Mumbai is India's financial and entertainment capital, a dense, fast-moving city on the Konkan coast with a deep natural harbour. It began as an archipelago of seven islands and grew through successive waves of migration, so its neighbourhoods take their character from the communities that settled there first.
For a visitor, the practical division is between the southern peninsula, known as Old Mumbai, where the business district and the tourist areas are found, and the suburbs further north, including the Western Suburbs near the airport. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, and what each is like for different kinds of traveller.
Best areas to stay in Mumbai
1. Colaba
Colaba, at the southern tip of the peninsula, is where most budget foreign travellers stay, and it has the largest concentration of guest houses in the city. It is also where you find the top end of the market, including the oldest hotel in India. For a first visit it puts you in the touristy part of South Mumbai, close to the sights.
It suits first-time visitors and budget travellers who want to be in the thick of things. Expect guest houses and high-end hotels side by side. One practical point: this is South Mumbai, and the state of public transport and traffic means staying elsewhere in the city is not really a good choice for getting around.
2. South Mumbai more broadly (including the business district)
If you are a tourist or a business traveller, you may have to stay in South Mumbai, which is where both the business district and the touristy areas are. It is the most convenient base for the sights, but lack of space means that even the cheapest hotel charges stratospheric tariffs.
This area suits visitors who prioritise access over price. The trade-off is cost: good-budget hotels are very difficult to find in Mumbai as a whole, and South Mumbai is the sharpest example of that.
3. The Western Suburbs
If you are looking for hotels close to the CSMI airport, you should be looking at the Western Suburbs. This is the practical choice if your trip is built around flights rather than sightseeing in the south.
It suits travellers with early departures or late arrivals, and those doing business in the northern part of the city. Note that things are not much better here if you are hunting for budget rooms near the airport.
4. Around railway stations: Dadar and Santacruz
Other budget hotels are found near railway stations, such as Dadar or Santacruz. These are the cheapest options on paper, but most of them are absolute dumps, so treat the area as a fallback rather than a first choice.
This suits travellers who need to be near the rail network and are willing to accept basic conditions. The practical advantage is connectivity by train; the practical disadvantage is the standard of the accommodation itself.
5. Andheri
Andheri is named as one of the branches where reasonably priced accommodation is available, alongside Colaba, Bombay Central and CBD Belapur. It sits in the northern part of the city, within reach of the airport side of town.
It suits travellers who want a reasonably priced base away from the southern peninsula. As with anywhere north of the peninsula, plan around the traffic and public transport when judging how easily you can reach the sights.
6. CBD Belapur
CBD Belapur is also named as a branch with reasonably priced accommodation. It lies well beyond the island city, in the wider metropolitan region.
It suits travellers whose business or plans are in that direction rather than in South Mumbai. Be realistic about distances: from here you are a long way from the tourist areas of the peninsula.
7. Bombay Central
Bombay Central is another location with reasonably priced accommodation, and it sits close to a major railway terminus. That makes it a functional base for arrivals and departures by train.
It suits travellers moving through the rail network who want a reasonably priced room. As with the other railway-area options, weigh the convenience of the terminus against the time it takes to reach the southern sights.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: guest houses in Colaba; budget hotels near railway stations such as Dadar or Santacruz, though most of these are absolute dumps; YMCA branches at Colaba, Bombay Central, Andheri and CBD Belapur; and paying-guest stays with a local family, arranged through the Government of India tourist office opposite Churchgate.
- Mid-range: reasonably priced accommodation is available at the YMCA branches named above and in the Western Suburbs if you need to be near the CSMI airport. Note that good-budget hotels are very difficult to find in Mumbai, and lack of space pushes even the cheapest rooms to high tariffs.
- Splurge: the high end is concentrated in Colaba and South Mumbai, where money is no object and you can stay at the city's best-known luxury properties.
Best area for a first visit
Colaba is the best base for a first visit. It is where the touristy areas of South Mumbai are, it has the widest spread of places to stay from guest houses to luxury properties, and it is where most budget foreign travellers choose to stay. Basing yourself here keeps you in South Mumbai, which the sources identify as the sensible choice given the state of public transport and traffic elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is it easy to find a good budget hotel in Mumbai?
No. It is very difficult to find good-budget hotels in Mumbai, and lack of space means even the cheapest hotel charges stratospheric tariffs. Guest houses in Colaba and the YMCA branches are the more reliable economical options.
Should I stay near the airport?
If you want to be close to the CSMI airport, look at the Western Suburbs. Things are not much better there if you are searching for budget rooms, but it is the right part of the city for airport access.
Are the cheap hotels near the railway stations a good option?
Budget hotels near stations such as Dadar or Santacruz exist, but most of them are absolute dumps. Treat them as a last resort rather than a plan.
Can I stay with a local family instead of a hotel?
Yes. One inexpensive alternative is to live with a local family as a paying guest. A list of available families can be obtained from the Government of India tourist office opposite Churchgate.
Compare live prices for the areas that fit your trip using the booking tools on this page.