Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Darjiling or Mumbai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Darjiling or Mumbai? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Darjiling or Mumbai?
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Religious Tours in India, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best Luxury Tours to India, and The Best Budget Tours to India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarjiling $35Mumbai $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $69. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Darjiling and Mumbai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarjiling $13Mumbai $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarjiling $26Mumbai $68
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Mumbai
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling or Mumbai? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Darjiling Hotel Prices and Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darjiling $7.45Mumbai $7.73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $182
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $73
- Private Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Premium Mumbai guided tour with transfer: $476
- Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
- Private Departure Transfer from Mumbai Hotel to Airport Including VIP Assistance: $204
- Mumbai Airport(BOM)to Mumbai Downtown-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
- Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
- Create Your Own: Custom Private Tour of Mumbai with transfers: $97
- Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Luxury Van: $96
- Private Dharavi Slum Tour Including Car Transfer: $90
- Local Street Food Private Walking Tour with Transfer: $90
- Global Vipassana Pagoda : Half Day Tour with Transfer: $83
- Mumbai Downtown to Mumbai Airport(BOM) Departure Private Transfer: $79
- Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Mumbai?
Prices for flights to both Mumbai and Darjiling change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayDarjiling $14Mumbai $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mumbai Sunset Street Food Tour: $14
- Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Authentic Street Food Tour: $21
- Mumbai Walking Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $21
- Unique Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $24
- Mumbai Food Tour: $25
- Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
- Street Food Tour: $29
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darjiling $12Mumbai $2.65
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- A Full Day Tour Of Darjeeling: $232
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Cultural & Nature Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $40
- Darjeeling Exquisite Estate Tour: $156
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $55
- Day Trip to Darjeeling (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Gangtok): $146
- Day Trip to Gangtok (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $146
- Day Trip to Kalimpong (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $146
- Day Trip to Singalila (Guided Private Sightseeing Experience from Darjeeling): $256
- Day_Trippers (Darjeeling Full Day Tour).: $122
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Gangtok (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Dharavi Authentic Slum Tour: $113
- Dharavi Slum, Dhobi Ghat & Dabbawala Experience: $21
- Kanheri Caves Heritage Tour: $45
- Private Full-Day Mumbai Sightseeing Tour with Dharavi Slums: $42
- "Best of Mumbai (Guided Full Day Sightseeing City Tour)": $132
- "Highlights of Mumbai Guided Half Day Sightseeing City Tour: $76
- "Local A True Insider’s Tour": $36
- "Mumbai Highlights: An Immersive 6-Hour Half-Day Tour": $36
- "Religions of Mumbai (Guided Half Day Sightseeing City Tour): $83
- 2-Days Private Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Mumbai by Round Trip Flights: $229
- 2-Hour Guided Tour of Dharavi: $24
- 3-Hour Private Guided Tour in Bollywood from Mumbai: $204
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarjiling $8.73Mumbai $3.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $40
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $40
- Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $124
- Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $128
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour at Sula Vineyards from Mumbai: $157
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Mumbai, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai than you might in Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Mumbai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Darjiling or Mumbai?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling and Mumbai, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.