Is Mumbai Safe for Tourists? Insights from a solo backpacker who has been, a few times!
- Jack Thompson
- 7 hours ago
- 13 min read
Is Mumbai Safe for Backpackers and Tourists, we are going to tackle this interesting topic here today.
If like me the first thing you google (I should say "ask AI" I guess now right!?) when heading to your next country is "Is Mumbai Safe?" Then you are in the right place as that is exactly the topic of this blog post. I am not AI, so unfortunately will simply be drawing from my own lived, human experience of Mumbai as a Solo backpacker (hello it is me Architect Jack 🙌), drawing on popular tourist destinations like Fort, Marina Drive, Bandra West, and Powai. I am going to be using recent information available from last year so we know what to expect in 2026 heading towards 2027 and drawing from my own experience which involved getting hit by a taxi! But I will cover that in more detail in the Fort section (spoiler, I survived ... or did I? Naaaa I did).
Here is the straight, street-smart truth: Mumbai is widely considered the safest megacity in India. While the global 2026 Numbeo Safety Index ranks Mumbai in the "Moderate" safety bracket with a score of 56.1, it is lightyears ahead of Delhi, which dragged behind with a score of 41. Although London is at 44 and Tehran 42.83! Some times these 'safety' numbers feel a bit arbitrary ... BUT ... that is why we are here to get the inside scoop.
Hot take, I actually found Delhi fine; I have done a separate blog on it which you can find here ... Is Delhi Safe? Although; when I think back I can see why Delhi is not on the same playing field as Mumbai! Everyone in Delhi seemed to have a story of some sort of scam, so make sure to check out the blog if you are thinking of going to Delhi as well as Mumbai!
If you want to know more about Mumbai as a country then make sure to check out the decoded episode where I look at Mumbai from its origins through to where the city is going to 2050, you can see some of the popular tourist sites and learn about why they are there and what is happening to the city going forward.
Right ... Is Mumbai safe for tourists, lets do this.
MUMBAI GENERAL / QUICK FIRE ROUND
Before we get into our regions there are some generals you need to know:
Smoking and Vapes bans
Do not try to vape here. While enforcement can be patchy, the sale and possession of e-cigarettes is technically banned in India. Also, public smoking near historical monuments is an instant fine.
Illegal drugs
You can get a prison sentence for possessing even a small quantity of drugs do not take the risk.
People approaching
Generally you will find (as a westerner) people approach you ask you a few questions and then attempt to sell you something or ask for money. Or they skip the questions and get straight to the money, these people are usually not threatening and a firm no (sometimes 3 or for times) will do the job!
ATM
ATMs are everywhere, but use the ones inside bank lobbies with security guards. At night, stick to well-lit main arteries.
Weather
The nature of Mumbai means extreme weather evens can occur, ensure you check the latest weather news before you travel.
Pollution
You can see the smog in the air at points, India suffers from pollution and Mumbai is no exception. Its worth checking the air quality index especially during the hot months when it can feel like you are sucking on the back end of a bus exhaust pipe!
🏛️ Very Best Pick Safe Stay Hotels for Holiday Makers
🎒 Very Best Pick Safe Stay Hostels for Backpackers
Powai (Co-working space!) - Zostel
Bandra West (Comfy) - Namastey Mumbai
Colaba (In the thick of it) - Backpacker Cowies
🛶 Excursion Best Picks for Mumbai
Book through your hotel or hostel, its the safest way.
🧳 Safety Essential for Mumbai
Insurance - I use Safety Wing as its super easy to start and stop, its INDIA ESSENTIAL not just Mumbai - You never know when food poisoning strikes!
Phone Data - Airalo Avoid roaming charges and et a sim from Airalo and load on a package so you do not have to worry about horrendous charges.
Anti-theft bags - Maxtop or a Pacsafe Crossbody Bag
Locks - TSA approved lock
Portable Charge - Ankor Charger
Phone tether - Mobile phone strap - to make it more difficult for a pickpocket.
Is Mumbai Safe For Tourist Contents
No.1 Fort Colaba & Marine Drive
The Vibe: Generally feels incredibly safe, especially around Marine Drive, the Gateway of India, and the historic Fort district.
The Architectural Reality: This area was built with wide Victorian-era avenues and open vistas. Because it’s heavily patrolled by police (especially around the Taj Mahal Palace hotel and the Gateway), it’s highly secure.
The Catch: Expect intense "unwanted advances." As a westerner, people will walk up to you, start conversations, ask where you are from, and try to sell you everything from giant balloons to sketchy tours. It's annoying, but it's rarely dangerous. Always go through your hostel or hotel to book onto an excursion do not do it via a street vendor' or even a booking shop that 'looks legit'. Shop fronts can be a false front. The truth of the matter is that in India the only real way to ensure you are booking in good confidence is to ask your hotel or hostel, even if they take a commission its better than losing your money entirely.
The 'I do not want money': This one plays on your empathy and is usually done by mothers holding a baby. They say they do not want money but can you buy their baby food ... You go into the shop, buy the food (and 30 other items they throw on top) the lady then goes back returns the items to the shop owner and they split the cash.
