Mumbai Trip Cost Breakdown 2026: How Much Will You Spend?

One of the first questions any traveler asks: how much is this trip actually going to cost? Not the vague "it depends" answer that most travel blogs give — real numbers, broken down by category, so you can plan with confidence.

Here is what a trip to Mumbai costs in 2026, from shoestring budget to full luxury, with detailed breakdowns for every major expense.

Daily Cost Summary

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation	$5	$18	$80
Food & Drink	$5	$15	$50
Transport	$2	$5	$16
Activities & Entrance Fees	$2	$8	$34
Miscellaneous	$1	$4	$20
Daily Total	$15	$50	$200

These are per-person estimates for 2026. Couples sharing a room will spend less per person on accommodation; solo travelers will pay the full rate.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation is typically the biggest single expense and varies dramatically by neighborhood and quality.

Budget ($5/night)

• Hostels with dormitory beds or basic private rooms
• Guesthouses in neighborhoods outside the main tourist core
• Budget hotels with minimal amenities but clean rooms
• Where to look: Areas away from Colaba — Gateway of India, cafes, and street markets tend to be significantly cheaper

Mid-Range ($18/night)

• 3-star hotels in good locations with breakfast included
• Boutique guesthouses in the Colaba — Gateway of India, cafes, and street markets or Bandra — Bollywood star homes, cafes, and Bandstand promenade areas
• Apartment rentals with kitchen access (great for saving on food)
• This is the sweet spot for most travelers — comfortable without overspending

Luxury ($80/night)

• 4-5 star hotels in prime locations
• Boutique luxury properties with rooftop pools, spas, and concierge service
• Serviced apartments with premium finishes in Colaba — Gateway of India, cafes, and street markets

Pro tip: Booking 2–3 months in advance typically saves 15–25% compared to last-minute rates. Shoulder season rates can be 30–40% lower than peak (Diwali festival (October/November) and Christmas-New Year).

Food & Drink Costs

Mumbai's food scene is one of its highlights, and you can eat extraordinarily well at every budget level.

Budget ($5/day)

• Breakfast: Local bakery or street stall — $1
• Lunch: Street food or market meal — $2
• Dinner: Local restaurant in a non-tourist area — $2
• What to eat: Vada Pav — spiced potato fritter in a bun, Mumbai's street burger from a street vendor is one of the best budget meals in the city

Mid-Range ($15/day)

• Breakfast: Hotel breakfast or cafe — $3
• Lunch: Sit-down restaurant — $5
• Dinner: Well-reviewed restaurant with drinks — $6
• Snacks & coffee: — $2
• What to eat: Bhel Puri — puffed rice salad with tamarind chutney at a proper sit-down restaurant is a must

Luxury ($50/day)

• Fine dining, tasting menus, rooftop restaurants, and craft cocktail bars
• What to eat: Keema Pav — spiced minced meat with soft bread rolls at a top-rated establishment
• Wine or cocktails at Mumbai's best bars add $10 per evening

Local tip: The best meal-to-dollar ratio in Mumbai is almost always at street-level eateries and markets. Tourist-facing restaurants near Gateway of India charge 2–3x local prices for similar quality.

Transport Costs

Budget ($2/day)

• Mumbai local trains are the lifeline of the city but extremely crowded at peak hours
• Walking between central attractions (free and the best way to discover hidden corners)

Mid-Range ($5/day)

• Mix of public transit and occasional taxis or ride-shares
• BEST public buses cover routes not served by trains

Luxury ($16/day)

• Private transfers, taxis for most trips, and possibly a hired driver for day trips
• Uber and Ola auto-rickshaws are cheap for short distances in suburbs

Getting from the airport: Budget $10–$40 for the airport transfer depending on whether you take public transit or a private car.

Activities & Entrance Fees

Budget ($2/day)

• Free walking tours (tip-based), parks, markets, and street exploration
• One paid attraction every other day
• Free highlights: Many of Mumbai's best experiences cost nothing — walking through Colaba — Gateway of India, cafes, and street markets, visiting public parks, and people-watching at local cafes

Mid-Range ($8/day)

• 1–2 paid attractions per day (museums, temples, viewpoints)
• Occasional guided tours or food experiences
• Gateway of India entrance: approximately $5
• Marine Drive entrance: approximately $4

Luxury ($34/day)

• Private guided tours, skip-the-line access, exclusive experiences
• Cooking classes, spa visits, and premium cultural performances

Total Trip Cost by Duration

Duration	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
3 days	$45	$150	$600
5 days	$75	$250	$1000
7 days	$105	$350	$1400
10 days	$150	$500	$2000

Per person, excluding international flights. Couples sharing accommodation will spend 20–30% less per person.

Money-Saving Tips

1. Use Mumbai local trains for fastest travel but avoid rush hours
2. Carry hand sanitizer and wet wipes for street food adventures
3. Bargain firmly at Colaba Causeway market
4. Visit free attractions — Parks, markets, and neighborhood walks cost nothing and are often the highlight of a trip
5. Uber and Ola are reliable and metered for short trips
6. Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen — breakfast and snacks from a supermarket save $6 per day
7. Visit Elephanta Caves by morning ferry to avoid afternoon heat
8. Avoid currency exchange at the airport — Rates are always worse. Use ATMs or local exchanges instead
9. Set a daily cash budget in Indian Rupee (₹) and withdraw at the start of each day
10. Book activities directly rather than through hotel concierges, who typically add a 10–20% markup

Hidden Costs to Watch For

• Tourist taxes: Some accommodations charge a nightly city or tourist tax ($1–$3/night)
• SIM card / data: A local SIM with data costs $2–$3 for a week
• Visa fees: Check whether India requires a visa — costs vary by nationality
• Travel insurance: $5–$15 per day depending on coverage level
• Tipping: Research local tipping customs — some destinations expect it, others do not
• Baggage fees: Budget airlines charge for checked luggage ($15–$50 per bag)
• ATM withdrawal fees: Some banks charge $3–$5 per transaction; use fee-free cards when possible

Is Mumbai Expensive?

Compared to other destinations in Asia: Mumbai is quite affordable. Your money goes far here, especially for food and accommodation.

The verdict: A mid-range traveler spending $50 per day in Mumbai will enjoy comfortable accommodation, excellent food, and access to all major attractions. That is a strong value proposition for what is genuinely one of Asia's best destinations.

Budget travelers can absolutely make it work for $15/day with careful planning. And at the luxury end, $200/day buys an outstanding experience by any global standard.

---

Planning a trip to Mumbai? Let TripGenie create your perfect itinerary — it's free and takes just 60 seconds.