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.

Taxis and Cabs in Mumbai City: price comparison and fares in Mumbai

Mumbai"s roads are manic and overcrowded and almost every taxi bears the scars from a few bumps and minor crashes. It"s especially bad during monsoon when torrential rain devours the streets and most drivers continue to drive like they"re Michael Schumacher. However, they are an essential part of getting around and in Mumbai there are 3 main types of taxi, each offering different levels of comfort and price.

Mumbai CST (VT Station)

Mumbai CST (VT Station) credit: GPS CC BY-SA 2.0

Private taxis / minicabs

Private taxis are air-conditioned and come with GPS and experienced drivers. Private taxi companies like ZipMyTravel (Shakti Khand 4 Indrapuram Ghaziabad.), Tab Cab (Mith Chowky, New Link Road), and Olacabs (Central Road, MIDC,
Andheri), run modern fleets of vehicles which must be pre booked. Fares are controlled by the government and are extremely cheap by European standards. Expect to pay around €1 for every 4-5 kilometres, with increased prices at night.

Viira Cabs womens taxi services

Womens taxi services from Viira Cabs in Mumbai

Black & Yellow Taxi

These distinctive cars are a quintessential Mumbai image. They"re black with a bright yellow roof, although the brand of vehicle varies. Easily the most stylist is the old Ambassador or Padmini taxis, which don"t go very fast but are a delightful memory of the past you should try once while you"re in Mumbai. They"ve been slowly replaced by cheap new vehicles like Maruti Altos and Tata Indicas. These taxis are flagged down and by law should use a metre. However, many drivers will try and ask for a fixed price and you will have to negotiate. Officially you should pay around €1 for every 5-6 kilometres although how close you get to this depends on your luck and bargaining.

Taxi in Mumbai

Taxi in Mumbai credit: Mahatma4711 CC BY 2.0
Tardeo, Bombay, Maharashtra

Tuctucs / Auto Rickshaws

Tuctucs or auto rickshaws have been partially banned in Mumbai. These 3 wheeled scooters with passenger cabs are an iconic part of India but can not enter downtown Southern Mumbai due to their pollution. Still, there are around 250,000 of them in Mumbai and are best used in heavy traffic as the drivers specialise in skipping queues and swerving down short cuts. By law they must use a metre but like black and yellow taxis expect to have to negotiate a price. On the metre you should be able to travel around 7-8 kilometres for €1.

Top tips for getting a taxi in Mumbai

Bargaining:

If you stop a taxi on the street expect to negotiate for the taxi fare. Before you start bargaining it"s good to know how long you"re journey should be. Taxi drivers will charge most when they"re in peak demand, so expect to pay a lot during monsoon rains and nighttimes.

Crawford Market

Crawford Market credit: David Brossard CC BY-SA 2.0

Explaining your destination:

If the driver doesn"t speak good English he may misunderstand your destination. Carry a map with you and locate a major landmark near your destination. It"s much easier to be able to point or tell the driver that it"s near Mumbai Central Station or Chowpatty Beach.

Night Time:

Mumbai is a huge city and can be very disorientating at night.  If you"re alone and travelling at night always pre book your taxi. It doesn"t cost any extra and is much safer.

Four Seasons, Mumbai - Bar - AER

Four Seasons, Mumbai - Bar - AER credit: Josh Friedman CC BY-ND 2.0

Where to find taxis and cabs in Mumbai

You will find taxis nearly everywhere in Mumbai. There are taxi stands in nearly all suburbs and you should not have a problem getting one, apart from during monsoon thunderstorms. Some of the most useful are: Shahid Bhagat Singh Road in Colaba, Chhatrapati Shivaj Terminus Railway Station, Mumbai Central Railway Station, Mumbai Airport, and Marine Drive.

Cab services are one way to get around Mumbai. If you are looking for other ways to travel around Mumbai, take a look at car rentals with driver in Mumbai or mini bus hire in Mumbai options. For more information and tips about India visit the travel services page. Get ideas for trips in and around Mumbai on the transport in Maharashtra page. Requesting quotes is free! Start comparing cab services in Mumbai today by using our form.

MSH Travels bus hire  mumbai

Inside tourist bus from MSH Travels in Mumbai

Enjoy taxi tours and other private chauffeured rides in Mumbai

Cab services are one way to get around Mumbai . If you are looking for other ways to travel around Mumbai , take a look at car rentals with driver in Mumbai or mini bus hire in Mumbai options. For more information and tips about India, visit the travel services page. Get ideas for trips in and around Mumbai on the transport in Maharashtra page.

Requesting quotes is free! Start comparing cab services in Mumbai today by using our form.

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