Where Mumbai works
Mumbai has no single downtown. Offices sit in a chain of districts from Nariman Point in the south to Powai and Airoli in the north-east. Pick where you work, then live close to it: a short trip matters more than a big flat.
The districts
🏢 Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC)
Mumbai's main business district. Banks, consulting firms, the stock market regulator SEBI, the National Stock Exchange and the US Consulate General are here.
American firms: Google, Amazon, Bain, BCG and McKinsey have leased offices in BKC.
Japanese presence: Sumitomo bought land in BKC for an office project.
🏢 Lower Parel and Worli
Old textile mills rebuilt as office towers and malls. Media, finance and corporate head offices; the German and French schools sit here too.
🏢 Nariman Point and Fort
The city's older business district. The Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange are in Fort; many banks, law firms and shipping companies keep offices here.
🏢 Powai (Hiranandani Business Park)
A planned township with offices, tech and pharma firms, and homes in walking distance.
Japanese presence: The Japanese School of Mumbai and the Japanese Association in Mumbai are both in Hiranandani Knowledge Park.
🏢 Andheri East and SEEPZ
Next to the airport. SEEPZ is an export zone for gems, jewellery and tech; many company offices line the Western Express Highway.
🏢 Goregaon and Malad (Mindspace)
Large office parks on the western line, home to tech and back-office centres.
🏢 Thane–Belapur Road (Airoli)
IT parks across the creek in Navi Mumbai.
Home area to office, in km
Straight-line distance from the middle of each home area. Road trips are longer, and peak hours can double the time.
| Home area | Bandra Kurla Complex | Lower Parel and Worli | Nariman Point and Fort | Powai | Andheri East and SEEPZ | Goregaon and Malad | Thane–Belapur Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandra West | 3.8 | 6.8 | 14.8 | 10.6 | 8.7 | 13.4 | 21.3 |
| Khar West | 3.5 | 8.1 | 16.1 | 9.6 | 7.5 | 12.2 | 20.3 |
| Juhu | 6.0 | 12.0 | 20.0 | 8.4 | 4.9 | 8.3 | 18.9 |
| Worli | 8.6 | 0.8 | 8.2 | 16.1 | 15.1 | 20.2 | 26.2 |
| Lower Parel | 8.1 | 0.2 | 8.1 | 15.6 | 14.9 | 20.1 | 25.6 |
| Powai | 7.1 | 15.3 | 22.6 | 0.7 | 3.4 | 9.4 | 11.4 |
| Breach Candy | 12.1 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 19.6 | 18.8 | 23.7 | 29.5 |
| Cuffe Parade | 17.2 | 9.4 | 1.4 | 24.4 | 24.2 | 29.6 | 33.4 |
| Colaba | 17.2 | 9.4 | 1.5 | 24.3 | 24.2 | 29.6 | 33.2 |
| Bandra East | 1.4 | 7.4 | 15.2 | 8.7 | 7.6 | 13.2 | 19.2 |
Getting around
The sea link and the coastal road
The Bandra–Worli Sea Link joins Bandra to Worli over the water, and the coastal road runs on from Worli towards Marine Drive. Together they make Bandra to South Mumbai far quicker than the old inland roads.
Metro and local trains
Metro lines run east–west from Ghatkopar to Versova, and north–south along the Western Express Highway, with an underground line from Colaba through BKC to the airport side. Local trains run on the Western and Central lines; they are fast but very crowded at peak hours.
Most people drive or use a driver
Many relocating professionals use a car with a driver, or app cabs. That makes distance from the office and the school the main thing to plan around.
Moving to Mumbai?
Tell us your office, school and budget. We shortlist homes and plan one visit day.