From Wikitravel

This article is an itinerary.

Two Days in Mumbai is the ultimate way to spend two days in India's most dynamic and cosmopolitan city.

[edit] Understand

This article is an itinerary.

The following itenary basically describes two different ways to spend a day in Mumbai. The itenary for Day 1 is very different from that of Day 2. Thus, if you simply have a single day to spare, it is best to mix-match and merge the two itineraries. This way you'll experience the real feel of Mumbai.

The price estimates provided below take the transportation, admission fees, food and drink into account. However, it does not include accommodation and the transportation cost between your hotel to the first and last attraction.

[edit] Prepare

Equip yourself well with the following list of items. Start early on Day 1, buy them off the sidewalk/local stores and then begin your day.

• Mineral Water - Always keep a bottle with you. The heat can get quite unbearable during summer afternoons. Popular brands include Bisleri and Aquafina, a 1L bottle costs around Rs 13.
• Eicher City Map - An excellent city-map of Mumbai with detailed listings. Familiarize yourself with it before you begin, or alternatively trace your route on it. Rs 30.
• BEST Route Map - Thanks to the density of bus routes in the city, the map is quite hard to decipher. Although bus routes are listed in the itenary, you may have to find out about a few others if you plan to mix/match the order of the sights. People are very helpful in general, check up the BEST Route Finder for detailed information on the routes. The map is available at news-stands. Rs 10.
• BEST Day Pass - A Day Pass is valid all day on all buses except A and Exp services. On the day that you choose to visit Thane and/or Navi Mumbai, invest in this card as it will save you up to Rs 20. Sold by conductors on-board for Rs 40.
• Change - Many conductors in the early hours of the morning may not have change. Taxi drivers at this time also tend not to have any. Stock lots of 1, 2 and 5 rupee coins. 10 rupee notes are also useful.

[edit] Day1: Downtown Loop

Day 1 races you through South Bombay, the center of Mumbai's cultural and business scene. Approximate cost per person: Rs 2000

[edit] Morning

Skip your hotel beakfast and hit the sidewalk instead. Songs have been written about Bombay's streetfood, and the hype is justified. Eat a plate of bhelpuri followed by a vada pav, and cool off with a refreshing glass of coconut or mango juice.

Catch a local train heading south to Victoria Terminus. Gaze in awe at the red facade, brass grills and the large entrance clock, each a perfect example of Victorian Railway architecture. After that, it's time to head down to Apollo Bunder and watch the pigeons at the Gateway of India, the icon of the city. To do this, it is best to walk south down the Colaba Causeway, shopping as you stroll along. Turn left into Shivaji Marg after a mile and you will see the Gateway after half a mile. If you feel tired along the way, hop on to Bus 2LTD, 22LTD, 43 or 44. Spend the rest of the morning near the Gateway, and have lunch at one of the Taj's restaurants, where you can expect a gourmet experience.

[edit] Afternoon

Time to beat the heat and cool off. Take Bus 132 or 70 to the Churchgate Station. Visit Mumbai's two cricket stadiums, the Brabourne and the Wankhede, both a stone's throw away. Catch the Virar Fast and hop off at Marine Lines. Welcome to Marine Drive, an arc-shaped road that sweeps a promenade running from Malabar Hill to Nariman Point. Cross the road and you'll find yourself at Chowpatty Beach. Lie down in the sand and relax. Take a dip in the Arabian Sea. If you're bored, stroll around, watching the traffic swirling past, eating your day's second plate of bhelpuri.

[edit] Evening

As the sun sets, prepare for a short walk around the Kala Ghoda district. If you're not feeling energetic enough to take a bus, opt for a CoolCab, the blue-and-grey air-conditioned taxis. Get off at The Prince of Wales Museum, renowned for its ivory statuettes, Mughal paintings and objets d'art. Don't spend more than an hour here as the museum shuts by 6PM. Note that it is closed on Mondays. After that, hit Mello Road and you will see the magnificent Esplanade Mansion. Turn left and walk past the Old Secretariat and the David Sassoon Library. Follow your route to the University Road using your road map, and visit the Bombay University Fort Campus. If you still have time to spare, you can select any of the following sights. All of them are equally impressive.

• Rajabai Clock Tower - 78m high, adorned with figures representing various Indian communities
• High Court - The building looks like a fortress and is the second largest public building in the city
• Army & Navy Building - A departmental store in the early 90s, it now houses many offices of the Tata group

Walk furthur down the causeway and eat dinner at the famous Leopald's Café. That's it for Day 1. Take a taxi back to your hotel.

[edit] Day 2: Beaches, Shopping and more...

Day 2 races you through the attractions that you missed out on Day 1. Approximate cost per person: Rs 500.

[edit] Morning

Day 2 involves long-distance travelling, so buy a Day Pass if you choose to travel by the red buses. They're cheap, regular and are a fascinating way to travel through the streets of Bombay.

Start off with a light breakfast of pastries and coffee at your local branch of Barista or Cafe Coffee Day. Make your way to Mumbai Central and walk around Bombay's midtown, an extremely busy neighborhood that is considered the heart of Mumbai.

[edit] Afternoon and Evening

Choose between two different itenaries, the Shopping Spree or the Beach Chilling.

[edit] Shopping Spree

Bombay is a shopper's paradise. Start off at Kemp's corner, where you could buy some nice old second-hand books and antiques rock-bottom prices. After that, move on to Inorbit, one of Asia's largest malls, where you can buy trendy upmarket wear, electronics, cosmetics, gifts and books. Eat at any of the 15 restaurants and cafes, or try India's largest food-court on the 3rd floor.

Link Road (the same street on which Inorbit is located) has plenty of good shops.

[edit] Beach Chilling

Bombay has plenty of beaches to choose from. Start off by strolling down the Bandra Promenade, marvelling at the promenade. Follow that up with Juhu, famous for its bhelpuri and infamous for the litter strewn all over the area. If you want to see some clean but otherwise pretty boring beaches, go north in a local to the suburbs of Northwest Mumbai and get off at any any of the Western Line stations. Goregaon is another option in the same area, and is home to the Bollywood filmcity.

Once you're done, eat dinner at one of the numerous Udupi restaurants, where you can savour delicious idlis or dosas, served with piping hot sambhar.

[edit] Stay safe

Mumbai is a safe city and violent crime is fairly low. However, beware of pickpockets and keep your money safely in your wallet.

• National Helplines
  • Police 100
  • Fire 101
  • Ambulance 102
  • Accident & Trauma 1099

This is a usable itinerary. It explains how to get there and touches on all the major points along the way. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!