2 days in Mumbai’s South Mumbai core, budgeted honestly Mumbai, called Bombay until the government renamed it in November 1995, is India’s largest city and its financial capital, and also its most expensive one. Two days here means the South Mumbai core done properly, not the whole city: the Gateway of India, a free heritage walk through the Fort and Colaba, Marine Drive, and the Elephanta Caves ferry if the calendar and the weather cooperate.

3 days in Mumbai’s South Mumbai core, on a budget Mumbai, called Bombay until the government renamed it in November 1995, is India’s largest city and its financial capital, and its most expensive one too. Three days is enough to cover the South Mumbai core properly and add a fuller half: the Gateway of India, a free Fort and Colaba heritage walk, Marine Drive, the Elephanta Caves ferry, then Dhobi Ghat, Haji Ali and a Bandra evening on Day 3.

4 days in Mumbai, the honest budget version Four days covers Mumbai’s honest budget core: two days of South Mumbai sights and the Elephanta ferry, a third day of Dhobi Ghat, Haji Ali and a Bandra evening, then a fourth day out in the northern suburbs for Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the Kanheri Caves, roughly Rs 4,550-11,300 total before flights. Want a different length? The 2-day and 3-day itineraries stay inside South Mumbai.

5 days in Mumbai, from the South Mumbai core to the suburbs Mumbai, called Bombay until the government renamed it in November 1995, is India’s largest city, its financial capital, and by common agreement its most expensive one too, though it still runs cheap next to a comparable Western city break. Five days is enough to cover the South Mumbai core properly, add the Elephanta Caves and a Bandra evening, push out to the Kanheri Caves and a Dharavi tour, and close with a cheap food and markets day.

6 days in Mumbai, the honest budget version Six days covers Mumbai’s honest budget core plus room to breathe: South Mumbai sights and the Elephanta ferry, a Dhobi Ghat and Bandra day, a suburbs day at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a full street-food and market day, and one cheap day trip out of the city by train or ferry, roughly Rs 7,000-17,200 total before flights. Want a different length? The 2-day , 3-day and 4-day itineraries stay inside South Mumbai and its nearest suburbs.

7 days in Mumbai, from the South Mumbai core to a day trip beyond the city Mumbai, renamed from Bombay by the government in November 1995, is India’s largest city, its financial capital, and by common agreement its most expensive one too, though it still runs cheap next to a comparable Western city break. A full week buys real depth: five days working through the South Mumbai core, the Elephanta Caves, Dhobi Ghat, Haji Ali and Bandra, the northern suburbs and a Dharavi tour, plus two more days out on cheap public transport, a train into the hills at Lonavala-Khandala (or Matheran) and a ferry across the harbour to Alibaug or Kashid.

Mumbai, renamed from Bombay in November 1995, is India’s largest city and its financial capital, and it has a real reputation as the country’s most expensive place to travel. That reputation is only half true. A traveller who eats street food, rides the local trains and sticks to the free sights can get through a full day here for a couple thousand rupees. Add restaurants, taxis and paid attractions and that same day can cost three times as much.