Plan your trip · Mumbai
Best time to visit Mumbai
Mumbai never gets cold, so the choice is between warm and dry, hot and sticky, or very wet. November to February is the most comfortable time, and the monsoon is worth seeing only if your plans can bend.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Feb
Humid in October, then warm, dry and pleasant from November to February — the peak season on the coast, with the calmest sea.
Pack: light, breathable clothes with a thin layer for the odd cool evening.
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
Mar – May
Hot and humid by the sea — bearable early and late, sticky in between.
Pack: light cottons, a hat, sunscreen and swimwear.
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
Jun – Sep
Very heavy rain from early June to September, with rough seas. Swimming is unsafe, water sports stop and boats to the sea forts are suspended from late May.
Pack: a good rain shell or umbrella, quick-dry clothes and sandals that cope with flooded streets.
Plan a monsoon day →November to February: the easy months
The rain has gone, the humidity drops and the sky is often clear. Days are warm, and evenings in December and January are pleasant enough for a long walk on Marine Drive. This is when the Elephanta ferries run fully and the sea front is at its best. It is also the busiest time, with higher hotel rates and a full calendar, including the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival around late January or early February.
March to May: hot and sticky
Temperatures climb and the humidity stays high, so midday outdoors is tiring. Plan sightseeing for early morning and after 4 pm, and spend the middle of the day in a museum, a café or a gallery. Hotels are cheaper, and the long evenings by the sea are still pleasant.
June to September: the monsoon
The rains usually reach Mumbai around the second week of June, not in July. July and August are the wettest months. On days of very heavy rain, low roads and subways flood, suburban trains slow down or stop, and the city may issue a red alert. The sea is rough and unsafe for swimming, and ferries, including those to Elephanta, are often cut back or halted. Waves crashing over the Marine Drive sea wall draw crowds on high tides, but keep well back. Ganesh Chaturthi usually falls in late August or September.
October: the damp heat
The rain tails off in late September or early October, and the heat returns before the humidity goes. Locals call it October heat. Diwali often falls late in the month or in November, and the city is lit up.
Which month to choose
For weather alone, pick December or January. For festivals, time a trip for Ganesh Chaturthi and accept the crowds and road closures. On a budget, late February and early March are a good trade between price and comfort.
Questions
Mumbai — FAQ
When does the monsoon reach Mumbai?
Usually around the second week of June, and it stays until late September or early October. The exact date changes each year, so watch the forecast if you are travelling in June.
Is October a good time to visit Mumbai?
It is fine but not ideal. The rain has mostly stopped, but it is hot and humid. Late October and November are more comfortable than the first half of October.
Does Mumbai get cold in winter?
No. December and January mornings and evenings are mild, and afternoons stay warm. A thin long-sleeved layer is enough, even at night.
Is Ganesh Chaturthi a good time to visit?
Yes, if you want the festival. The pandals and immersions are unforgettable, but hotels fill, famous pandals have long queues and the roads to the sea close on immersion days.