Should you visit Pune or Mumbai?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pune or Mumbai, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Pune
Located in Maharashtra, Pune is the state's second largest city and cultural capital. Not only is it a hub for museums, temples, beaches, and scenic overlooks, but it also has a thriving nightlife and general atmosphere due to the student population.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Mumbai or Pune?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $45, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $59. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Pune and Mumbai in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Pune can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $20, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $40.
The prices for places to stay in Mumbai can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $28, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $56.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Pune cost around $16 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $6.40.
In Mumbai travelers spend around $23 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Pune $16
Mumbai $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune
For Pune, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family:
$56
-
Traditional Mangalorean or Maharashtrian cooking class in Pune:
$72
-
Market Visit and Cooking Class in Pune:
$344
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class:
$14
-
Lonely Planet Experience: Mumbai's Food Tour:
$20
-
Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai:
$20
-
Mumbai Food Tour:
$20
-
Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert:
$20
-
Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Mumbai Private Food Tour:
$24
-
Mumbai Half-Day Street Food Tour:
$25
-
Mumbai Street Food Tour:
$26
-
LIVE cooking experience from India:
$28
-
Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home:
$35
-
Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home:
$35
-
Private Authentic Thali Cooking Class in Mumbai, Santacruz:
$39
Local Transportation
To get around in Pune, the average visitor spends $12 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
To get around in Mumbai, the average visitor spends $6.97 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune
Also for Pune, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle:
$50
-
Private Pune Airport - Pune City Round-Trip Transfer:
$47
-
Private Transfer from Pune to Nashik:
$47
-
Private Transfer from Pune to Shirdi:
$44
-
Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City:
$42
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Private Transfer from Pune City to Pune (PNQ) Airport:
$42
-
One way transfer-Pune to Nashik:
$40
-
One way transfer- Pune to Shirdi:
$35
-
Guided Pune Temple Tour with Private Transfers:
$30
-
Private Transfer from Pune to your Accommodation in Mumbai:
$29
-
Affordable transfer from Pune to Mumbai Airport:
$28
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Pune Airport to Pune City:
$23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer to & fro Airports,Cruise Terminal,Hotels or any whichway, one way/time:
$46
-
Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel:
$32
-
Round Trip Mumbai Airport (BOM) Transfer to Mumbai City Center:
$47
-
Private transfer: Mumbai to Mumbai Airport (BOM):
$622
-
Private transfer: Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai:
$622
-
Private Transfer: Mumbai Airport to Hotel:
$44
-
Private Transfer: Hotel to Mumbai Airport:
$44
-
Private Transfer from Mumbai to your Accommodation in Pune:
$29
-
Private Transfer from Mumbai to Pune via Lonavala City Tour:
$65
-
Private Transfer from Mumbai to Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport:
$45
-
Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Pune by AC Cozy vehicle:
$47
-
Private Transfer from Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport to Mumbai:
$45
Is it cheaper to fly into Pune or Mumbai?
Prices for flights to both Mumbai and Pune 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.
Entertainment
In Pune, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $15 per person, per day.
In Mumbai, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $2.39 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Pune
For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1 day private tour of tajmahal from pune including air tickets, car, entrances:
$443
-
2 day trip to Agra from Pune with air tickets:
$1,037
-
2 day trip to Agra from Pune without air tickets:
$488
-
2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Pune with Commercial Return Flights:
$564
-
3-Day Tour to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur from Pune with one-way Commercial Flight:
$636
-
3-Day Tour to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur from Pune with one-way Commercial Flight:
$632
-
4-Hour Tour: Pune University Complex Cycling Private Tour:
$125
-
4-Hour Tour: Small-Group Culinary Walking Tour in Pune:
$108
-
Admission Ticket to Imagica Theme Park with Transportation:
$76
-
Adventure tours throughout Pune city !:
$204
-
Agra Taj Tour from Pune:
$292
-
Ajanta & Ellora Cave 2 day Guided Tour from Pune:
$335
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
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" Dash Of Mumbai " Sightseeing & Experiences-by Goi Licensed Guide Ragini Doshi:
$357
-
"Cultural tour through indian villages":
$98
-
12-Day Monuments and Imperial Cities in India Tour from Mumbai:
$1,775
-
13-Day Private Architectural Wonders of India Guided Tour:
$2,180
-
16 Days Private Tour of East India from Mumbai:
$3,040
-
18 Days Private Tour to Imperial Heritage of India from Mumbai:
$2,754
-
2 Days Agra Mathura Vrindavan Tour from Delhi:
$115
-
2 Days Mathura Vrindavan Tour from Delhi:
$122
-
2 Days Private Tour to Shirdi from Mumbai:
$155
-
2 day trip to Agra from Mumbai with air tickets:
$1,024
-
2 day trip to Agra from Mumbai without air tickets:
$532
-
2-Day Private Tour to Taj Mahal, Agra from Mumbai:
$410
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Pune spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Mumbai, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $3.31.
Sample the Local Flavors in Pune
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pune:
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Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour):
$25
-
Pune Pub Crawl:
$28
-
Pune Pub Crawl:
$40
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
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Bombay Party (Bar Crawl):
$24
-
South Bombay Pub Crawl:
$25
-
Pub Crawl Mumbai:
$25
-
Andheri Pub Crawl:
$39
-
Bar Crawl in Colaba with Hotel Pickup:
$45
-
Half-Day Guided Pub Crawl Tour of Kamala Mills:
$48
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Mumbai Pub Crawl: History, Iconic Bars, Cocktail Workshop, Stories and Drinks:
$71
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Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai):
$230
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pune and Mumbai, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Pune much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pune would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pune 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 Pune.
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