Destination Profile
Mumbai's sensory overload comes with the millions upon millions that call it home. It comes with the bright lights of the Bollywood studios and the ramshackle barrios of the Dharavi Slum. You'll be overwhelmed by the myriad food stalls – chai wallahs here; dal vendors there. You'll be shocked at the thrum of life in the bazaars, which spill from the narrow streets onto the seaside promenades where lovers and entertainers gather over the Indian Ocean every evening. Monuments abound too, no matter if you're searching for relics of the British Raj or ancient cave temples dedicated to Hindu deities. Cheap flights to Mumbai from New Zealand are on offer from all sorts of airlines. In total, the trip takes around 24-35 hours from Auckland, including one stopover along the way.
The 20th-century monument of the Gateway of India is now a symbol of Mumbai. Find it standing tall and proud on the side of the Arabian Sea.
Chowpatty Beach bustles from morning to night. It's also the place to go to breathe the salty airs of the Arabian Sea, away from the buzz of Mumbai's chowks.
Dharavi offers a sobering and insightful glimpse into Mumbai's sprawling slums.
No airlines fly direct between New Zealand and Mumbai.
Qatar Airways is the best airline to fly between New Zealand and Mumbai.