A Travel Price Comparison for India Goa vs. Mumbai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Goa or Mumbai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Goa 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: Goa or Mumbai?

Goa

Goa is a small but important state located on the west coast of India known as a popular beach resort and vacation area.

A large Portuguese influence can be found in Goa in the form of architecture as well as the cuisine, as it was formerly a Portuguese colony. Because of Goa's Portuguese history, there is a distribution of religion among the people, making it quite different than other states in India. About sixty-five percent of the population is Hindu, while about twenty-four percent is Catholic. Goa is one of the most peaceful states in India, with a very low crime rate. The best time to visit Goa is between November and February, as this is when the weather is most comfortable.

This is a popular tourist destination both for the Indian population as well as for tourists from around the world. The warm climate, beautiful beaches, friendly people, fun activities, and cultural diversity make it a popular destination for many types of travelers.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.


Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Goa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Goa is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $87. 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 Goa and Mumbai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Goa -
    Mumbai $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Goa $0.00
    Mumbai $68
Compare Hotels in Goa and Mumbai

Looking for a hotel in Goa 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.

Hotels in Goa


Hotels in Mumbai


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: Mumbai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Goa -
    Mumbai $7.68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai

Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • VIP Mumbai Airport Transfer: Comfort & Convenience: $22
  • Transfer to & fro Airports,Cruise Terminal,Hotels or any whichway, one way/time: $43
  • Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $55
  • Private Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $55
  • Private Transfer: Hotel to Mumbai Airport: $47
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai to Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport: $39
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Int Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Port: $47
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $64
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Airport (BOM): $64
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Cruise Port: $66
  • Private Transfer From/To Mumbai Chhatrapati International Airport: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Goa or Mumbai?

Prices for flights to both Mumbai and Goa 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Goa -
    Mumbai $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai

For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Discover Mumbai's street & beach with Vegetarian food tour: $14
  • Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
  • Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with Sunset view: $19
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
  • Authentic Street Food Tour: $21
  • Taste of Street Food Tour & Vibrant Bazzars: $21
  • Unique Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $24
  • Private Street Food Tour: $25
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $25
  • Walking Street Food Tour, Bazaar, Temples, & More: $30
  • Safe Food Tour in Mumbai for 2 hours: $30

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Goa -
    Mumbai $2.63

Tours and Activities in Mumbai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.

  • Mumbai City Tour : $100
  • Mumbai by Night Guided Tour : $50
  • Private Full-Day Mumbai Sightseeing Tour with Dharavi Slums: $53
  • "Best of Mumbai (Guided Full Day Sightseeing City Tour)": $126
  • "Highlights of Mumbai Guided Half Day Sightseeing City Tour: $73
  • "Local A True Insider’s Tour": $30
  • "Mumbai Highlights: An Immersive 6-Hour Half-Day Tour": $30
  • "Private Sightseeing Tour with Top Highlights": $30
  • "Religions of Mumbai (Guided Half Day Sightseeing City Tour): $79
  • "Speedboat Adventure: Elephanta Caves and Mumbai Highlights": $177
  • "The Ancient Kanheri Caves : Guided Tour": $27
  • 3 Hours Early Morning in South Mumbai Heritage Bicycle Tour : $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Goa -
    Mumbai $3.65

Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:

  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $38
  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
  • Mumbai Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks : $90
  • Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $130
  • Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $135
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tour at Sula Vineyards from Mumbai: $150


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Goa and Mumbai, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Goa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Goa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Goa 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 Goa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Goa Expensive? and Is Mumbai Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, Goa or Mumbai?

Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Goa. When comparing the sizes of Goa 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.