3 days in Mumbai
A realistic day-by-day plan with start times, how long to allow, and travel estimates between stops.
This 3-day plan covers Gateway of India, Victorian Mumbai Heritage Walk, Mumbai Street Food Tour, Elephanta Caves and more. It starts around 9am, keeps two main things per day with a proper lunch, and leaves the evening for food or a show. Travel times are estimates from the distance between stops.
Day 1
Gateway of India, Victorian Mumbai Heritage Walk & more
- 09:00
Gateway of India
45 min
Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds. The Taj Mahal Palace hotel is right opposite.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 10 min by metro or taxi
Victorian Mumbai Heritage Walk
2 h 30 min
Photographs inside the station are restricted, so ask your guide. Wear comfortable shoes.
- 19:00
Mumbai Street Food Tour
3 h
Tours choose stalls with high turnover, which is the best way to eat street food safely. Start hungry.
Day 2
Elephanta Caves & Dharavi Community Walk
- 09:00
Elephanta Caves
4 h
Ferries leave from the Gateway of India and take about an hour. They do not run in the monsoon season, and the caves are closed on Mondays.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 35 min by metro or taxi
Dharavi Community Walk
2 h 30 min
Choose a locally run tour that respects residents, does not allow photography of people and reinvests in the community.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 3
Bollywood Studio Tour
- 09:00
Bollywood Studio Tour
5 h
Tours depend on shooting schedules, so book ahead and confirm the itinerary.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Colaba
The Gateway of India, cafés and hotels, convenient for sightseeing.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The route on a map
Pins follow the order of the plan. Click a pin for details.
Best time to visit Mumbai
The most comfortable months with manageable crowds are Oct. These are broad seasonal patterns, not forecasts.
- JanCoolCrowds: peak
- FebMildCrowds: peak
- MarWarmCrowds: peak
- AprHotCrowds: busy
- MayHotCrowds: busy
- JunWet seasonCrowds: quiet
- JulWet seasonCrowds: quiet
- AugWet seasonCrowds: quiet
- SepWet seasonCrowds: quiet
- OctWarmCrowds: busy
- NovWarmCrowds: peak
- DecMildCrowds: peak
Best months Peak crowds and harsh weatherBars show how busy it is: taller means more visitors.
3-day Mumbai questions
Is 3 days enough for Mumbai?
Two to three days. This plan fits the main sights into 3 days at a comfortable pace, with a lunch break each day.
Can I change the order of the days?
Yes. Group days by neighbourhood if your hotel is far from a sight, and swap any day if opening hours (many museums close one day a week) or the weather requires it.
What should I book before I go?
Book Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Bollywood Studio Tour first – they use timed entry or sell out.