Mumbai- What will I expect??

rufustone · Sep 23rd, 2009, 09:00

Hi.....My family and I are travelling next year and starting off in Mumbai. We have 2 young children, both girls, aged 10 and 7. IM a slightly anxious traveller and would like some advice (or a heads up) as to what we may encounter when we hit Mumbai. WE arrive late....whats the best way to get from the airport and to our hotel (at the beach). Just how busy/smelly/safe/dangerous is the place. I cant wait to go but am a little worried about the impact of such a huge busy organism like Mumbai.

All thoughts welcomed!!

Rufus

Keith H · Sep 23rd, 2009, 13:22

Mumbai was my first Indian port of call three years ago. I had read somewhere that it is a good place to start, a bit like London on acid. And it is.
The airport arrival is a little confronting for we westeners but take a deep breath and hire a taxi to your hotel from the paid-taxi booth which used to be just outside the exit door and on your right. The fare into town was around rp350, more at night from memory.
Relax into your hotel room and rest up for the next day.
It is a very safe city and you'll love the experience. Take your time to collect the vibe of the place - there are the usual touts but nobody will bother you apart from them. We found the food and drink safe - just use a sensible approach to it and break yourself into India gently.
I'm very envious - have a great time!

dj_yn · Sep 23rd, 2009, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by rufustone

Hi.....My family and I are travelling next year and starting off in Mumbai. We have 2 young children, both girls, aged 10 and 7. IM a slightly anxious traveller and would like some advice (or a heads up) as to what we may encounter when we hit Mumbai. WE arrive late....whats the best way to get from the airport and to our hotel (at the beach). Just how busy/smelly/safe/dangerous is the place. I cant wait to go but am a little worried about the impact of such a huge busy organism like Mumbai.

All thoughts welcomed!!

Rufus

mumbai is not smelly..

arunganpath · Sep 23rd, 2009, 13:49

Rufus, have agreat time in mumbai. it is a wonderful city.

My friend Goo · Sep 23rd, 2009, 15:06

Mumbai is smelly. But not a bad smell, unusual smell. One you will miss, one you will identify with mumbai,

Taxis are still 350 to coloba

Mumbai is extremely busy. Kinda scary, but also very fascinating

Not once have i felt threatend in mumbai not even when i went to a slum on my own

spicetrekker · Sep 23rd, 2009, 15:48

Mumbai is safe city but disorganised so a bit trying for westerners at first. Take a pre-paid AC taxi to your hotel. The city is very safe provided you take precautions that you would in most large cities globally

hjdasw · Sep 23rd, 2009, 16:02

Hi - first of all, welcome to India, you will have a great time.

Like any developing country, once you land, people will offer you taxis, hotels etc. But that is ALL the issues you will face. The people are friendly, food is delicious, and if you allow the pace to set in, you'll find it exciting

BEFORE you exit the terminal building there are 2-3 car rental agencies, and a pre paid taxi counter. The taxis are quite run down, but they do the job and will take you wherever your hotel is.

I am not sure what beach you are staying on - but there are only two popular beaches (these are not like in the West) - the beaches here are more social, with local food, people frolicking, and not really any sunbathing.

As earlier posts said - be smart with your food and drink, ask for mineral water (even if they say the water is filtered); and make sure you eat cooked food (as opposed to fresh fruit salads, unless you are in a place that looks safe)

HAVE A GREAT TIME
FEAR NOT - ITS A FUN AND SAFE CITY
ENJOY YOURSELF

paulaurora · Sep 23rd, 2009, 18:34

Mumbai is fabulous...I miss the smell too. Our 10 year old loves the buzz and exposure to life of Mumbai which is as far as I think you can get from the rural Irish hamlet we live in. Having said that, as the others here mention...take it easy to start with. The airport is nothing to worry about, easy to get a taxi to your hotel. The next day rest plenty and do a short trip out to acclimatise. I would certainly avoid doing a big sightseeing trip on your first day in Mumbai as it will be enough simply having arrived in my experience. Don't worry and have a brilliant time. We are counting down to our next landing there in December.

