City in Maharashtra, India
Is Mumbai safe?
One of India's safer big cities, with busy streets at all hours.
Is Mumbai safe?
One of India's safer big cities, with busy streets at all hours. Pickpocketing, taxi scams and crowded trains are the main hassles.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-06-15.
- Homicide rate in India: 2.8 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in India: 15.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Mumbai at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Pickpocketing and phone snatching on trains and at crowded sights, overcharging by taxis, and groping in packed local trains. |
| At night | Main areas stay busy and feel safe until late. Local trains run until about 1 am; app cabs are the best choice after that. |
| Solo women | Among India's easier cities for solo women, with women-only train coaches. Still expect staring in crowds and avoid empty lanes at night. |
| Other risks | Monsoon flooding and train disruption, July–August; Crowded trains: do not hang from doors; Heat and humidity in Apr–May |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi or auto drivers refusing the meter near the airport and Gateway of India
- Touts offering 'free' guided tours that end at shops
- Slum tour operators with no community benefit
- ATM skimming and fake currency changers
Take care
- Rush-hour local trains: crush, pickpockets and groping
- Marine Drive and beaches after midnight
- Walking on flooded streets during monsoon: open manholes
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Satellite phones and satellite messengers like Garmin inReach are illegal without a licence; travelers have been arrested at airports.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram; beef is illegal in many states.
- Drones need registration and permission; photographing military sites, airports and bridges can lead to detention.
How Mumbai compares in India
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kochi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kolkata | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dharamshala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chennai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Varkala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hampi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amritsar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jaisalmer | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pushkar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palolem | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Munnar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alleppey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shimla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Delhi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Goa | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mumbai | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Jaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Agra | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Varanasi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bangalore | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Udaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Manali | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Anjuna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Mumbai safe for solo female travelers?
Among India's easier cities for solo women, with women-only train coaches. Still expect staring in crowds and avoid empty lanes at night.
Is Mumbai safe at night?
Main areas stay busy and feel safe until late. Local trains run until about 1 am; app cabs are the best choice after that.
What is the crime rate in Mumbai?
Pickpocketing and phone snatching on trains and at crowded sights, overcharging by taxis, and groping in packed local trains. Nationally, India records 2.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Mumbai?
Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
More about Mumbai
Going to Mumbai solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Mumbai Suburban Railway (Western Railway)
- Mumbai Metro One
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.