Travel Guides: All Countries / Asia / India / Mumbai
 |  | Fact File : Mumbai |
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| | | Mumbai | | Did you know?
The Bollywood film industry in Mumbai churns out more than 900 films every year.
Language
Hindi, Marathi and Gujerati. English is the unofficial business language and is still widely spoken.
Visas
A six-month tourist visa is necessary and is valid for multiple entries within that period. Ask your travel agent for details.
Getting there
Several airlines fly direct from London to Mumbai (Bombay) including British Airways and Air India.
Flying time from London
Around nine and a half hours.
Getting around
Buses are good but overcrowded, particularly during rush hour. The train network is efficient but also busy. Female travellers should take advantage of women-only carriages. Both rail and bus travel are good for experiencing the sights, sounds and sometimes, unfortunately, smells of India close-up. Taxis and auto rickshaws are cheap and plentiful. Bicycles are also easily rented.
Currency
Rupee. You are not allowed to bring Indian currency into the country, so change it when you arrive.
Costs
This is a very cheap country to visit. Litre of petrol 25p; bottle of beer 70-80p; moderate restaurant meal 60p; roll of camera film £1.25; four-mile taxi ride 20p. Prices jump when you head into tourist centres.
Weather
Climatic conditions vary hugely across such a vast country. In general there are three seasons: hot, wet and cool. Mumbai's monsoon weather is between May-Sept. Expect high humidity too. 2005 brought devastating rains and floods to the city. It is hot between Nov-April with temperatures often above 30C.
Time difference
Five and a half hours ahead of GMT.
International dialling code from the UK
00 91.
Voltage
230-240V, 50Hz AC. Sockets take plugs with three round pins; you will need an adapter for European appliances.
Opening hours
Official business hours are 9.30am-5.30pm - unofficially 10am-5pm - but banks close by 2pm and travellers' cheque transactions usually cease 30 minutes before closing time.
Health - before you go
Take medical advice two months before you travel. Immunisations you should consider include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, cholera and yellow fever. Make sure tetanus and polio jabs are up to date. Malaria is also a risk in certain areas. Take out adequate health insurance to cover emergency costs. Be aware of the risk of outbreaks of disease in areas of southern India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands affected by last December's tidal waves. Seek medical advice about endemic diseases.
Health - when you are there
Diarrhoea is common due to change in food and climate but need not be serious. Replenish lost fluids. Drink bottled water and avoid ice and ice cream. Try to eat only cooked or peeled fruit and vegetables. The embassy or any five-star hotel will be able to recommend a doctor or clinic.
Warnings
Keep valuables with you at all times and take extra care to protect your belongings on trains. Women travellers should take extra care.
Emergency
The national police emergency number is 100. British Deputy High Commissioner, Maker Chambers IV, 222 Jamnalal Bajaj Road (PO Box 11714), Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021. Tel: (00 91) 22 2830517.
Customs
Use your right hand for all social interactions, whether passing money, food or any other item. Use only your right hand for eating. Bargain, and bargain hard.
Pets
Pets returning from India will have to spend six months in quarantine.
Tipping
In tourist hotels a service charge of 10% is normally charged; elsewhere 5-15 rupees is generally enough. Such a baksheesh, or tip, is expected, and will help to keep everything running as smoothly as possible.
Tourist office
Government of India Tourist Office, 7 Cork Street, London W1S 3LH. Tel 020 7437 3677. 24-hour brochure line: 01233 211999.
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