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 $52, while the average daily cost in Mumbai is $76. 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 $8.43
    Mumbai $6.44

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 Transfer from Pune (PNQ) Airport to Pune City: $40
  • 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:

  • Transfer to & fro Airports,Cruise Terminal,Hotels or any whichway, one way/time: $64
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai to Pune via Lonavala City Tour: $50
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai hotels to Mumbai Cruise Port: $58
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Cruise Port to Mumbai Hotels: $58
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Port: $41
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai Cruise Port: $58
  • Private Transfer from Mumbai Airport (BOM) to Mumbai: $58
  • Private Transfer from Chatrapati Shivaji (BOM) Airport to Mumbai: $42
  • Private Transfer Mumbai Airport by Innova Crysta: $24
  • Private Departure Transfer from Mumbai Hotel to Airport Including VIP Assistance: $214
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel Including VIP Assistance: $214
  • One way Private transfer from Mumbai Airport to Hotel: $37

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:

  • Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Chef Family: $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai

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

  • Mumbai Food Tour — 178 Years of Bombay on a Plate: $14
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $20
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour: Taste the City's Best Local Flavors: $25
  • Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
  • Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $29
  • Lights, Flavour, Action- A Story-Driven Food Tour: $31
  • Experience Mumbai Street Food Tour: $36
  • Mumbai Authentic Street Food Tour: $41
  • Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
  • Authentic Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai in a Local Home: $49
  • Private Authentic Bengali Cooking Class & Market Tour in Mumbai: $52

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pune $15
    Mumbai $2.33

Tours and Activities in Pune

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

  • 4-Hour Tour: Pune University Complex Cycling Private Tour: $139
  • Best of Pune Private City Tour with Lunch and Transport: $120
  • Day Trip to Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani (Guided Fullday Sightseeing Tour from Pune): $131
  • 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: $124
  • Full Day Cultural & Heritage Pune City Tour in Private Vehicle: $64
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour of Pune: $36
  • Guided Highlights of Pune Car Tour with a local (4 Hrs Sightseeing in AC Car): $76
  • Immersive culture tour of Pune by private car with guide and local lunch: $117
  • Immersive walking tour in Pune for cultural immersion with guide: $55
  • Khadakwasla Dam, Sinhagad Fort Tour by Car: $125

Tours and Activities in Mumbai

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

  • " Dash Of Mumbai " Sightseeing & Experiences-by Goi Licensed Guide Ragini Doshi: $285
  • "Mumbai - Dharavi Slum Tour": $8.59
  • "Mumbai City Sightseeing Tour": $43
  • 2-Hour Guided Tour of Dharavi: $21
  • 2025 Award Winning: Mumbai City Highlights Half Day Tour: $65
  • 3 Days Chatrapati Shambaji Nagar Tour from Mumbai in Pvt Vehicle: $290
  • 3 Hours Early Morning in South Mumbai Heritage Bicycle Tour: $43
  • 3-Day Mumbai to Nashik, Ajanta and Ellora Tour with Car and Guide: $150
  • All in one Combo of City ,Slum,Dhobighat & Dabbawala tour: $77
  • All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour: $50
  • All-Inclusive Private Full-Day Mumbai Sights & Local Experiences: $163
  • Asia Largest Dharavi Slum Guided Tour: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pune $13
    Mumbai $3.24

Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:

  • Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $34


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.