you've been given so far - ~Rs. 2,000 per head daily seem reasonable given your lodging's paid for.

As for bespoke suits, w/ 3 wks, at least you don't have as much of an issue w/ time. So it's doable. Finding the right tailor is where it gets tricky. You might check and see if this guy (Raja) ever made it from Savile Row to Mumbai:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle2866000.ece

Western clothing for women is best bought off-the-rack, in my experience, not tailored. Just doesn't hang correctly, hard to explain. Tailors have more experience w/ men's western and women's Indian clothing, so best to stick w/ that.

nikitar · Jul 12th, 2009, 20:00

you can shop for gifts from colaba causeway you will get a lot of good things you should know to haggle as hell.

Jun 29th, 2009, 02:29	#1
missdee Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 6	Mumbai Money Hi, I placed a post here earlier but it was moved elsewhere as I guess it was mostly about tradition and culture. However I was wondering if I could get some advice from those more knowledgeable than myself here! I'm just trying to get an idea of how much money to take for a 3 week stay in Mumbai (not including lodging and flights). So that's just spending money basically. The specifics: Two adults, no smoking but some drinking (i.e, wine with meals, beers, etc, nothing above the average holidaymaker) The freedom to have one daily meal out in a restaurant, more upmarket than budget in general but perhaps one or two posh nights! Shopping for clothes, gifts and souvenirs. Miscellaneous, eg, beach days, that sort of thing. What sort of daily budget would be safe to aim for without having to count every penny? It's been ten years since I've been so I've no idea what to expect. And our lodgings are being provided so the basics are taken care of, such as wasking, laundry, etc. I've seen the price list on the other sicky but that was based 2005 so I'd just like an idea of something a bit more up to date. Can anyone give me a rough idea? Any responses would be much appreciated. Thanks

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Jun 29th, 2009, 02:54	#2
nayan Forum Leader Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 1,930	A meal for 2 in a mid-range restaurant without drinks - about 500 to 800. In a posher restaurant(but lower than 5 star) - about Rs 2000. Approx double the amount if you add drinks. beach life in bombay is about eating bhelpuri and pao bhaji at chowpati. It will cost Rs 150 for 2 per day maximum. Clothes/gifts etc depends on the kind/quality of things you want to buy. you can get gift items in street stalls for Rs 50 as well. A cheap pashmina looking scarf/dupatta costs about Rs 100. a nice bead necklce costs about Rs 150. On the other hand good handicraft items in wood/bronze etc can cost thousands of rupees. What kind of gifts are you looking for? As this is your wedding - i assume you would not wish to scrimp. Rs 2000 per day per head may be a good amount for restaurants etc. If you plan to shop clothes etc for yourself then it will be very different.

Jun 29th, 2009, 03:17	#3
missdee Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 6	Hi Nayan Thanks so much for your informative reply, 2000 Rs per head sounds realistic and I would say that as we'll be taking it easy some days we'll probably have a good bit left over. I'm acutally looking forward to the bhelpuri and the panipuri as it's something impossible to get here. In terms of gifts etc, the cheaper items you mentioned were just the sort of thing we were thinking of - we have so many people to think of that smaller trinkets numerous in number will be more practical to take back. The only other thing we would really be looking at spending on in terms of shopping would be things such as clothes, or bespoke suits etc. Whilst these will be at the pricier end of the market I'm sure it'll still work out cheaper than western prices. Is the shopping scene in Mumbai mainstream and accessible now? I dont remember much about the shopping when I was there last. Thank you once again for your time and very helpful advice, it really is very much appreciated.

Jul 6th, 2009, 12:55	#4
dillichaat Professional cynic Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: जोर बाग़,New Delhi Posts: 431	You can easily shop til you drop in Mumbai nowadays. Be very careful when having clothes and certainly a suit made. Lots of opportunities to end up with less money and a suit that fits you like a bag or looks funny once you're back home. Honestly, most people who come as tourists and do this end up disappointed. I'd advise you to only do it if someone can give you a solid recommendation (I could for Delhi, not for Mumbai) AND you have the time for it (count on 10 days and at the very least 2 visits, anything quicker is suspect). Also, while vastly cheaper than in Europe, good tailoring is not free. The cloth you choose will be the major factor but it's not a wise idea to scrimp on the tailor. Mumbai is a very nice city but it's not cheap at all, especially if you want to drink wine with your meal. 2000 a person/day sounds about right but don't expect to drink a grand cru classé for that price. All things being equal I think wine's about 2 times as expensive as the same bottle in a normal European restaurant (which, again, is 4 times as expensive as buying it in a shop).

Jul 6th, 2009, 17:28	#6
missdee Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 6	Hi all, Thanks for your replies, they're really helpful. I'm actually thinking of taking a trip to Goa as suggested actually, would it be better to get a train there or fly? How long roughly would it take to get there?

Jul 6th, 2009, 23:45	#8
namaste_cat Kashmiri-Punjabi Sherni Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Amreeka Posts: 941	For Goa - I'd fly. Bombay has excellent shopping areas e.g. Linking Road in Bandra, Colaba, Andheri West, etc. And prices go from very cheap to almost as much as what they'd cost in the US. A caution though - at the middle & higher end, the quality doesn't always match up w/ price. Shopping for trinkets & other small gifts shouldn't set you back that much; ditto beach trips (be prepared, Juhu & Chowpatty are both pretty littered beaches (shocker!), but the food is to die for, esp at the latter. I lived on Marine Drive and went to Chowpatty beach often, ah wonderful memories! Where you will pay is for a meal out. Drinks are extremely expensive esp wine which is bordering on insane. Still, the estimates you've been given so far - ~Rs. 2,000 per head daily seem reasonable given your lodging's paid for. As for bespoke suits, w/ 3 wks, at least you don't have as much of an issue w/ time. So it's doable. Finding the right tailor is where it gets tricky. You might check and see if this guy (Raja) ever made it from Savile Row to Mumbai: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/to...cle2866000.ece Western clothing for women is best bought off-the-rack, in my experience, not tailored. Just doesn't hang correctly, hard to explain. Tailors have more experience w/ men's western and women's Indian clothing, so best to stick w/ that.

Jul 12th, 2009, 20:00	#9
nikitar Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 5	you can shop for gifts from colaba causeway you will get a lot of good things you should know to haggle as hell.