Arriving
Compare Cities, Settling In, Domestic & International Flights. 5 min read.
01Compare Cities
How Mumbai compares with other cities
Everyone thinking about Mumbai asks the same question: is it worth the extra cost? Here is a fair comparison on the things that matter for a move within India in 2026.
| Category | Mumbai | Bangalore | Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index (indicative) | Very High (100) | High (72) | Moderate (56) |
| 3BHK Rent (Gated, Premium) | ₹1.5L to 3.5L/month | ₹80k to 1.8L/month | ₹65k to 1.5L/month |
| Finance & Banking Jobs | , India's biggest | , Growing | , Moderate |
| Tech Sector Depth | , Strong | , Dominant | , HITEC City |
| Media / Creative / Bollywood | , Only here | , Limited | , Limited |
| International School Options | 8+ flagship IB schools | 6+ IB schools | 4+ IB schools |
| Traffic Severity | Severe (rail saves you) | Severe (no real rail) | Moderate (MMTS improving) |
| Climate Comfort | Humid; monsoon intense | Best in India (mild) | Hot summers; dry otherwise |
| Cultural Life & Heritage | , Deepest | , Growing | , Strong Nizami |
| Weekend Escapes | Goa 1hr flight (8hr drive), Lonavala 2hr | Coorg 5hr, Goa 10hr | Hyderabad lakes, Warangal |
| Salary Premium (Finance) | ₹95k avg, highest | ₹80k avg | ₹75k avg |
| Professional Network Density | , India's densest | , Strong | , Strong |
Choose Mumbai if...
Mumbai Wins
- Your career is in finance, banking, private equity, or capital markets
- You work in media, advertising, Bollywood, or the creative industries
- You value professional network density above all else
- You have been posted by your employer and the package reflects the Mumbai premium
- You want the most cosmopolitan city life available in India
Consider Bangalore if...
Bangalore Wins
- Your role is in deep tech, SaaS, or product engineering
- You prioritise climate above everything else
- You want more space for the same budget
- Your company's India HQ is in the Electronic City or Whitefield corridor
- A quieter, more garden-city pace of life appeals to you
Consider Hyderabad if...
Hyderabad Wins
- You are in pharma, life sciences, or HITEC City tech
- You want the best value-for-money premium living in India
- You value culinary heritage and love Hyderabadi culture
- You want more apartment space for the same budget
- You are building a longer-term India base and want lower overall costs
02Settling In
Your first 30 days
A move to Mumbai from another Indian city has less paperwork than an international move, but more to organise than a move to most other Indian cities. IKAN manages the order of the steps, so nothing is missed.
1
byDay 30
Address Update · Aadhaar
YouUpdate your Aadhaar address to your new Mumbai address within 30 days of arrival. This unlocks bank account transfers, school admissions, and most government services. Aadhaar update: myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in or nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
2
Bank Account Transfer or New Account
If your existing bank has Mumbai branches (HDFC, Axis Bank, HSBC all do), transfer your account to a branch near your new address. Alternatively, open a new account at HDFC, HSBC, or Axis Bank with your updated Aadhaar, PAN, and rental agreement. New accounts typically open within 3-5 working days.
3
Register with Mumbai Police
YouWhile intra-India moves do not require FRRO registration, you should inform the local police station (thana) of your new address, particularly relevant if you have recently arrived from another state. Your Society Secretary can guide you on whether this is required for your specific building or housing society.
4
Utilities & Building Setup
YouRegister with Adani Electricity (most areas) or BEST (South Mumbai) in your name. Register on your building's WhatsApp group immediately, this is where maintenance, society meetings, and building announcements are shared. Set up auto-pay for electricity, broadband (ACT/Jio Fiber), and piped gas if applicable.
5
School Admission Process
CBSE-to-CBSE transfers require the Transfer Certificate (TC) from your previous school, mark sheets, and Aadhaar. Apply to your target school as soon as you have a confirmed Mumbai address. Premium ICSE schools may require additional entrance assessments. IKAN's education team can connect you with current admissions contacts.
6
inWeek 1
Transport Setup · First Week
YouDownload Ola, Uber, Mumbai Metro, and M-Indicator apps immediately. Purchase a monthly suburban rail pass at your nearest railway station (bring Aadhaar and a photo). Set up Ola Corporate account via your employer's travel desk. Subscribe to BMC's flood alert WhatsApp number if arriving before monsoon season.
Address Updates
Document Transfers
Aadhaar address update: myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in · Vehicle RC transfer: Maharashtra RTO · Driving licence address: Parivahan portal. Do these in the first 30 days, they unlock everything else downstream.
Transport
Commute Strategy
Test your commute in all three conditions, off-peak, peak, and monsoon, before settling on a permanent neighbourhood. Mumbai's transport experience varies enormously across these three scenarios. IKAN's team can map your office location against realistic commute options.
Community
Get Connected Fast
Join your building WhatsApp group Day 1 · Introduce yourself to the Society Secretary with a small gift · Connect with alumni from your hometown in Mumbai (every metro has a strong association here) · LinkedIn Mumbai Filter, your industry network in Mumbai is likely closer than you think
Key Portals
Essential Links
Aadhaar update: myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in · PAN: onlineservices.proteantech.in · Maharashtra RTO: mahatranscom.in · BMC: portal.mcgm.gov.in · Mumbai Metro: ridemetro.in · IRCTC: irctc.co.in · Maharashtra eGov: aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
03Domestic & International Flights
The airport and flights
Terminal 2 of CSMIA (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) is India's second-busiest airport (after Delhi). No Indian city has better domestic flights. Every major metro is within about 3 hours, and there are direct flights to almost every Tier 2 city in India.
Domestic
Mumbai → Delhi
2h 10m
Air India, IndiGo, 30+ daily flights
Domestic
Mumbai → Bangalore
1h 45m
IndiGo, Air India, 20+ daily
Domestic
Mumbai → Hyderabad
1h 30m
IndiGo, Air India, 15+ daily
Domestic
Mumbai → Goa
1h 00m
IndiGo, SpiceJet, multiple daily
Domestic
Mumbai → Chennai
1h 55m
IndiGo, Air India, 12+ daily
Domestic
Mumbai → Pune
45m
IndiGo, multiple daily (also 3hr express train)
Domestic
Mumbai → Ahmedabad
1h 05m
IndiGo, Air India, 10+ daily
Domestic
Mumbai → Kolkata
2h 30m
IndiGo, Air India, 8+ daily
CSMIA T2, Your Airport
Mumbai Airport Essentials
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), T2 handles all international and most domestic operations. Travel time from BKC: 20 to 45 min. From Bandra: 30 to 60 min. Domestic check-in: arrive 90 minutes early. The Western Express Highway congestion between Bandra and the airport can add 30 to 60 minutes during peak hours. Metro Line 1 from Andheri station provides a congestion-free option for travellers with lighter baggage.
Already moving with IKAN?
Your homes, dates and papers are in i-Navigate, IKAN's app for families. It opens with the email address your IKAN consultant has for you, then sends you a six digit code.
Open your move Not moving with IKAN yet? Write to relo@ikan.com and a consultant will reply.