City guide

Mumbai

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)

Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)

Time zone

IST (UTC+5:30)

Currency

INR (₹)

Language

Hindi, extremely common English

Getting to your hospital

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport's distance from the relevant hospital varies significantly depending on which one, since Mumbai's major hospitals are spread across the city rather than clustered in one area. Mumbai traffic is often heavy and unpredictable, so build in extra time for any transfer regardless of distance on a map.

Weather & best time to visit

Hot and humid March to June, with a heavy monsoon June to September that can cause significant flooding and disruption in parts of the city. November to February is pleasant and the most reliable period to travel.

Hospital districts

Mumbai is India's financial capital and one of its most cosmopolitan cities, with world-class private hospitals and the broadest range of accommodation and amenities of any city on this list, at a correspondingly higher cost.

Accommodation

A very wide range of options exists at every price point, though choosing accommodation close to the specific treating hospital matters more here than in most cities, given Mumbai's traffic.

Accessible transport

Generally safe for international visitors; ride-hailing is the most practical way to get around given traffic complexity, and Mumbai's suburban train network, while extensive, is generally not recommended for patients in recovery.

Dietary support

As India's most cosmopolitan city, Mumbai offers essentially any dietary preference, vegetarian, Jain, halal, vegan, and international cuisines are all easy to find.

Recovery-friendly communication

Marathi and Hindi are widely spoken, and English is extremely common given Mumbai's cosmopolitan, international character, likely the easiest city on this list for English-only communication outside the hospital as well as inside it.

Staying connected

SIM/eSIM availability and connectivity are excellent throughout the city.

Emergency numbers

All-in-one emergency112
Ambulance102
Police100
Fire101

Mumbai hosts one of the largest concentrations of foreign consulates in India, so consular support is often available locally rather than requiring travel to Delhi.

Planning checklist

Passport, visa and medical letter
Hospital 24-hour helpline saved offline
Prescription list and medical records
Local SIM or eSIM activated on arrival
Cash plus card (INR) for the first 48 hours
Travel and medical insurance details
Companion contact info shared with hospital