Mumbai is fascinating. Noisy, chaotic and crowded, and at the same time so inviting, exciting and diverse. Immersing yourself in its ambiguous climate is a tremendous idea for a memorable journey. However, as wonderful as Mumbai is, it may also be quite intense and challenging for those who travel to India for the first time. Therefore, it is better to make some preparations so as to avoid possible nuisances awaiting a foreign visitor; but if you’re prepared, worry not, your will have the most adventurous time. To help you out, here are 8 tips that will help you safely enjoy the bustling Indian megacity:
1. Don't book accommodation with poor reviews
Even if you’re up for an adventure and don’t mind rough conditions, do trust the opinions of the previous guests, as there is a reason why the accommodation you’re looking at has been rated 3.3 out of 10. If you go for the lowest-cost option, you may be faced with the lack of hot water, no bed sheets, or other unpleasant surprises. There’s no need to put yourself through this, especially since there are so many alternatives with a great value for money to choose from. You’ll fare better if you spend a bit more for a place with good reviews - after all, it is your comfort that is at stake.
2. Watch out for taxes while booking your accommodation
Keep your eyes peeled for details when browsing services like Booking.com. Contrary to our intuition, some accommodation providers in India do not include taxes in the price offered online. The information about the taxes is usually added at the bottom of the booking page and typed with a small font size that may escape your attention. Always look out for this information, as the actual price can run as high as 120% of what was initially offered.
3. Remember to pack a pair of ear plugs
According to researchers, Mumbai is the noisiest city in the world. The noise pollution can be more troublesome for a tourist than the air pollution, causing headaches and adding to the overall tiredness after hours of sightseeing. It’s hard to protect yourself from noise in the daytime — all your senses are necessary to navigate through the dense traffic — but, thankfully, you can make up for it at night. Remember, however, that a city as enormous as Mumbai never sleeps: if your window happens to face the street, you’ll be exposed to traffic noise from dusk to dawn. But don’t worry: a simple pair of ear plugs will sort this one out for you.
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4. If possible, use pre-paid taxis
Many experienced travellers to India advise the beginners to avoid regular taxis one finds in the streets — especially if you’re travelling alone. The story goes that you might be intentionally brought to a different hotel than the one you asked for, you can be taken along a longer route or you could be asked to pay some extra money you did not expect. This does not necessarily need to happen, but by booking a pre-paid taxi, you are always on the safer side. How does it work? You pay for the drive at the reception of your hotel or at a designated desk at the airport. Then, you receive a paper confirmation with the name and address of the destination, ID of the car, and the amount paid. These taxis are members of larger companies, therefore, they can be easily tracked. Pre-paid taxis are slightly more expensive than the regular ones, but totally worth it for peace of mind.
Another alternative is using OLA Cabs, a company with a great reputation throughout the whole of India. In order to book a car, you need to download a special app onto your smartphone and add some initial credit to your OLA account (which will be used for paying for the drive). The only issue, however, is that most likely you will not have mobile internet on your smartphone, therefore, you won’t be able to access the app if there’s no Wi-Fi around. Also, some foreign credit and debit cards won’t work with the application. But it’s nonetheless worth trying; if you manage to set things up, you will enjoy quick and reliable service, with good value for money.
Mumbai Tour Guide
Sukanya Roy Choudhury
I am a licensed guide but Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. I am also a visiting faculty teaching travel and tourism in the University of Mumbai and Patkar Varde College. Have alot of fun facts and stories about the city which I would be happy to share.
Tours by Sukanya
5. If you plan to use public transport, always check the route of the bus online
I highly recommend using the public transportation in Mumbai. It requires, however, some preparation, as the information boards at the bus stops are NOT bilingual. That’s why it is best to spare a couple of minutes for online research beforehand. The easiest tool is Google Maps. The timings and routes are up to date, and it also takes traffic into account. It’s good to do it while still having access to your hotel’s Wi-Fi, since using your mobile internet abroad can be dauntingly expensive.
Once on the bus, you pay (usually up to 20 INR / 0.30 USD) directly to the conductor, as every vehicle has a person who’s in charge of the tickets. He’ll be there to help you: tell him the name of your destination or write it down on a piece of paper, and then he will inform you when to leave the bus.
While it takes some preparatory effort, trying out the public transport in Mumbai is a worthwhile experience. Not only is it the most economic way to move around, but it also allows you to see parts of the city you wouldn’t come across otherwise, and colourful, busy markets and narrow streets look dazzling from the bus window.
6. Memorise Hindi numerals
The front numbers of the buses are also NOT bilingual. There is a small Arabic number on the side, but since it’s located towards the bottom of the vehicle, it may escape your attention when you’re in a rush and need to swiftly jump aboard. Hence, take a few minutes to learn Hindi numerals from 1 to 10. Some of them are quite similar to our familiar Arabic digits anyway, and memorising the rest will take you only a moment.
7. If someone offers to be your guide, remember that it is a paid service
While sightseeing ancient temples or historical monuments, you will most probably be approached by a person who will want to show you around the place. Remember that this is NOT a free service. Therefore, if you genuinely feel like having a guided tour, you can go for it – but it is best to establish the price first.
8. Be mindful when faced with poverty
This might be the most heartbreaking point of all. If you’re travelling to Mumbai, it is more than certain that you will sooner or later encounter extreme poverty that involves children, severely disabled people, and elderly persons. However, you need to remember that evidence points to begging being a part of a structured crime industry. By giving a coin to a child, you are not alleviating his misery; the money will most likely go to his relentless patrons, and he will have to return to the very same spot tomorrow, and the day after. As hard as it is to say ‘No’ and go your way, it is the most constructive and safe response a tourist can reach for.
Stay safe and have a tremendous time!
As unnerving as it might have seemed, we made it to the end of the list! Bearing these cues in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy Mumbai at its finest – and trust me, there’s a lot of terrific stuff to do. The taste of exotic fruits, the colours of the bazaar, the gentle breeze stroking the surface of the sea – let the beauty of India enchant you. Stay smart, but keep your heart opened to all the adventures awaiting you just behind the corner!
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