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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Mumbai or Pune?

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 Pune is $51, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $75. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pune $19
    Mumbai $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pune $38
    Mumbai $58
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.

Hotels in Pune


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: Pune Hotel Prices and Mumbai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pune $8.34
    Mumbai $6.37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pune

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

  • Mumbai-Pune Transfer: $70
  • Pune Airport Transfer in Private Vehicle: $50
  • Private Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $39
  • Pune Airport Transfer: $30
  • Affordable transfer from Pune to Mumbai Airport: $28
  • Private Transfer from Pune to your Accommodation in Mumbai: $22

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai

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

  • VIP Mumbai Airport Transfer: Comfort & Convenience: $19
  • Transfer to & fro Airports,Cruise Terminal,Hotels or any whichway, one way/time: $65
  • Transfer Mumbai Airport Hotel/Navi Mumbai: $19
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai to Pune: $27
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $57
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $57
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Airport (BOM): $40
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Port: $40
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Cruise Port: $57
  • Private Transfer from Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport to Mumbai: $41
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel Including VIP Assistance: $214
  • Private Arrival Departure Airport Transfers Mumbai: $54

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pune $21
    Mumbai $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pune

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

  • Pune:Food Walking Tour with Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Option: $19
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $29
  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $46
  • Cooking Secrets of Classes with Meal and Market Visit: $48
  • Traditional Maharashtrian Breakfast Cooking Class: $48
  • Authentic Indian Cooking Class with 3 dishes: $48
  • Traditional Maharashtrian Cooking Class & Dinner: $127

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai

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

  • Private Evening City & Street Food Tour with AC Car: $11
  • Private Bollywood Studio Tour & Indian Cooking Class: $11
  • Best Steet Food Tour & Marekt with Train Ride Tour: $14
  • Discover Mumbai's street & beach with Vegetarian food tour: $14
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour with Evening Bazaar Walk: $14
  • Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai with a Local Family: $16
  • Small Group Authentic Mumbai Virtual Cooking Class with Dessert: $20
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Indian Cooking Class & Cultural Delights: $23
  • Private Dharavi Walking Tour & Indian Cooking Class: $25
  • Safe Food Tour in Mumbai for 2 hours: $27
  • Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pune $14
    Mumbai $2.31

Tours and Activities in Pune

For Pune, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal and Agra from Pune with Both side Commercial Flights: $272
  • 4-Hour Tour: Pune University Complex Cycling Private Tour: $139
  • Best of Pune Private City Tour with Lunch and Transport: $120
  • Best of Pune Private City Tour with Transport: $90
  • Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour from Pune): $132
  • Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Tour): $145
  • Experience Spiritual Culture in Pune with a local - 2 Hours: $14
  • Food Walk Tour Pune (2 Hours Guided Food Tasting Walk): $22
  • Food walking tour in Pune to stimulate your taste buds: $50
  • From 3-Day Guided Tour of Ajanta, Ellora & Aurangabad City: $125
  • Full Day Cultural & Heritage Pune City Tour in Private Vehicle: $64
  • Full Day Pune Tour: History, Temples & Local Flavor: $111

Tours and Activities in Mumbai

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

  • "Mumbai - Dharavi Slum Tour": $8.65
  • "Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour": $43
  • 2 Days Delhi, Agra Tour from Mumbai by Flight: $299
  • 2 Days Mumbai Tour with Car and Hotel: $285
  • 2-Day Tour to Taj Mahal, Agra from Mumbai with Both side Commercial Flights: $270
  • 2-Day Tour to The Taj Mahal, Agra from Mumbai with Both Side Commercial Flights: $254
  • 2Days Mumbai Sightseeing Tours with Dharavi, Elephanta Caves: $62
  • 3 Days Chatrapati Shambaji Nagar Tour from Mumbai in Pvt Vehicle: $290
  • 3 Days Complete Mumbai Tour Inclusive of Bollywood Studio Experience: $277
  • 3 Jyotirlinga Temple Tour – From Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad: $156
  • 3-Day Mumbai to Goa Road Trip: Village Stay & Sightseeing: $499
  • 3-Day Mumbai to Nashik, Ajanta and Ellora Tour with Car and Guide: $151

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pune $13
    Mumbai $3.20

Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:

  • Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25


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.