Prerna & Tim

25th January 2027

Prerna's Bombay Travel Guide

As a general rule, Prerna is very happy to talk to you in more detail about any of the points below. It is her home city, after all! But here's a starting guide:

TL;DR — Make sure you have your passport, visa, personal medication (check for restrictions), dancing shoes; and most importantly, an appetite for adventure!

Getting there

Fly in to 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Mumbai (BOM)', which is the largest international airport in Bombay, located in the heart of the city. The most efficient layovers from Sydney are generally via Singapore (flying Singapore Airlines/Scoot) but Cathay Pacific and Qantas have some decent options too (via Hong Kong and Bengaluru respectively).

Foreign passport holders require a visa to enter India (an "e-Tourist" visa will work), and the website will transform you into a better, more patient person.

Tim's tip: If the visa website keeps giving an error, just try again at a different time of day, especially early morning! You might have caught the website at a busy time.

Where to stay

First, a quick Bombay geography lesson:

The wedding celebrations will be between Bandra West (purple dancing man icon) and Andheri West (red love-heart icon). The Lalwanis' residence is in Khar West, close to Bandra West (yellow home icon). The pink shaded area on the map is where a lot of the good food and drinks are. Accordingly, we suggest staying close to that area, around what Prerna considers home turf. See this Google Maps list for a few options, and there are also many listings on Airbnb in the area.

Getting around & daily essentials

Transport: Uber works quite well, for both cars and rickshaws. Be sure to link an active bank card to your Uber app beforehand, although you can also pay by cash if needed.

We highly discourage taking public transport (trains, buses, metro) by yourselves (language barrier, crowded routes, safety etc.) but Prerna is very happy to take you on a joyride (off peak hours, safely) on a local train or double decker bus — our schedules permitting.

Payments: Most shops and restaurants accept foreign cards. It's best to keep some spare cash on hand at all times as well (approx. AUD 100 i.e. INR 6700 is plenty). Local payments systems (UPI/GPay) sadly aren't available for foreigners.

Groceries/daily essentials: See Google Maps list for some recommendations

Good deeds: We encourage tipping at restaurants and for other tourism services. Cash tips, paid directly to the wait staff, go a long way in bringing joy. Indian hospitality is one of the best in the world (unbiased opinion) and if the restaurant bill does not include a 'service charge', 15–20% is ideal.

Safety: Bombay is a safe city, but it's still best to take some basic precautions and keep a close eye on your valuables while moving through the city. People might approach you seeking alms on the street, but for your safety, it's best to politely yet firmly decline, and look for other ways to make a charitable contribution. For food safety, just stick to bottled water and reputable establishments and you'll be fine.

Where to eat

In Bombay, there is no dearth of good food. There will most certainly be something for every palate at an achievable distance. It's good to keep in mind the sheer geographical dispersion of the city (given the linear form) — you ideally want a few options close to where your day takes you. With that in mind, we have created recommendations in a few of the popular areas in Bombay. See Google Maps link here for our favourite (& mostly dietary-friendly) food options.

What to wear

Our top 2 considerations (other than personal style, obviously) would be:

  • Weather: You will be in Bombay at possibly the coolest time of the year, literally. January in Bombay has average highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C, with lower than normal humidity at 65%. Cottons and linens are highly advised. Think light, loose dresses/skirts; linen pants/chinos, cotton shirts, open shoes/sandals/flip-flops etc.
  • Comfort: India is generally great for tourists, Bombay especially so. Bombay folks are also very chatty and friendly — so be prepared for conversations (about cricket?). While you're at it, and even when you're not being spoken to, expect to draw some level of attention. With that in mind, it's best to dress modestly..

What to wear to the wedding

We would love for you to prioritise your comfort, and you're welcome to wear what you would at a summer wedding in Australia. That said, if you want to get into the spirit of things (and have an opportunity to shop for local outfits), here is a Google Maps list of our favourite brands.

What to see

While every neighbourhood has something special to offer, here are the tourist highlights for your first time in the city:

When exploring Bombay, you may find it useful to hire a tour guide for the day (with a car and driver, if you like). Bombay, like most cities, is best explored with a local.

For travel ideas outside Bombay, please indulge in some research based on what you're looking for and we will be happy to talk to you about your plans! The Golden Triangle up North (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) is a classic, but India has so much more to offer and is vast beyond comprehension.

Getting into the Bombay state of mind

In preparation for your travels, here are some of Prerna's favourite Bombay-based books:

Bombay is also the home of Bollywood. Prerna is happy to provide detailed recommendations on request, but our top suggestion is Dil Chahta Hai, which is set across Bombay, Goa, and Sydney.

Tim's tip: I also love Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), a Shah Rukh Khan classic. There's a reason it's still showing at one Bombay theatre after 30 years.

Lastly, "Should I call it Mumbai or Bombay?"

While the current official name is 'Mumbai', this change came about only in November 1995 and was a politically driven one. Despite her deep dislike of the colonisers, Prerna resonates more with 'Bombay', so she continues calling it that!

We can't wait to see you in Maximum City in January!