Navigating the airport, outfit planning, how to get around on public transportation, and which cuisines to try!
Gateway of India, Britannica
Traveling anywhere for the first time can seem like a daunting task. The idea of going to a new destination and leaving behind the comfort of one’s home can bring up anxiety in addition to excitement. The following tips go beyond the general reminders about getting a visa and credit card, and are for anyone who is traveling internationally to India, from an experienced insider. Being born in Mumbai and now living in the States, these are certain rituals I follow every time I visit home.
- Touchdown
Before you leave America, work out a phone plan with your provider, activate your credit card for international use, and download Ola Cab on your phone for easy transportation. After your touchdown at Mumbai International Airport, you might immediately feel a sort of frenzy in the air. It is important to stay calm, go at your own pace, and follow the instructions of the airport, as many people usually rush ahead without thinking. Do not be afraid to ask for help as all staff speak English. After security and baggage claim, there is a waiting area for arrivals that is stocked with ATM’s. Most transactions tourists do in Mumbai are cash, a withdrawal of ten thousand rupees (120 dollars) is a safe bet. Hailing a cab at the airport can get complicated, but it is easiest to go to the nearest kiosk and look through your travel options. An Ola is an air-conditioned cab service that most locals and tourists book to get out of the airport.
- What should I wear?
Apart from northern India and the Himalayan regions, India has a hot and humid tropical climate year round. Mumbai is no exception, most days can get to 90 degrees with humidity. The heat can make it hard to enjoy going out and sightseeing, so it is essential to pack lightweight, breathable clothes. You will see most people in traditional clothing, a salwar kameez, senior women may wear saris, and younger folk usually wear shirts and jeans. When packing, cotton tops and bottoms are the way to go. Many people, including tourists, do not wear shorts and tank tops out of modesty and respect, so I usually pack a few t-shirts, and flowy, loose pants and skirts. Cotton clothing is also essential during the rainy season as it combats excess humidity through sporadic rain showers and storms.
- Rickshaw!
Mumbai’s traffic and street life make it one of the most lively and hectic cities in the world. There are many modes of transportation, including cars, buses, metros, trains, bikes, rickshaws, and boats. The adventurous tourists may want to try hailing a rickshaw, the cheapest method of transport for short distances. Mumbai is an island and its main city is at the southern tip. Mumbai’s northern suburbs are referred to by their train stop and are broken up by east and west. It is more agreeable for a rickshaw driver to travel up and down the east or west side of each suburb than to cross them. To hail a rickshaw, you want to walk a short distance to the nearest hub, whether that is a mall, train or metro station, or strip of stores, as that is where most rickshaws gather. The rickshaws operate on a fare system and drivers are generally tipped by rounding up. As I mentioned earlier, it is easiest for tourists to download an app called Ola, which is basically the Indian Uber. This is an essential step because Rickshaws are banned past Bandra, and only cars can enter Mumbai city. The metro is the best way to travel into the city from the suburbs. I recommend getting the Smart Pass for 50 rupees, for unlimited trips for 30 days.
- Street Foods and Street Smarts
It is not advisable to drink the tap water in Mumbai, as city water is more polluted than village water. Most grocery stores sell cheap cases of bottled water or even better, a small net filter that many residents tie over their tap. All street food should be 200 rupees or less, any vendor charging higher is a scam. The most popular street foods in Mumbai are coconut water and vada pav. Make sure to hand your coconut back to the vendor after you drink your water so he can scoop out the malai cream for you to eat! Vada pav, a Mumbai staple, is a fried potato sandwich served with mint chutney and dry pepper chutney. You must complement it with a 7up Indian soda. Any chai, juice, and coconut stands are usually safe to eat, the street vada pav can be a gamble but you can find countless restaurants that serve just as good vada pav too. Indo-Chinese and sizzlers (kebabs) are delicacies of Mumbai, and I indulge every time I visit.