How long to stay in Mumbai? (Jan-Feb 2010)

mr_november · Oct 9th, 2009, 10:42

Hey IM!

Jan-Feb 2010 will be our second trip to India, this time travelling Mumbai to Chennai via Kerala and Tamil Nadu for one month.

Just wondering everyone's thoughts on how long to stay in Mumbai?

We are in our early 20s, like big cities, on a small budget, and are up for pretty much everything the city has to offer (except clubbing haha).

At the moment we are planning on staying 5 days but we are not sure if this is too long or short.

Cheers,

Gareth

ksk · Oct 9th, 2009, 12:09

hey gareth!!! if you dont mind me asking, when are you planning on being there? I am also planning a trip to Mumbai in late Jan...will be going from melbourne, via KL hopefully! Have no idea about where to stay etc, if you guys find out anything, let me in on the secret? im planning on being there from 26th....will be busy till abut 29th....would love to see as much of mumbai possible till about 8-9th of feb!

cheers,
savita

mr_november · Oct 10th, 2009, 08:49

We'll be there pretty much the same time. Fly in 24 Jan via Bangkok.

We are thinking of staying at YWCA, or possibly ISKCON.

capt_mahajan · Oct 10th, 2009, 08:54

In a one month trip, 5 days are probably too much for Mumbai- unless you really like big cities.

Your small budget will also be under greater pressure in Mumbai.

mr_november · Oct 11th, 2009, 13:17

Thanks Capt, the budget factor is a very good point.

machadinha · Oct 11th, 2009, 15:07

Mumbai can be very nice to experience; however budget will be a major factor here yes. It is a very expensive city, compared to most anywhere else in India.

Notably on the accommodation front (the price of a lousy budget room here would see you to a very decent room elsewhere); but beyond that too, it's very easy to see your money evaporate over nothing in particular. I easily spent some Rs. 5000 every day or two here earlier this year; and spoke to many who had similar experiences. I guess as with any big city too, it's very easy to just unknowingly spend your days having a snack here, a taxi there, a phone call or web cafe session, an admission price to see something, etc., and somehow it tends to add up before you know it.

So budget travelers generally aim to spend as little time as possible here.

btw One tip to enjoy your time here, get a hold of TimeOut Mumbai, a fortnightly magazine with cultural listings and stuff, can be had at most newspaper sellers. Costs maybe Rs. 45 or so, it's quite good. Lots of free events listed too, and ranging from the classical to the hip and modern and whatnot, and including the latest culinary tips and art galleries and children's events and gay life and etc. Their website: http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/ (they have editions in a few other of the metros as well).

namaste_cat · Oct 11th, 2009, 22:23

I'd do 3-4 days in Mumbai if one has only a month in India. Lodging is rather expensive there, though one can find fun cheap things to do e.g. walks, people watching.

mr_november · Oct 12th, 2009, 13:47

Thanks so much machadinha and namaste_cat, those comments are really helpful.

Will definately pick up a Timeout and do some people watching!

Oct 9th, 2009, 10:42	#1
mr_november Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 6	How long to stay in Mumbai? (Jan-Feb 2010) Hey IM! Jan-Feb 2010 will be our second trip to India, this time travelling Mumbai to Chennai via Kerala and Tamil Nadu for one month. Just wondering everyone's thoughts on how long to stay in Mumbai? We are in our early 20s, like big cities, on a small budget, and are up for pretty much everything the city has to offer (except clubbing haha). At the moment we are planning on staying 5 days but we are not sure if this is too long or short. Cheers, Gareth

Oct 10th, 2009, 08:54	#4
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,607	In a one month trip, 5 days are probably too much for Mumbai- unless you really like big cities. Your small budget will also be under greater pressure in Mumbai. __________________ . Outside the machine

Oct 11th, 2009, 15:07	#6
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,391	Mumbai can be very nice to experience; however budget will be a major factor here yes. It is a very expensive city, compared to most anywhere else in India. Notably on the accommodation front (the price of a lousy budget room here would see you to a very decent room elsewhere); but beyond that too, it's very easy to see your money evaporate over nothing in particular. I easily spent some Rs. 5000 every day or two here earlier this year; and spoke to many who had similar experiences. I guess as with any big city too, it's very easy to just unknowingly spend your days having a snack here, a taxi there, a phone call or web cafe session, an admission price to see something, etc., and somehow it tends to add up before you know it. So budget travelers generally aim to spend as little time as possible here. btw One tip to enjoy your time here, get a hold of TimeOut Mumbai, a fortnightly magazine with cultural listings and stuff, can be had at most newspaper sellers. Costs maybe Rs. 45 or so, it's quite good. Lots of free events listed too, and ranging from the classical to the hip and modern and whatnot, and including the latest culinary tips and art galleries and children's events and gay life and etc. Their website: http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/ (they have editions in a few other of the metros as well). __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kerala Jan 2009 - where to stay how long?	Bebee	Kerala	3	Jun 5th, 2008 20:12
Mumbai Weather in late Jan or early Feb	ChinaDoll	Mumbai (Bombay)	4	Jan 5th, 2006 13:21

Oct 9th, 2009, 12:09	#2
ksk Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 8	hey gareth!!! if you dont mind me asking, when are you planning on being there? I am also planning a trip to Mumbai in late Jan...will be going from melbourne, via KL hopefully! Have no idea about where to stay etc, if you guys find out anything, let me in on the secret? im planning on being there from 26th....will be busy till abut 29th....would love to see as much of mumbai possible till about 8-9th of feb! cheers, savita

Oct 10th, 2009, 08:49	#3
mr_november Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 6	We'll be there pretty much the same time. Fly in 24 Jan via Bangkok. We are thinking of staying at YWCA, or possibly ISKCON.

Oct 11th, 2009, 13:17	#5
mr_november Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 6	Thanks Capt, the budget factor is a very good point.

Oct 11th, 2009, 22:23	#7
namaste_cat Kashmiri-Punjabi Sherni Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Amreeka Posts: 941	I'd do 3-4 days in Mumbai if one has only a month in India. Lodging is rather expensive there, though one can find fun cheap things to do e.g. walks, people watching.

Oct 12th, 2009, 13:47	#8
mr_november Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 6	Thanks so much machadinha and namaste_cat, those comments are really helpful. Will definately pick up a Timeout and do some people watching!