Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Mumbai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi 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: Karachi or Mumbai?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Mumbai $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, 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 Karachi and Mumbai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Mumbai $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Mumbai $68
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Mumbai
Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Mumbai $7.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
- Mumbai Private Car: Airport to Hotel Transfer: $18
- Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport Transfers: $24
- Private Transfer to/from Mumbai Airport: $24
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Mumbai HTL-APT (BOM): $27
- Private Transfer From/To Mumbai Chhatrapati International Airport: $27
- Affordable transfer from Mumbai Airport to Pune: $28
- Mumbai Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $28
- Private Hotel Transfers to/from Mumbai Airport: $30
- One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $34
- Private Hotel Transfers to/from Airport: $36
- Private Transfer from Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport to Mumbai: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Mumbai?
Prices for flights to both Mumbai and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $11Mumbai $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class: $14
- Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
- Discover Mumbai's street & beach with food tour: $17
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $25
- Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
- Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $27
- Guided Food Tour Through the Vibrant Markets of Old Bombay: $28
- Street Food Tour: $32
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
- Mumbai Street Food Tour with Sun Set View: $38
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Mumbai $2.66
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $195
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Highlights Bus Full-Day Tour in Hindi: $5.40
- Dharavi Slum Tour with Local guide: $6.00
- Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
- Malabar District, Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $6.67
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.63
- Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.99
- Inside Dharavi: Unveiling Mumbai's Slum Culture Tour: $9.11
- Dharavi Slum Experience with Local Resident English Guide: $9.50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Mumbai $3.69
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: $39
- Mumbai Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks : $90
- 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: $152
- Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai): $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Mumbai, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Mumbai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Mumbai?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Karachi. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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.
When is the best time to visit Karachi or Mumbai?
Karachi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mumbai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Karachi or Mumbai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Mumbai. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mumbai throughout the year.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Mumbai in the summer. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Mumbai fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In the summer, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Mumbai. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mumbai receives 73 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Mumbai. Karachi usually gets less rain in July than Mumbai. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Mumbai receives 640 mm (25.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Mumbai 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Mumbai in the Autumn?
Both Mumbai and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Mumbai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Karachi is around the same temperature as Mumbai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Karachi in October average around 29°C (84°F), and Mumbai averages at about 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Mumbai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Mumbai during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Mumbai receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Mumbai. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mumbai receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Mumbai 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Mumbai in the Winter?
Both Mumbai and Karachi during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mumbai year-round.
In January, Karachi is generally cooler than Mumbai. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 19°C (66°F), and Mumbai fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
In Mumbai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the winter, Karachi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mumbai. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mumbai receives 270 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Mumbai. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mumbai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Mumbai 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Mumbai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Mumbai. Mumbai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Mumbai in the spring. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Mumbai fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mumbai this time of the year. In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mumbai during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Mumbai receives 284 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Karachi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mumbai. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Mumbai receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Mumbai 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Mumbai and Karachi
| Karachi | Mumbai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 560 mm (22 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 640 mm (25.2 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 520 mm (20.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 320 mm (12.6 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.