Visitor Information in Mumbai (Bombay) and Maharashtra

Don't count on hotels to stock general tourist information. The Government of India Tourist Office, near the Churchgate train station, has useful material; it's open weekdays 8:30-6, Saturday and holidays 8:30-2. There's information on trains and the office oversees knowledgeable, multilingual tour guides, available directly from the office or through the MTDC, or just about any travel agency. Rates are approximately Rs. 450 per half-day for groups of one to four, Rs. 600 for a full eight-hour day with no lunch break (he will have lunch when you do). Additional fees of Rs. 265 apply for trips beyond 100 km (62 mi) and for those involving overnight stays the rates could be still higher. Multilingual guides charge Rs. 300 extra, in addition to the regular fee.

The Maharastra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is open daily 9-6. Both MDTC and the Government of India Tourist Office have 24-hour counters at the airports. The MTDC also has counters at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) and the Gateway of India (it's a booth right where the boats to Elephanta Island dock). MTDC phone numbers are not that useful as they are always busy—visit in person or check out their Web site.

Tourist Offices

Government of India Tourist Office (123 Maharishi Karve Rd., Churchgate. 22/2207-4333; 22/2207-4334; 22/2203-3144; 22/2203-3145 recorded tourist background on Pune, Goa, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Aurangabad. indiatourism@vsnl.com). Maharastra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC, Madame Cama Rd. opposite L.I.C. Bldg., Nariman Point. 22/2202-6713, 22/2202-7762, or 22/2202-7762. www.mtdcindia.com).