Sep 23rd, 2009, 09:00	#1
rufustone Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 1	Mumbai- What will I expect?? Hi.....My family and I are travelling next year and starting off in Mumbai. We have 2 young children, both girls, aged 10 and 7. IM a slightly anxious traveller and would like some advice (or a heads up) as to what we may encounter when we hit Mumbai. WE arrive late....whats the best way to get from the airport and to our hotel (at the beach). Just how busy/smelly/safe/dangerous is the place. I cant wait to go but am a little worried about the impact of such a huge busy organism like Mumbai. All thoughts welcomed!! Rufus

Sep 23rd, 2009, 15:06	#5
My friend Goo The guy from La Bamba Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 255	Mumbai is smelly. But not a bad smell, unusual smell. One you will miss, one you will identify with mumbai, Taxis are still 350 to coloba Mumbai is extremely busy. Kinda scary, but also very fascinating Not once have i felt threatend in mumbai not even when i went to a slum on my own __________________ Ofelia's world The world through the eyes of an infant Last edited by My friend Goo : Sep 23rd, 2009 at 18:36.

Sep 23rd, 2009, 16:02	#7
hjdasw GOOD LIFE. NO SHAME. Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mumbai INDIA Posts: 1	Bombay (Mumbai) Hi - first of all, welcome to India, you will have a great time. Like any developing country, once you land, people will offer you taxis, hotels etc. But that is ALL the issues you will face. The people are friendly, food is delicious, and if you allow the pace to set in, you'll find it exciting BEFORE you exit the terminal building there are 2-3 car rental agencies, and a pre paid taxi counter. The taxis are quite run down, but they do the job and will take you wherever your hotel is. I am not sure what beach you are staying on - but there are only two popular beaches (these are not like in the West) - the beaches here are more social, with local food, people frolicking, and not really any sunbathing. As earlier posts said - be smart with your food and drink, ask for mineral water (even if they say the water is filtered); and make sure you eat cooked food (as opposed to fresh fruit salads, unless you are in a place that looks safe) HAVE A GREAT TIME FEAR NOT - ITS A FUN AND SAFE CITY ENJOY YOURSELF

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Sep 23rd, 2009, 13:22	#2
Keith H Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 73	Mumbai was my first Indian port of call three years ago. I had read somewhere that it is a good place to start, a bit like London on acid. And it is. The airport arrival is a little confronting for we westeners but take a deep breath and hire a taxi to your hotel from the paid-taxi booth which used to be just outside the exit door and on your right. The fare into town was around rp350, more at night from memory. Relax into your hotel room and rest up for the next day. It is a very safe city and you'll love the experience. Take your time to collect the vibe of the place - there are the usual touts but nobody will bother you apart from them. We found the food and drink safe - just use a sensible approach to it and break yourself into India gently. I'm very envious - have a great time!

Sep 23rd, 2009, 13:49	#4
arunganpath Junior most member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 752	Rufus, have agreat time in mumbai. it is a wonderful city.

Sep 23rd, 2009, 15:48	#6
spicetrekker Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 633	Mumbai is safe city but disorganised so a bit trying for westerners at first. Take a pre-paid AC taxi to your hotel. The city is very safe provided you take precautions that you would in most large cities globally

Sep 23rd, 2009, 18:34	#8
paulaurora Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ireland Posts: 51	Mumbai is fabulous...I miss the smell too. Our 10 year old loves the buzz and exposure to life of Mumbai which is as far as I think you can get from the rural Irish hamlet we live in. Having said that, as the others here mention...take it easy to start with. The airport is nothing to worry about, easy to get a taxi to your hotel. The next day rest plenty and do a short trip out to acclimatise. I would certainly avoid doing a big sightseeing trip on your first day in Mumbai as it will be enough simply having arrived in my experience. Don't worry and have a brilliant time. We are counting down to our next landing there in December.