Itinerary Summary
Arrive in Delhi for the National Museum and the National Gallery of Modern Art, take an internal flight to Mumbai for the city museum (formerly Prince of Wales) and Jehangir Art Gallery near the Gatew…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Delhi arrival and the National Museum's Harappan galleries
09:00
2h
Pre-paid taxi from IGI Airport to central Delhi
Book the fixed-fare pre-paid taxi at the counter inside arrivals and take the 40-70 minute drive to a hotel around Janpath. The Airport Express metro is quicker if you are travelling light.
📍 IGI Airport to central Delhi
13:00
2.5h
National Museum Harappan and miniature galleries
Work through the Indus Valley seals, the Mauryan and Gupta sculpture and the Mughal miniature paintings on the upper floor. The museum closes on Mondays; buy the camera permit at the counter if you want photos.
📍 National Museum, New Delhi
💡 Pro Tip: The National Museum on Janpath is closed on Mondays and charges a separate camera fee. Its Harappan and miniature-painting collections are the strongest in the country. The museum is a short walk from Rajiv Chowk metro and close to India Gate. India Standard Time is UTC+5:30; entry rules depend on your passport, so check the India visa section.
Days 2-5 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$39035%
Delhi and Mumbai hotels, 4 nights
Food & DiningUS$22020%
Irani cafes, biryani and desserts
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which museums should I not miss in Delhi and Mumbai?+
In Delhi, the National Museum covers Indian art and archaeology, and the National Gallery of Modern Art handles modern and contemporary work. Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly the Prince of Wales Museum, plus the Jehangir Art Gallery near the Gateway of India, anchor that city. Check closing days before planning.
Are Delhi and Mumbai museums open every day?+
Most are closed one weekday, often Monday, and Indian public holidays affect hours. The National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, CSMVS and Jehangir Art Gallery each publish their own schedule, so check official sites close to your dates. Allow two to three hours per major museum and book timed entry where offered.
How much should I budget for a 5-day art and museum trip?+
The Cultural band here is about $900-1,350 (roughly EUR 780-1,170) per person excluding international flights. That covers mid-range hotels, the Delhi-Mumbai internal flight and modest museum tickets. Private guided museum visits, taxis between sites and gallery-adjacent restaurants are the main variables.
What is the best time of year for museum-hopping in Delhi and Mumbai?+
October to March is comfortable in both cities, with Delhi cool and dry and Mumbai less humid. Museums are largely indoor, so this route works in hotter months too, but Mumbai's June-September monsoon brings transport disruption. Avoid peak Diwali and Christmas weeks if you want quieter galleries.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 5 days
- Budget: Cultural · approx. $900–1,350 (≈ €780–1,170), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Art & Museums
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