Visiting family in Mumbai over the Christmas break? How to fit in a few child-friendly days without wearing out the grandparents.
At a glance: Mumbai with kids from NZ
December and January are the kindest months in Mumbai. Days are warm and dry, around the high 20s to low 30s. The sweet spot for Kiwi families is the fortnight after Christmas, before Term 1 starts between 28 January and 3 February 2027. Plan one outing a day, mornings for outdoors, afternoons indoors or at home with family. Flights from Auckland to Mumbai start from NZD $920 per person (checked 7 October 2026, prices change daily). December seats sell early, so book in October.
When to go: picking the right weeks
Most Kiwi families heading to Mumbai are visiting relatives, not sightseeing. The trip is built around grandparents, cousins and a lot of food. The city days are a bonus. So the first job is picking dates that work.
Term 4 ends no later than Friday 18 December 2026. Term 1 2027 starts between 28 January and 3 February 2027, depending on the school. That is a window of roughly six weeks.
- Flying out 18 to 23 December is the busiest and most expensive stretch. Everyone wants Christmas in India.
- Flying out in the days after Christmas is often calmer and better value, and you still get New Year with family.
- Coming home mid to late January gets you back before Term 1, with a few days to reset body clocks.
Weather-wise, this is as good as Mumbai gets. Mornings are mild, afternoons warm, and the monsoon humidity is long gone. It is still hot for children used to a Christchurch summer, so plan around the heat.
A five-day Mumbai plan for families
A loose plan, not a schedule. Spread it over your two or three weeks and keep afternoons free for family.
Day | Morning | Afternoon or evening | Best for |
1 | Gateway of India, then a short harbour boat ride from the jetty | Walk Colaba’s lanes for a snack, then home to rest | All ages. Go early before the crowds. |
2 | Marine Drive walk while it is cool | Chowpatty beach at sunset for bhel puri and the lights coming on along the bay | Toddlers and grandparents. Flat and easy. |
3 | Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali: the mini train, the lake and the Kanheri Caves | Home. This one is a full morning. | School-age kids who need to run. |
4 | Nehru Science Centre or the Nehru Planetarium at Worli | A Bollywood studio tour at Film City in Goregaon, booked ahead | Rainy or very hot days. Both are indoors. |
5 | Ferry from the Gateway of India to the Elephanta Caves, about an hour each way | Juhu beach in the evening for pav bhaji, kulfi and kites | Kids aged six and up. Check the caves’ opening days first. |
Opening days, ferry timetables and tour availability change. Check locally before you set out. Expect bigger crowds between Christmas and New Year.
Getting around Mumbai with children
Mumbai distances are measured in time, not kilometres. A trip that looks short on the map can take an hour in traffic. Morning and evening peaks are the slowest. This is why one outing a day works. Leave early and finish by early afternoon.
App cabs are the easiest option with children. Do not expect child seats. Auto-rickshaws run in the suburbs and are fun for a short hop. The local train is the fastest way across the city and worth doing once with older kids, with a few rules.
- Travel outside peak hours. Mid-morning is calm. Peak hour is not for children.
- Buy tickets before you board. The first-class or ladies’ coaches have more space.
- Stand well back from the doors. Hold hands on the platform. Keep it to a few stations.
- Go with a local relative the first time. They know the platforms and exits.
8 practical tips for Kiwi families in Mumbai
1. Heat and hydration
Children overheat before they say they are thirsty. Hats, light long sleeves, sunscreen and a water bottle each, filled from sealed or filtered water. Keep the middle of the day indoors. Pack rehydration sachets from a New Zealand pharmacy.
2. Food safety for small stomachs
Home-cooked food with family is the safest and the best. Out and about, pick food cooked fresh and served hot, fruit you peel yourself, and busy stalls over quiet ones. Skip ice unless you know where it came from. Bring children’s paracetamol and usual medicines from home.
3. Prams and toddlers
Footpaths are uneven and busy. A carrier beats a pram for most of Mumbai. If you bring a pram, make it a light fold-up one that fits in a cab boot. Marine Drive and the bigger malls are the easiest pram-friendly spaces.
4. Travel at the grandparents' pace
Many of our families travel three generations together. Let the elders set the pace. Mornings out, afternoons home, a day off between big outings. The children will remember time with Nani and Nana far more than any attraction.
5. Pick the quiet weeks
The days after Christmas through to mid-January are calmest for flights and the city. Makar Sankranti in mid-January brings kites to the rooftops, which children love.
6. Book flights early
For a December departure, book in October. Summer holiday seats sell out well ahead, and the last seats are the dear ones. Flying from the South Island? Read our guide to flights Christchurch to Mumbai.
7. Students and teachers: use MannPass
Verified New Zealand students, teachers, lecturers and education staff can join MannPass for free. It takes NZD $25 off selected return flights between New Zealand and India, is valid for 30 days from verification, and can be renewed. It cannot be combined with other promotions.
8. Spread the cost
A family of five is a big fare in one go. Ask our team about flexible payment options when you book, and we will tell you what applies to your fare.
Flights from New Zealand to Mumbai over the summer holidays
Mann Travel books flights to Mumbai from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Most families connect once through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or a Gulf hub. Fares below are for Auckland departures. Other cities are quoted on request.
Route (return, per person) | From | Note |
Auckland – Mumbai | NZD $920 | The route in this guide |
Auckland – Delhi | NZD $920 | Same starting fare as Mumbai |
Auckland – Bengaluru | NZD $992 | Popular with students |
Auckland – Ahmedabad | NZD $1,020 | Gujarat connections |
Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown – Mumbai | On request | Call 09 973 1940 for a live quote |
Fares from NZD per person, checked 7 October 2026, prices change daily. Summer holiday dates are usually higher than the starting fare.
Before you go, check the latest advice for India on SafeTravel, the New Zealand Government’s travel advisory site, and make sure every passport has at least six months left.
Why book with Mann Travel?
Mann Travel is based at 153 Eric Baker Place, Papatoetoe, Auckland. Our team speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English and is on call 24/7, so if a flight changes at 2am in Singapore, someone picks up. We are group and family specialists. Three generations on one booking is the kind of trip we do every week. Get in touch and tell us your dates.
Let’s take you home this summer.
Search live fares at manntravel.co.nz/flights or call our team on 09 973 1940. Ask our team about flexible payment options for family bookings.
frequently asked questions
Is Mumbai a good place to take children in December and January?
Yes. It is the most comfortable time of year, warm and dry with days in the high 20s to low 30s. Plan outdoor time for the mornings and keep the middle of the day indoors.
What are the best things to do in Mumbai with kids?
The Gateway of India and a harbour boat ride, Marine Drive and Chowpatty, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Nehru Science Centre, the Elephanta Caves ferry and an evening at Juhu beach. One outing a day is plenty.
When should Kiwi families fly to Mumbai for the summer holidays?
Term 4 ends no later than 18 December 2026 and Term 1 starts between 28 January and 3 February 2027. The days after Christmas through to mid-January are the calmest.
Is street food safe for children in Mumbai?
Choose food cooked fresh and served hot from busy stalls, peel fruit yourself and avoid ice of unknown origin. Home-cooked meals with family are the safest option.
How much are flights from New Zealand to Mumbai?
Auckland to Mumbai return starts from NZD $920 per person, checked 7 October 2026. Prices change daily and summer dates are usually higher. Other NZ cities are quoted on request.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Attraction opening days and health advice change. This guide is general information, not medical or travel advice. Always check live prices and current entry rules before booking.
