“Bas 48 hours hain Mumbai mein. Itna time enough hoga kya?”
That was the first thing I thought after booking my weekend flight to Mumbai.
I'm Riya, and this was supposed to be a quick break from my usual routine. I had never properly explored Mumbai, so when I got the chance to spend a weekend there, I didn't want to overthink it. I made a small list of places I wanted to see, a few foods I wanted to try, and decided to simply go with the flow.
Friday Evening: My Mumbai Trip Finally Begins
My flight landed on Friday evening, and the first thing I noticed was how busy everything was. Even inside the airport, there seemed to be people going somewhere.
Because I only had 48 hours, I had searched for hotels near Mumbai Airport before leaving Delhi. I eventually booked The Orion Premium Suites in Santacruz East. After the flight, I really didn't want to spend another couple of hours travelling across the city just to reach my stay. I dropped my bags, freshened up and took a little break.
But sitting inside for too long didn't feel right.
“Chalo, Mumbai aa gaye hain toh bahar toh nikalna hi padega,” I told myself.
So I went out for dinner and, naturally, my first Mumbai food had to be vada pav. It was quick, spicy and messy—but somehow exactly what I had imagined. After dinner, I took a drive around the neighbourhood. No sightseeing agenda, no checklist. Just Mumbai at night, with traffic, lights and people everywhere.
Saturday: Exploring the Mumbai I Had Imagined
Saturday was my only full day, so I woke up early.
I started with the Gateway of India. I'd seen hundreds of photographs of it, but the actual place felt much more impressive. The waterfront was already crowded, and I spent some time just walking around and taking pictures.
From there, I headed towards Colaba Causeway.
I had been warned that I would probably end up shopping there, and they were right. I wasn't looking for anything, but after browsing through the little shops and street stalls, I somehow came back with a few things. For lunch, I decided to skip the usual chain restaurants and try a local Maharashtrian meal. It was simple, filling and honestly one of the better decisions of the day.
By afternoon, I was tired but didn't want to go back yet. That's the funny thing about travelling—you can be exhausted and still feel like you're missing out if you stop.
Saturday Evening: The Mumbai Moment I Didn’t Expect
By evening, I finally made my way to Marine Drive. I had expected it to be crowded. I had expected the sea. I had even expected to take the obligatory pictures.
What I didn't expect was how peaceful it would feel once I actually sat down. The sun was setting, the road was full of moving cars and the lights of Mumbai were slowly coming on. Around me, people were chatting, laughing and taking photos. I put my phone away for a while.
I remember thinking, “Okay… ab samajh aa raha hai Mumbai ka charm.”
I stayed there longer than planned. Later, I grabbed some street food and headed back to The Orion Premium Suites. After walking around almost the entire day, all I wanted was a shower, some rest and a good night's sleep.
Sunday: Taking It Slow Before Flying Back
Sunday felt completely different. There was no pressure to see ten more attractions. I had breakfast, packed my things and went out for a relaxed morning. I found a café, ordered coffee and simply watched Mumbai go about its Sunday routine.
While planning the trip, I had also realised that choosing accommodation close to the airport can make a difference when you're travelling on a tight schedule. That's one reason hotels near Mumbai Airport appealed to me in the first place.
I had enough time for lunch before finally heading towards the airport.
Was 48 Hours Enough for Mumbai?
Honestly? No.
There was still so much I hadn't seen.
I hadn't explored every famous neighbourhood, tried every local dish or experienced Mumbai's legendary local trains. But I also realised that a short trip doesn't have to feel incomplete. My Mumbai weekend trip gave me exactly what I needed—a little change from routine, good food, long walks, sea views and a few unexpected moments. If you're planning a short Mumbai trip, I'd suggest keeping your itinerary flexible and choosing your location carefully. For travellers arriving by flight, checking hotels near Mumbai Airport can be a practical starting point, especially when every hour of a two-day trip matters.
As my flight took off, I looked out of the window and realised something funny. I had come to Mumbai worried that 48 hours wouldn't be enough. Now I was leaving and already thinking about when I could come back.
Maybe that's the real Mumbai experience—you leave with the feeling that you've only just started.
