Mumbai guide

For families moving to India from abroad2026 edition

MumbaiFinancial Capital of India

Mumbai for a family moving from abroad: Bandra and the western suburbs, the international schools, rents from ₹2L a month, and the commute to BKC.

Moving from another Indian city? Read the guide for moves within India

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, MumbaiPhoto: Uhooep, CC BY-SA 4.0

What families ask first

Rent a month ₹2L to 5L Furnished 3BHK in a gated society, Bandra Housing School fees a year ₹12L to 20L Dhirubhai Ambani International School Schools A typical commute 15 to 20 min Bandra West → BKC, Via Sea Link or land route Neighbourhoods Security deposit 2 to 3 months Two to three months' rent as standard Housing

Indicative figures from this guide. 1 lakh (L) is ₹100,000. Your IKAN consultant confirms the exact numbers before you act on them.

In this guide

7 short chapters

Read them in order, or go straight to the one you need.

  1. 01The cityCity Overview, Culture & Heritage, Climate5 min read
  2. 02ArrivingVisas & Arrival, Settling In, Flights & Connections7 min read
  3. 03Where to liveNeighbourhoods, Housing Market, The IKAN Method9 min read
  4. 04Schools and healthInternational Schools, Healthcare4 min read
  5. 05Getting aroundTransport & Metro, Apps & Digital Life4 min read
  6. 06Everyday lifeDining, Nightlife & Weekends, Local Language Guide, Weekend Escapes6 min read
  7. 07Before you goAt a glance, Watch Out, Common Questions, Expat Essentials, IKAN India Essentials9 min read

Where families live

6 neighbourhoods, on one map

The number on each pin is the number in the list. Rents and commutes are this guide's own figures.

The map of Mumbai loads here.

  1. Bandra WestQueen of Mumbai's Suburbs ₹2L to 5L a month15 to 20 min to BKC
  2. PowaiLakeside Family Haven ₹1.5L to 4.5L a month30 to 50 min to BKC
  3. JuhuBeachfront Celebrity ₹1.5L to 4.5L a month20 to 35 min to BKC
  4. WorliCorporate Luxury ₹3L to 5.5L a month20 to 30 min to BKC
  5. Malabar HillPrestige & Tranquility ₹2.5L to 4L a month
  6. BKCZero-Commute Finance ₹1.5L to 4L a month15 to 20 min from Bandra West

Open Where to live

Mumbai in pictures

The city in twelve frames

Navi Mumbai
Navi MumbaiPhoto: Anurupa Chowdhury, CC BY 3.0
Ganesh Chaturthi festival, Mumbai
Ganesh Chaturthi festival, MumbaiPhoto: AmanAgrahari01, CC BY-SA 4.0
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Wankhede Stadium, MumbaiPhoto: DesiBoy101, CC BY 4.0
Elephanta Caves
Elephanta CavesPhoto: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0Everyday life
Lonavala hills Western Ghats Maharashtra
Lonavala hills Western Ghats MaharashtraPhoto: Shishirdasika, CC BY-SA 4.0Everyday life
Cutting chai in a small glass, Mumbai
Cutting chai in a small glass, MumbaiPhoto: Jinymystery, CC BY-SA 4.0
Kerala backwaters
Kerala backwatersPhoto: RndmCrs, CC0Everyday life
Alibaug beach Konkan coast Maharashtra
Alibaug beach Konkan coast MaharashtraPhoto: Vishaltomar ifm, CC BY-SA 3.0Everyday life
Matheran hill station Western Ghats
Matheran hill station Western GhatsPhoto: Le Priyavrat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Vada Pav Mumbai street food
Vada Pav Mumbai street foodPhoto: Rutvi Mistry, CC BY-SA 4.0Everyday life
Versova beach, Andheri West, Mumbai
Versova beach, Andheri West, MumbaiPhoto: Shishirdasika, CC BY-SA 4.0
A tree lined road through Aarey Colony, Goregaon East, Mumbai
A tree lined road through Aarey Colony, Goregaon East, MumbaiPhoto: Shishirdasika, CC BY-SA 4.0

The weather, drawn

A year in Mumbai

Each month as this guide describes it. Read the seasons in full

  1. 17 to 31°JanIdeal
  2. 18 to 32°FebIdeal
  3. 21 to 33°MarWarm
  4. 24 to 33°AprHot
  5. 27 to 34°MayHumid
  6. 27 to 33°JunMonsoon
  7. 26 to 30°JulHeavy Rain
  8. 25 to 30°AugHeavy Rain
  9. 25 to 31°SepClearing
  10. 24 to 34°OctWarm
  11. 21 to 34°NovIdeal
  12. 18 to 33°DecIdeal
Best monthsWarmHotMonsoonBest months in Mumbai: Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec

What a month costs

Add up a month

A Furnished 3BHK Gated, plus monthly groceries (family) and local transport, from this guide's own figures.

₹2.2L to 5.3L a month

Pick your own home and school

IKAN in Mumbai

We handle the visa paperwork and the school admissions in Mumbai.
We also deal with your society and the move itself.

Mumbai is good to people who learn its pace, from your first cutting chai at a Bandra stall to the keys of a sea-facing flat. IKAN's Mumbai team handles the visa paperwork, your housing society's secretary, the school admissions and the move itself. You arrive ready to live here.

Already moving with IKAN?

Your homes, dates and papers are in i-Navigate, IKAN's app for families. It opens with the email address your IKAN consultant has for you, then sends you a six digit code.

Open your move Not moving with IKAN yet? Write to relo@ikan.com and a consultant will reply.

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