Funny (not so funny story) I was walking down the road in Colaba and spotted a group of ladies sat down talking together having a laugh and a joke, a few kids were running around next to them. One of the ladies clocked me walking past; grabbing one of the children, she went from smiling to looking sad and then started following me down the street prodding my arm saying her child has no food! The whole thing felt very performative. The thing about this one is it does catch a lot of people out!
The City Saviour: The Mumbai Metro is a absolute godsend. It's clean, modern, incredibly fast, and feels highly secure with structured platform management, if you need a break from the heat or a moment away from the street scene its a salvation.
The traffic: One thing, I did get hit by a taxi, it was partly my own fault but also I was being tracked again by somone else trying to sell me a picture of some sort, I turned around to ask him to please stop following me, whilst in the middle of the road a taxi came around the corner at the same time and desided to hit me rather than stopping. Slow speed and I ended up sort of sat on his bonnet! What am I getting at here ... the traffic in Mumbai is unruley, it comes at you from every-side and you are on your own when you step out into it.
I have met some of the nicest people in India until you get on the road at which point you are in the wild west!
Is Colaba safe at night?
Colaba is the absolute heart of Mumbai's tourist bubble, and it is remarkably safe at night. You will see solo travellers, expats, and locals walking the streets well past midnight. Violent crime or targeted muggings here are practically non-existent. But as always do not let your guard down or be reckless!
Quick City Safety Tip
One way to help increase your own safety and security when in a new city (you will hear this on every blog I write because I believe it so deeply) is ... Take a walking tour of the area. No matter what city I hit, once I have got to wherever I am staying, I ask the reception team about the safety of the city/ area then I book onto a walking tour, I often use Guru and they do have them in Mumbai.
The guide will happily answer questions about the safety of the area, places you should avoid as well as great places to eat or local bars to check out. I have done walking tours now in places like Mexico City, Nicaragua, Lisbon, London, Medellin, Lima. If you get a good guide you will end up with a great insight to the area in the safest possible way.
No.2 Bandra West
👮🏻♀️ Safety Overview for Bandra West
The Vibe: Trendy, hipster, full of cafes, and generally very safe; but a logistical headache for getting anywhere else in the city.
The Reality: Bandra West is a maze of older, narrower streets mixed with high-end modern developments. It’s got a great pedestrian flow, but navigating it on foot can feel like an urban obstacle course because of broken pavements and insane traffic, although thats just India! ... Its a great place to stop for perhaps the nicest hostel, just logistically to get to the metro or anywhere else in the city, its just difficult!
The Verdict: Great for safety and nightlife, but you will find yourself stuck in slow-moving auto-rickshaw traffic trying to get anywhere because you are too far from the metro!
🎒 Bandra West Safe Stays for Backpackers
Bandra (Comfy) - Namastey Mumbai
No.3 Powai: The Northern Spot
👮🏻♀️ Safety Overview for Powai
The Vibe: Modern, upscale, but geographically isolated.
Jack's Backpacking Dispatch: I holed up at the Zostel, Powai for a few weeks because they have a co-working space. I literally used it as my temporary architectural office to hammer out drawings for a client back in the UK. The beds were very comfy, and I ended up becoming good friends with the guys and gals at the local 7-Eleven where I’d grab my daily coffee.
The Spatial Trap: Powai feels safe. I regularly walked back to the hostel late at night with zero issues. However, getting to the classic tourist spots in South Mumbai (like Fort) is a massive mission. It’s a 15-minute walk to the nearest metro station, followed by a solid 40-minute train ride, the area around the metro is also SUPER busy, and can feel overwhelming if you are not used to the urban swing of a million people flocking through overpasses, busy roads and station entrances.
The Night Hack: If you don't feel like walking the dark streets back from the metro station at night, don't worry; there is always a plethora of auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) waiting at the station exits to drop you right at the Zostel gate. Zostel is becoming a well know brand across India, the only bug bare I had here (but this is not just Zostel its multiple hostels up and down India, is the lack of ventilation in rooms! In the UK you simply cannot have a bedroom without an openable window yet this seems to be common up and down India and to make matters worse you have have multiple people with you, asking for a cold really!
🎒 Powai Safe Stays for Backpackers
Powai (Co-working space!) - Zostel
No.4. Dharavi: The Slum
👮🏻♀️ Safety Overview for Dharavi
The Vibe: High-density, hyper-industrial, and ethically complex.
The Architectural Reality: Dharavi is one of the largest informal settlements in the world. Its spatial layout consists of highly packed, narrow, dark alleyways with complex self-built infrastructure.
Can you visit Dharavi alone? Do not go on your own. You will get lost, and it is intrusive to the locals. There are companies running ethical, guided walking tours. However, it’s a double-edged sword. While these tours funnel money back into the community, there is always an element of human-zoo exploitation to consider.
Note: Photography and video are strictly banned on these tours to respect local privacy. I managed to capture some authorised footage focusing purely on the infrastructure and urban development of the space for my Backpackers Blueprint Mumbai Decoded episode on YouTube, if you want to see how this incredible place functions without physically intruding, go check that out instead.
