Gateway of India
Gateway of India
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
The arch was designed by George Wittet in the Indo-Saracenic style; the last British troops left India through it in 1948. The plaza is busy with vendors and photographers, and the Taj Mahal Palace hotel stands opposite. Ferries to the Elephanta caves leave from the jetty behind the arch. It is free and open around the clock; early morning or after sunset is cooler and less crowded. Churchgate station is about 20 minutes on foot.
Ticket Price
Free to visit; the monument and surrounding plaza are public and accessible 24 hours. Ferries and nearby attractions charge separately.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours; the monument and waterfront promenade are public.
Transportation
Churchgate station is a 20-minute walk; CSMT is 25 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride.
Best Season
In India, the best time to visit Gateway of India is Nov-Feb; Apr-May is very hot and Jun-Sep is rainy.
Pro Tip: Go early and use the ferry terminal
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Go early and use the ferry terminal The Gateway is busiest in the evening. Visit early for photos, then take the ferry from the nearby jetty to Elephanta Island if you have time.
Member-Only Tips
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Frequently Asked Questions3 questions
It was built to commemorate the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary, designed by George Wittet in Indo-Saracenic style and completed in 1924. The last British troops left through it in 1948.
Ferries leave from the Gateway of India jetty, about a 10-minute walk from Colaba; the crossing takes 1 hour and runs roughly 9:00-14:00. Check the last return time before boarding.
Early morning gives soft light and fewer people; the facade is lit in the evening. Avoid midday heat and the weekend crowds.