More Information about Mumbai

Destination Overview

As the wealthiest city in India, Mumbai, previously known as Bombay, is also the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India and had an estimated population of 12.4 million as of 2011. Mumbai sits across seven islands with the land in between the islands having been reclaimed in the mid-1800s. Art lovers should be sure to stop in at Kala Ghoda Art Precinct to take in the multitude of art galleries, while the marvel of Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat and seeing thousands of people hand-washing clothing from all over Mumbai is a sight to see as well.

Flying to Mumbai

1. Which airports serve Dubai to Mumbai?

Dubai International Airport is one of the most popular airports serving flights from Dubai to Mumbai and is located only 4 km from Dubai. It is a major Middle East hub airport. The Al Maktoum Airport is also an international airport with some flights from Dubai to Mumbai. It is located 37 km west of Dubai.

2. Which airlines operate flights from Dubai to Mumbai?

Jet Airways is the major provider of these flights, with daily departures and no connections required, with Indigo, Air India, Emirates, India Express and Spicejet also offering similar flights. Other airlines, including Air France, Air Mauritius, British Airways, Cathay, Ethiopian, Gulf Air, Jazeera, KLM, Kenya, Kuwait, Lufthansa, Malaysia, Oman Air, Singapore, Saudi Arabian, Srilankan, Swiss, Thai, Turkish and Virgin Atlantic, also offer daily departures but require a connection. Flydubai, Air Canada, Air China, Iran Air, Korean, Egyptair, and RwandAir offer some additional departures throughout the week.

3. How long is the flight?

If you book a direct flight from Dubai to Mumbai, you can expect it to take approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. With layovers, there are many other options that might take upwards of 6 hours. Mumbai is 1 hour and 30 minutes ahead of Dubai.

4. Climate changes between Dubai to Mumbai

While Mumbai’s warm temperature is consistent throughout the year, while Dubai experiences more varied weather with extreme heat from May through September. Even though Dubai gets very little rain, Mumbai receives heavy rains between June and September.

5. Culture differences and need-to-know

Mumbai’s currency is the Indian Rupee and it can be acquired at most Mumbai banks, international airports, hotels and money exchange booths. Credit cards such as MasterCard and Visa can be used at ATMs to obtain currency as well.

A visa is required to enter India, in addition to a valid passport with six months’ validity beyond the date of your visa application. US citizens planning to visit no longer than 60 days for tourist purposes may apply for an electronic travel authorization at least four days prior to their arrival.

City Information

Those who enjoy shopping will love Mumbai’s active street markets. From the numerous pavement vendors that line Colaba Causeway, to the Chor Bazaar Thieves Market with a plentiful supply of antiques, Mumbai is a great place for street shopping.

The imposing Haji Ali is both a tomb and a mosque and should be a stop on your itinerary as well but be sure to schedule your visit during low tide, as this is the only time that it can be reached. As the home of Bollywood, you can tour the sets of movies or even stop at a theater to take one in when you need some downtime. After a busy day, you might also be interested in taking some time to explore the Juhu and Marine Drive Chowpatty Beaches. For dining try the recommended Sea Lounge, the Yazdani Bakery and Café, and The Pantry. There are numerous other eateries available serving the excellent local cuisine.