Tips for Mumbai mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for Mumbai bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Mumbai . Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Mumbai . Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Mumbai highlights.

What to see during your tour in Mumbai with a rented minibus with driver

When you rent a bus for an excursion or trip in and around Mumbai we suggest including these places in your itinerary. Your bus driver will also be your guide and help show your group the best of Mumbai.

The boot at the Hanging Garden - Mumbai

The boot at the Hanging Garden - Mumbai credit: Thomas Galvez CC BY 2.0

Colonial History

In Southern Mumbai you"ll find glorious buildings dating back to the 19th and early 20th century. There are streets in the Colaba suburb that still look like they"re from a bygone era, and must see monuments like the Gateway to India. The Prince of Wales Museum, Esplanade Mansion, Rajabai Clock Tower, and Bombay University Fort Campus are all also worth visiting.

University of Mumbai

University of Mumbai credit: Marc van der Chijs CC BY-ND 2.0

Bollywood

The world"s largest film industry is based in Mumbai and you can visit the studios that produce an average of 2 films per day. At Film City in the western suburb of Goregoan you can take a guided tour of Bollywood that often includes meeting a famous actor or two. If you"re lucky then you might be asked to be an extra in a film – there are agents on the streets of Colaba suburb signing up westerners to appear in the background of movie shots.

If you don"t get to Bollywood then at least check out one of the old picture houses. Watching a film in Mumbai is a deluxe leisure experience so expect reclining seats and comfort you rarely see anywhere else in the world. Your driver can inform you of a suitable picture house to visit.

27 seater jltourandtravels

Luxury bus 27 seater from JL Tour & Travels

Religious Buildings

Mumbai is packed with the religious diversity synonymous with India. It"s an interactive experience which gives you an insight into different customs. If you ask him your driver will accompany you to the buildings of his own religion. He will usually happily answer questions about his own practices. When visiting other religions your bus driver will take a break and park nearby.

Join in the chanting at the largest Hare Krishna temple, Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari in Juhu suburb. Or do a meditating course at the Vipassana Pagoda in Gorai, North West Mumbai. It seats 8000 people and has the world"s largest stone dome built without supporting pillars.

In Worli in Southern Mumbai you can experience Islamic culture by going to Haji Ali Dargah, built 800 years ago and still a practicing mosque. There are hundreds of Hindi temples in the city, the most famous being Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir in Prabhadevi suburb, or the 200 year old Mahalakshmi Temple complex on Breach Candy Road, Southern Mumbai.

Jain Temple, Mumbai

Jain Temple, Mumbai credit: Jon Connell CC BY 2.0

Colaba Suburb

This is arguably the most prosperous district in the whole in India and is full of the people who have it and those have nots trying to get it. Leopalds bar is famous worldwide and the streets are full of opulent experiences. The best way to explore these streets is to stop at the centre of Colaba and spend an hour or two getting lost on foot. If your bus driver knows these streets ask him to accompany you. Admire the old buildings, grab an award winning curry, and get overawed by the sheer volume of knock-off merchandise around.

Colaba, Mumbai

Colaba, Mumbai credit: Martin Bishop CC BY 2.0

Slum Tours

Mumbai has a number of huge slums, some of them having an estimated population of over 1million. It"s smelly and an intense experience, but visiting how the poor live is an integral part of Mumbai. They"re located in random places across the city, often in between other rich suburbs. The most famous is Dharavi, home to over 1 million and full of cheap clothing factories. If it says Made in India on your shirt collar there is a good chance it came from here. The overcrowded slums are made from make shift shacks with no sanitation. However, you"ll find resilient people full of laughter. A local guide is essential and your bus driver, rental company, or travel agency can all help in finding one.

tempo-traveler-13-14-17-20-seater-Neetabus Shubhh Yatra 1

Minibus 13-14-17-20-seater from Neetabus Shubhh Yatra 

Read more about trips, transport, tours and bus rental in Mumbai city, or find information about sights, transport services and travel in the province of Maharashtra. You can receive competing quotes for bus hire in Mumbai directly by completing this quote request form. Getting offers for chauffeured coach or minibus hire in Mumbai has never been easier!

More about Mumbai and Maharashtra for bus tours, tourism and travels

Read more about trips, transport, tours, taxis and bus rental in Mumbai , or find information about sights, transport services and travel in the province of Maharashtra. You can receive competing quotes for bus hire in Mumbai directly by completing this quote request form. Getting offers for chauffeured coach or minibus hire in Mumbai has never been easier!

More about Mumbai

Would you like to organize a bus tour to see all these beautiful highlights? Request quotes and compare the different bus and coach hire companies:

Bus tours in Mumbai