No.5. Elephanta: The History
A trip out to the Elephanta Caves is an absolute must-do, and it’s very safe, but the process is incredibly informal.
How to get there without getting scammed:
Do not buy tickets online or from random street touts.
Walk straight through the heavy police security barriers to get into the plaza of the Gateway of India.
Walk right past the Gateway monument toward the water.
Right there at the docks, you’ll see the boat operators standing around. It’s highly informal; no fancy ticket booths, just guys selling tickets directly. You’ll see the locals buying from them too. Buy your ticket right there at the boat.
The Caveats: The boats are often packed to the absolute brim. If you are claustrophobic, take a deep breath. Once you reach the island, it is a steep, grueling climb up stone steps to the archaeological site. There is zero disability access, so keep that in mind.
No.6 Is Mumbai Safe for Tourists? Conclusion
Why is Mumbai's violent crime rate low despite having over 20 million people and it comes down to the urban planning concept of "natural surveillance." The streets are narrow, densely packed, and active 24/7 that you are rarely isolated. It is incredibly difficult to commit a violent crime when there are 50 witnesses within a 10-meter radius.
You will find (as a westerner) you are jumped on by local vendors selling all kinds of thing, you will have beggers approaching you and when existing busy stations you will fell like you are in a riot! But if you stick to smart principles, keep your bag locked TSA approved locks or get a sling body bag anti theft bags. Don't walk down a dark quiet street on your own at night, dont drink the tap water. Then Mumbai is a fairly simple city.
Would I spend long there? Perhaps not ... Once you have seen Elepanta islands, checked out the Dobhi ghats, the gothic architecture the museum and the iconic art deco architecture, you have got the ticks on the list. It can all be done in a long weekend!
Would I go back? If things took me that way I would be more than happy to spend a couple of days in Mumbai, but honestly, Indias countryside is where it is at, its wildly beautiful and feels like an adventure! Check out this Chola architecture in Karnataka for example ...
Final Thoughts: I hope this helps you to get excited for your time in Mumbai, you are going to love this long slender city. Make sure to get insurance before you go, my personal recommendation is SafetyWing who do a 'Nomadic Insurance' you can simply top up month to month rather than guessing at how long you need the insurance for!
Finally Finally: If you have found this useful please let me know or if you have advice to fellow backpackers then please drop any information you would like to share in the comments 👇, please like share and join the mailing list so we can see each other on the road!
No.7 The Blueprint Travel Map for Mumbai
We are working into the Blueprint Travel Map have a look at the beta now to see places we have spoken of here today on the Map to understand the city better make sure to watch the full Mumbai City exploration on youtube, subscribe to see more places and spaces decoded. The goal is to give you a better insight to the cities we explore.
No.8 MUMBAI TRAVEL SAFETY - FAQ
1. Can solo female travelers visit Mumbai safely?
Yes, Mumbai is widely considered the safest major Indian city for women. However, solo females should still expect staring and occasional unwanted attention. Stick to the designated women's compartments on local trains, avoid traveling alone in quiet areas late at night, and use reputable ridesharing apps like Uber or Ola.
2. Is the tap water safe to drink in Mumbai?
No. Do not drink the tap water under any circumstances. Even in high-end hotels, stick to sealed bottled water or filtered water. Be mindful of ice in drinks and raw salads that may have been washed in tap water.
3. How do I avoid getting scammed by taxi drivers?
Always use ridesharing apps like Uber or Ola for longer rides, they lock in the price and track your route via GPS. If you take a local black-and-yellow taxi (kaali-peeli) or an auto-rickshaw, ensure they turn the meter on before the vehicle starts moving or agree a price BEFORE YOU GET IN.
4. What should I do if I get sick in Mumbai?
Mumbai has top-tier private hospitals (like Lilavati or Kokilaben) that offer excellent care. If you experience severe "Delhi Belly," head to a local pharmacy; they can prescribe highly effective, localised treatments over the counter. Keep your travel insurance details handy and MAKE SURE YOU HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE!
5. Are Mumbai's local trains safe to use?
Yes, but they are incredibly crowded during peak rush hours (8:00 AM–11:00 AM and 6:00 PM–9:00 PM). Avoid riding them during these times unless you want to experience "super-dense crush load." Keep your backpack on your front and watch your pockets at all times.
Final Mumbai Safety Thoughts
While Mumbai is generally healthy for travellers, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Stay updated on routine vaccines like measles, tetanus, and hepatitis.
Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves to protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses, its not as prominant anymore but do not forget you ARE on a body of water here and if you have watched the youtube video on Mumbai, you will know this area used to be a swap!
Drink bottled or purified water. A water purifier bottle like the Grayl Geopress is an excellent investment for eco-conscious travellers.
Most importantly, get travel insurance that covers medical emergencies; better safe than sorry!
For the intelligent explorer
Please always make sure to check the latest local news and government information for the country you wish to explore before travelling. The information in the guides are from personal experience. Safety can never be guaranteed, the intention is to help avoid issues when on the road.
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