Practical information for visiting Mumbai

Air: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is Mumbai's principal gateway. Check T1 or T2 with the airline and use the airport's current ground-transport guidance.

Rail: Long-distance services use several terminals, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus. Travel to the exact station printed on the ticket.

Regional road: Intercity buses and road services use multiple terminals and pickup points across the metropolitan region. Confirm both the operator and final boarding location.

Local: Suburban rail, Metro and BEST buses carry the main network; taxis, auto-rickshaws where permitted, and app-booked vehicles fill local gaps.

Harbour: Passenger boats serve Elephanta and other routes according to current operating and weather conditions. A ferry should never be treated as guaranteed during rough weather.

Digital: Save tickets, hotel details, addresses and an offline map. Mumbai One and individual operator tools can help, but a downloaded record remains useful during a network or service interruption.

Mumbai is a large working metropolis. Keep control of phones, wallets and bags in crowded trains, stations, markets, seafronts and festival routes, and move away from circulation paths before consulting a map.

Road traffic and rail crowding are practical risks. Use designated crossings where possible, stay behind platform safety lines and do not board a carriage that is already beyond your comfort or mobility level.

Use authorised or app-booked transport for airport and late-night journeys. Confirm the vehicle, driver and destination before departure, and do not accept unsolicited changes to a booked route or hotel.

High tides, intense rain and rough seas can close or endanger exposed coastal areas. Follow BMC, police, lifeguard and operator instructions. Do not cross barriers for a wave photograph.

Large religious or political gatherings can change access quickly. Keep a meeting point and an alternate route. Dial 112 for urgent police, fire, medical or rescue assistance; Mumbai Police also publishes its current control-room contacts.

Heat and humidity are significant from March into the monsoon transition. Move exposed walks to the morning, rest in shade or air-conditioned spaces and drink regularly. Personal medical advice should come from a qualified clinician.

During the monsoon, wet stone, standing water, disrupted drainage and contaminated flood water create practical health risks. Avoid wading where the depth, current or surface is unknown, and keep an indoor alternative when severe rain is forecast.

BMC public-health material tracks monsoon-related illnesses including mosquito-borne and water-borne disease. Use bite precautions, safe drinking water and current public-health guidance rather than assuming a single fixed risk month.

Air quality varies with weather, traffic and local conditions. Check the Central Pollution Control Board's current station data if you are sensitive to pollution or planning sustained outdoor exercise.

Carry regular medication and a copy of the prescription. Dial 112 for a medical emergency.

Dial 112 for urgent police, fire, medical or rescue assistance in Mumbai. Mumbai Police also publishes current city control-room and specialist helplines.

Give the neighbourhood, road, nearest landmark and a live or saved map pin. Station names, terminals and similarly named roads can be ambiguous, so repeat the exact location.

For flooding, dangerous tides, a building incident or another civic emergency, follow BMC Disaster Management and police instructions. The municipal disaster service publishes current warnings and uses helpline 1916.

At the airport, railway, Metro, ferry terminal, museum or protected site, also alert on-site staff. For a lost passport, contact local police and the relevant embassy or consulate. Keep offline copies of identification, insurance and emergency contacts.