Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Pune?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pune or Mumbai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pune or Mumbai, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Pune or Mumbai?
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in India, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, The Best Photography Tours in India, and The Best Religious Tours in India.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPune $51Mumbai $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Pune is $51, 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 Pune and Mumbai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPune $23Mumbai $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPune $46Mumbai $68
Compare Hotels in Pune and Mumbai
Looking for a hotel in Pune 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: Pune Hotel Prices and Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pune $14Mumbai $7.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune
Also for Pune, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mumbai-Pune Transfer: $68
- Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50
- Simon Cabaret Show in Phuket including Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $49
- Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $38
- Pune Airport Transfer: $30
- Affordable transfer from Pune to Mumbai Airport: $28
- One-Way Transfer Airport to Hotel: $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $55
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Mumbai Airport: $47
- Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $65
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $65
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $65
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Airport (BOM): $65
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Downtown: $139
- Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Cruise Port: $68
- Private Dharavi Slum Tour Including Car Transfer: $91
- Private Departure Transfer from Mumbai Hotel to Airport Including VIP Assistance: $204
- Private Arrival Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel Including VIP Assistance: $204
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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayPune $18Mumbai $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune
For Pune, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Street Food Tour with Cultural Charms of Pune: $22
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $33
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $33
- Coral Island, Promthep Cape & Sunset Dinner with Power Catamaran: $53
- Organic Thai cooking class: $68
- Traditional Mangalorean or Maharashtrian cooking class in Pune: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
- Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Unique Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $24
- Mumbai Food Tour: $25
- Guided Food Tour Through the Vibrant Markets of Old Bombay: $27
- Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $29
- 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
- Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pune $17Mumbai $2.66
Tours and Activities in Pune
For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Agra Taj Tour from Pune: $220
- Airport pickup-drop, Mumbai sightseeing and outstation: $40
- Best of Pune Private City Tour with Lunch and Transport.: $100
- Best of Pune Sightseeing with Food Tasting Tour by Private Car: $88
- Cultural Walking Tour of Pune with Local Snacks: $23
- Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour from Pune): $149
- Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Tour): $146
- Day Trip to Pune Curated Private Tour Experience from Mumbai: $162
- Discovering A Half-Day Guided Tour of Best Sights: $45
- Experience Spiritual Culture in Pune with a local - 2 Hours: $17
- Food Tasting Tour in Pune: $25
- Food Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Walk): $25
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Dharavi Authentic Slum Tour: $111
- Kanheri Caves Heritage Tour: $45
- Mumbai City Tour : $100
- Private Full-Day Mumbai Sightseeing Tour with Dharavi Slums: $82
- "Best of Mumbai (Guided Full Day Sightseeing City Tour)": $130
- "Highlights of Mumbai Guided Half Day Sightseeing City Tour: $75
- "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): $82
- 2-Days Private Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Mumbai by Round Trip Flights: $230
- 3 Hours of Pottery Making Experience in a Studio in Mumbai: $70
- 5 Hours Private Tour in Mumbai City: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPune $15Mumbai $3.69
Sample the Local Flavors in Pune
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Pune:
- Pune Pub Crawl: $24
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $38
- Pub Crawl (3 Hours Guided Bar Hopping Tour): $39
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
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $40
- 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
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pune Expensive? and Is Mumbai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pune or Mumbai?
Mumbai has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pune. When comparing the sizes of Pune 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.