India’s currency is the rupee (₹). Mumbai is a city of card machines and QR codes, but also of tea stalls and taxis that prefer cash. For a layover, the simplest plan is a card for bigger bills and a small amount of cash for everything else.
Cash, card or phone
- Cards work in most restaurants, cafés, museums and shops. Tell your bank you’re travelling so a foreign payment isn’t blocked.
- Cash is still the easy way to pay at tea stalls, street-food carts, small shops and many taxis.
- QR codes are everywhere: India runs on UPI, an instant phone-payment system. Visitors can use it too, with some set-up (see below).
Getting rupees at the airport
Terminal 2 has bank ATMs in the arrivals, departures and city-side areas, and the airport lists them as open 24 hours. There are also currency exchange counters in international arrivals. An ATM usually gives a fairer rate than an exchange counter; check what your own bank charges for foreign withdrawals.
Take a modest amount. For a layover, a few thousand rupees in smaller notes covers chai, snacks and a taxi, with change to spare.
UPI for visitors
UPI One World is a prepaid wallet that lets international visitors pay by scanning the same QR codes locals use. It’s issued against your passport and visa by authorised providers, including exchange counters at some international airports, Mumbai among them, and you load it with an international card.
It’s useful on a longer trip. For a few hours, a card plus a little cash is usually simpler.
What things cost
| Item | Rough cost |
|---|---|
| Cutting chai at a stall or Irani café | ₹20–₹25 |
| Vada pav from a street stall | Around ₹20 |
| A proper sit-down lunch | ₹300–₹800 |
| Taxi from the airport to South Mumbai | ₹500–₹700, plus the Sea Link toll |
| Museum entry | Varies; foreign-visitor tickets often cost more |
Prices change, so treat these as a guide. Ride-hailing apps show the fare before you book. Our airport to the city guide covers getting in and back.
Tipping
Tipping isn’t expected everywhere. In a sit-down restaurant, 5–10% is a kind gesture if no service charge is on the bill. For taxis and small stalls, rounding up is plenty. Nobody should pressure you to tip, or to shop.
What to carry
- One card, with a backup kept separately
- A few thousand rupees in smaller notes; big notes can be hard to break at stalls
- Your phone charged, for ride-hailing apps and maps
- Keep your passport and the bulk of your cash zipped away, especially in crowds
Quick answers
Do I need cash on a Mumbai layover?
A little, yes. Cards work in most restaurants and museums, but tea stalls, street food and many taxis prefer cash. A few thousand rupees in smaller notes is plenty for a few hours.
Are there ATMs at Mumbai airport?
Yes. Terminal 2 has bank ATMs in the arrivals, departures and city-side areas, open around the clock, as well as currency exchange counters in arrivals.
Can foreign visitors use UPI in India?
Yes, through UPI One World, a prepaid wallet issued against your passport and visa and loaded with an international card. For a short layover, a card and some cash is usually simpler.
Should I tip in Mumbai?
It isn’t expected everywhere. In restaurants, 5–10% is a kind gesture if there’s no service charge; for taxis and stalls, rounding up is plenty.