Visiting Mumbai from the UK
India's commercial capital and the home of Bollywood. Here is what to see, when to go, and the eVisa you need before you travel.
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Why UK travellers visit Mumbai
Mumbai is India at full throttle: the financial heart of the country, the home of Bollywood, and a city of grand colonial architecture, Art Deco seafronts and street food that rivals anywhere in Asia. For British visitors it is both a fascinating destination and a major business hub, with deep historic ties to the UK visible in landmarks like the Gateway of India and Victoria Terminus.
Which eVisa do you need for Mumbai?
For sightseeing or visiting family, UK citizens need the India Tourist eVisa. Given Mumbai's status as a business centre, many British travellers instead need the Business eVisa for meetings and work-related visits. Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) is a designated eVisa airport, and Mumbai is also a designated eVisa seaport for cruise arrivals. See all options on our visa types page.
Top things to see
- Gateway of India - the iconic waterfront arch, best at sunrise.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus - a UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic railway station.
- Marine Drive & Chowpatty Beach - the curving seafront promenade known as the Queen's Necklace.
- Elephanta Caves - ancient rock-cut temples, a short ferry from the Gateway.
- Colaba & Kala Ghoda - galleries, cafes and colonial streets.
Best time to visit
The comfortable season is November to February, when the weather is warm, dry and relatively cool. Avoid the humid build-up before the monsoon and the heavy rains from June to September, when Mumbai can flood. Our guide to the best time to visit India from the UK has the full picture.
Getting there and arriving
Direct flights from London to Mumbai take around 9 hours with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Air India, making it one of the best-connected Indian cities after Delhi. On arrival at Terminal 2, follow the e-Visa immigration counters with your printed eVisa, passport and e-Arrival Card. Check our processing time guide so your eVisa is ready in good time.