Book cheap flights to Mumbai

The most popular period to visit for tourists is during the winter months of November to February. With the high temperatures all year round, this season brings a welcome relief with cooler evenings, as opposed to the warmer evenings of the spring and summer (March – October). Events that you can enjoy during this time are the Christmas celebrations in December and the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in February. If you want the best hotel deals, consider a stay during the summer (June – October), which is also the monsoon season. Make sure to pack plenty of light clothing for the evenings. The reward for visiting during this time is the fact that it’s one of the most beautiful times in Mumbai, especially if you book accommodation by the sea. During this time, you can take part in a variety of events and activities, such as Adventure Mania Andheri from May to June and night treks on Garbett Plateau.

South African passport holders should get an Indian E-visa in order to visit Mumbai. This visa is valid for 30 days after the date of entry. For your application, simply provide digital copies of your South African passport and a passport-type photograph. For more information, visit the VisaHQ website.

South African Consulate in Mumbai.

Address: Gandhi Mansion, 20 Altamount Road, 400 026, PO Box 6504, Mumbai

Phone: 912223513725

Fax: 91222353730

Before you depart for India, make sure you receive all the routine vaccinations. Depending on your activity in Mumbai, you may need to guard against additional diseases. These include:

• Hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera – transmitted through contaminated food and water.

• Hepatitis B – transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated needles and blood products.

• Rabies – transmitted through the bites of infected mammals, such as dogs.

• Malaria – transmitted through the bites of day-time mosquitos.

• Zika – transmitted through the bites of day-time mosquitos and sexual contact.

While Mumbai is a relatively save city, it’s best to travel with groups when using public transport and at night. Stay alert, since as a tourist, you may stand out among the locals.

The best places to book a stay are close to the airport, in the Western suburbs, or near the railway, where there is considerably cheaper accommodation. More reasonably priced rooms are available at branches of the YMCA, in areas such as Bombay Central, Andheri, and CBD Belapur.

The public transport system will get you to every part of the city. It includes taxis, auto-rickshaws, buses, trains, metro, ferry, chauffeur-driven services and bikes. Your best option for getting around Mumbai, however, are the private taxis. While they are more expensive than other taxi services, they maintain a high standard that includes air conditioning, digital and tamper-proof meters, GPS-monitoring, and a punctual and honest service.