Best Places to Visit Near Mumbai Railway Station

Most long-distance trains into Mumbai from the north, east and south end at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), in the heart of South Mumbai. The station is a UNESCO World Heritage building in its own right, and almost everything a first-time visitor wants to see is within a short ride of it, which makes CSMT one of the easiest arrival points in the country to build a sightseeing day around.

How far the main sights actually are

Getting out of the station

A prepaid taxi booth operates just outside CSMT's main entrance on the Azad Maidan side; it's the simplest way to fix a fare before you get in a cab, though ride-hailing apps also work well here and are usually cheaper. Mumbai's local suburban trains run from CSMT itself for anyone headed further out, and the Metro and monorail cover other pockets of the city, though neither currently reaches all the South Mumbai sights above; a taxi or auto remains the easiest way to string them together in one day.

A single day from CSMT

If you only have a day between trains, this order keeps backtracking to a minimum:

• Morning: start at the station itself, a five-minute look at the heritage building and the statue outside is worth it, then walk to Crawford Market for the fruit and spice stalls.
• Late morning: Kala Ghoda for the galleries, the Prince of Wales Museum (CSMVS) and old book stalls.
• Afternoon: Gateway of India and Colaba Causeway for lunch and shopping; the Taj Mahal Palace hotel sits right beside the Gateway.
• Evening: Marine Drive for sunset, then dinner nearby before heading back to the station.

Elephanta Caves need a half day on their own, boat included, so they only fit if you have a second day or are willing to drop one of the above stops.

Best time of year

November to February is the most comfortable stretch, dry and relatively cool by Mumbai standards. March to May turns hot and humid before the sea breeze along Marine Drive becomes the main relief. The June to September monsoon floods streets on the heaviest days and can disrupt both local trains and road traffic, though it is also when the city and the Western Ghats around it turn green, if you don't mind carrying an umbrella everywhere.

Which trains bring you into CSMT

CSMT handles long-distance trains from across the country, including the Konkan line south to Goa and Kerala. Check your train's live running status before you plan a tight same-day sightseeing window, since Mumbai's approach lines can carry knock-on delay from earlier in the route. If you'd rather arrive at a station closer to the western suburbs, some of the same long-distance trains also call at Dadar or Lokmanya Tilak Terminus; check the specific train's stop list on its own page.

Where to eat near the station

The lanes around CSMT and Crawford Market are dense with old Irani cafes and Mumbai street food. A plate of pav bhaji or a Bombay sandwich from a cart near the market is a fair introduction to the city's food culture, and several century-old Irani cafes in the Fort area still serve bun maska and strong tea at low prices. For a sit-down meal before an overnight train, the Fort and Colaba areas have far more choice than the immediate station forecourt.

If you have a second day

Elephanta Caves make the best use of a spare day: the boat from Gateway of India takes about an hour each way, and the rock-cut temple caves themselves need another hour or two once you're there, so budget most of a day for the round trip. Alternatively, a second day is a good time to head into the suburbs, Bandra's sea-facing promenade and Juhu Beach are both popular, though traffic from South Mumbai can make the return trip slow in the evening.

Reading the station before you leave it

CSMT is a large terminus with platforms serving both suburban and long-distance trains, so check the departure board carefully if you're catching a local train onward rather than a taxi. Our guide to reading platform numbers and station boards is worth a skim if it's your first time at a big Indian terminus, and if your incoming train from elsewhere in the country is running late, the live running status page updates as it approaches so you're not guessing how much sightseeing time you'll actually have.

If you're just passing through

With only a few hours between connections, stick to what's walkable: Crawford Market, the CSMT building itself and Kala Ghoda cover a good slice of old Mumbai without needing a taxi at all. Our trip planner can show onward train options if your connection changes and you end up with more or less time than expected.