6 Best places for budget shopping in Mumbai for cheap rate seekers!

When we think of shopping, these best places for budget shopping in Mumbai offers you just as your pockets please, with just a little effort of research, bargain and little travelling maybe.

Here is a list of six such budget shopping places in Mumbai you may venture to shop for cosmetics, perfumes ,kids toys,clothes and household items and myriads of other items.

1 CRAWFORD MARKET

(new name Mahatma Jyotiba Phule mandai)

Location : Dhobi Talao, Fort, Mumbai 400001 (South Mumbai)

Timings : Open everyday from 9.30am to 8pm, On Sundays till afternoon

What to buy : Grocery, household and kitchen stuff, toiletries, livestock.

This is one huge market with cluster of shops under one roof selling items from fruits to vegetables to cosmetics and perfumes, also has a separate section selling livestock and pets such as fish, puppies, kittens, parrots and hummingbirds.

This market has range of products with international and local brands, so you will find seasonal and luxury fruits as well some exotic and regular vegetables absolutely fresh, but to buy fruits and vegetables morning is the best time to visit, these shops will be open from 9.30am onwards.

Also you can get chocolates and biscuits, shampoos and cosmetics again both international and local brand.Spices, kitchenwares and household items are also sold here.There are also stalls selling ladies and kids clothes, and toys, stationery and other kids items. Many people purchase return gifts for their kids birthday party from here because not only you get the wholesale rate but also can find varied and unique range of such cute gifts.

Prior to liberalization Crawford market was the only place to sell international products.You can reach this place best by local train from C.S.T. station (formerly V.T.) and then take a taxi or walk it down, the market is approximately 1.5kms from the station. If you take the western line train and get down at Churchgate station and take a cab.

2 COLABA CAUSEWAY

Location: Colaba, South Mumbai

Timings : Everyday from 11am to 9.30pm

This place is a shoppers delight for college students and tourist as well, a string of street shops starting from the famous Café Mondegar, sell jewellery, bags and purses, clothes, souvenirs, shoes, artifacts, glares etc. You can find trendy t-shirts from as low as Rs.150/- onwards. Bohemian style dresses with accessories to team with it are ample. Compelling you to just grab them and don a new look and trust me this look won’t fail you.

Don’t be surprised to find brands like zara and aldo amongst local tees and shoes and sandals. The stuff here is mostly rejected “maal” as its said in mumbaiya bhasha (language) hence the quality is good.

You will also find vendors selling musical instruments.

The Souvenir stores is good for clothes. Fine Art shop for old clocks, compasses and pocket watches, Curio Cottage for semi-precious necklaces and wooden bangles, Real Deal for peasant tops and maxi dresses, Mohammed beads shop for semi-precious stones.

Its better walk down the entire street at first and check out the rates and varieties. Bargain to half of whats quoted, depending on what you are buying.

You can reach this place by cab from CST or Churchgate railway station and after shopping do try out the historic Café Mondegar or Leopolds Café.

3 Linking Road

Location : Bandra West, near National college

Timings : 10.30am to late evening

Almost entire Bandra west is a shoppers paradise. Apart from hill road, Linking road in particular is quite popular. There are some standalone stores and malls like Shoppers Stop and Amarsons, but the main attraction is the street side shopping stretching from Bandra to Khar.

Bandra is a suburb which is centrally located, easily accessible from any part of the Mumbai city. This place again is famous amongst woman for the varieties and reasonable rates. From belts, trendy jewellery, footwear, purses and of course clothes. Bargaining is a must again.

After shopping you can relax at Mcdonalds, Café Coffee Day or try some roadside cutting chai and sandwiches.

This place is walking distance from Khar station and hardly 10 mins by auto from Bandra station. There are many BEST buses also plying on this route.

4 Fashion street

Location : M.G.Road, Marine Lines, South Mumbai

Timing : Open daily from 11am to 8pm

This is one Mecca of shopping. It’s just not possible that if you are from Mumbai or even a tourist and have not visited this place. It tops the list of shopaholics and non-shopaholics.

This gathering of roadside stalls is almost between 150 to 200. Selling funky jewellery, belts, footwear, snazzy clothes and all. All the export quality surplus is sold here. There might be very minor defects if at all like a button missing or so.

Most of the time the vendor will inform upfront and will exchange it also as per availability. But defects, if any, are negligible. Again, wise bargaining will get you a great deal.

Fashion street is easily accessible from CST or Churchgate station, landmark is VSNL building and Azad maidan.

5 Chor Bazaar

Location : Mutton street, Kumbharwada, Byculla

Timings : 11am to 7.30pm (closed on Friday)

It’s famously said about this place that “If you cant find something anywhere, you will find it in Chor Bazaar.” This is the largest flea market in India. You can call this market a heritage site, due to its 150years old history.

Yes, this market originated in the British era and its said the actual name was ‘Shor Bazaar’ meaning ‘Noisy or Chaotic market’ but due to the British accent Shor became Chor and the rest is history as they say, eventually the name was taken seriously and stolen antiques etc also found way in this market.

The fact is the items here are mostly all second hand. You will be dumbstruck to find one of your household furniture over here , which you must have discarded through bhangarwala (scrap dealer) .

This is pre-dominantly Muslim area with similar old architecture, narrow crowded lanes. The items that you will find here are furniture, antiques, artifacts, paintings, chandeliers, automobile spare parts, gadgets, electronics, hardware, brassware, bronze items and so on.

Smart bargaining is required again, depending on what you are buying especially the Vintage stuff, also you should be aware about the actual market rates of the products so as to not get cheated and crack a good deal after travelling so far.

The closest railway station from the western line to Chor Bazaar is Grant Road station.

6 Chincholi Bunder Link Road

Location : Opp. Bangur Nagar , Goregaon west

Timings : Open daily from 10.30am to 9pm

What to buy : Furniture and decorative items

If you are unable to travel South Mumbai for furniture etc shopping this is the best alternate to visit. These lined up shops starting from Goregaon west till Oshiwara on Link Road offer great deal and varieties in furniture for your entire house.

From very limited shops few years back to a hub of furniture showrooms now, this place has grown because of the market it offers. There are shops with wooden, cane, very sleek and contemporary furniture, modular kitchen, chandeliers, statues and artifacts, upholstery, decorative items, and even made to order furniture.

Bargaining would be slightly difficult here, but not impossible and definitely the rates would be much less than the exclusive branded showrooms.

To reach here you can take a bus and get down at Bangur Nagar or Inorbit Mall, or reach Malad or Goregaon by train, come to the west and take a auto. This stretch starts from opposite Hypercity Mall going towards Oshiwara and Andheri west.