A Short Stay in Mumbai: Impressions & Practical Advice for Travelers

 

Mumbai

Mumbai is one of those places you hear a lot about even before getting there — usually words like chaotic, crowded, vibrant, and nonstop come up. All true, but they come with a unique feeling, a different color — chaotic in Mumbai is different from chaotic in New York City. You have to personally experience it to get the distinction. Formerly known as Bombay, the city has a history shaped by colonialism, trade, migration, and constant reinvention. It started as seven separate islands, gradually connected by land reclamation, and became a key port under British rule. Today, it's not only the capital of the state of Maharashtra but also the financial and entertainment hub of India — home to Bollywood, stock exchanges, tech startups, slums, skyscrapers, and just about everything in between.

As of now, Mumbai has a population of over 20 million people, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It’s a city where space is limited, time moves fast, and people keep going. Compared to most other Indian states, Maharashtra is more urbanized, more industrial, and — at least in the cities — a little more progressive. However, you’ll also find deep-rooted customs and traditions, and a strong movement around speaking Marathi (the local language) is just one example of the region’s strong identity.

Getting around

Getting around Mumbai can be challenging. The local trains are famously packed, and the traffic never really stops. But I have to say, after spending a week in other Indian cities, I actually felt pretty comfortable here. Thinking about all those quotes like "crossing the street may feel like an adventure" just made me smile. Yes, some areas feel chaotic and finding parking can be tough, but all in all, it’s more than manageable.

In fact, watching drivers stop for traffic lights along Marine Drive almost made me smile — it was a degree of order I had assumed was impossible in the city by that point. So no, I never really felt like I was barely ‘surviving’ in Mumbai, as some blogs would have you believe.

Practically speaking, I walked a fair bit, but given the weather — it’s very humid and hot during the summer — it quickly saps your energy. So I mostly used Uber to get around. It’s an affordable and convenient option. For example, a ride from the Gateway of India to Marine Drive cost around 180 rupees — or about 2 USD — for roughly a 15-minute trip. So really, what more can one desire?

Busy - and not

Despite Mumbai being such a dense and sprawling metropolis, you'll find that, just like anywhere else, there are crowds — and yet, right around the corner, there are quiet spots. You just need to know where to look. Sometimes, you’ll even stumble upon them in the most unexpected places — at least, unexpected to me as a visitor.

For example, I was extremely surprised to find Gandhi's historical residence, Mani Bhavan (now a museum), completely deserted — and in the middle of the day on a weekend, no less. I wasn’t sure exactly what I had expected, but compared to the crowds you'd encounter at places like the Sun Yat-sen memorial or Red Square, the emptiness of Mani Bhavan was almost shocking. There was just one tourist family and a local couple — and that was it. Not to mention, there were only a couple of staff members and very little signage.

On the other hand, I encountered huge crowds at places like the Gateway of India and Siddhivinayak Temple — with lineups of at least half an hour just to get through the entrance gates. So when you plan your itinerary, keep in mind that wait times and timing of your visits can make a big difference. But I’m sure you already knew that.

A Room with a View

I planned to stay in South Mumbai — close to the places I’d planned to visit — but I also wanted a view of the bay. That’s how I ended up choosing the Trident Nariman Point. I was NOT disappointed. My Ocean View Room looked out over the curve of the bay, the skyline on one side and open sea on the other. The long sweep of road and sea known as the Queen’s Necklace, stretching from Nariman Point to Malabar Hill, is a magical kaleidoscope — changing with the light, from day into night. Mumbai Bay stretches out into the Arabian Sea on the left, fading into the horizon — a shimmering blue when the sun is out, and an ominous grey under clouds.

While the hotel is busy, the details are well thought out, and the staff are impressively attentive. The room is airy and bright, with thoughtful touches that made it noticeably more comfortable than a typical high-end hotel — things like two sizes of slippers, extra toiletries, and other small conveniences.

It’s not cheap (I paid just under $200 USD per night), but it delivered what I was hoping for — and a little more. For example, when I checked out and had some time before heading to the train station, the staff kindly offered me a free tea and some snacks at the lobby café. A small gesture, but reflective of their level of customer service — especially considering their Darjeeling tea normally runs close to $10.

Work in progress... To be continued...