Crawford Market (officially Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market) is a heritage 1869 covered bazaar near CSMT, selling fruit, spices, imported goods, kitchenware, and pets. It's a chaotic, sensory South Mumbai institution. Open roughly 11 AM to 8 PM, closed Sundays. Come to browse and haggle, not for a polished shopping experience.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon-Sat: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM (some sections from ~9 AM) Sun: Closed |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | CSMT (Central/Harbour Line) ~600 m; Masjid station ~1 km |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time to go | Late morning on a weekday (11:30 AM-1 PM); avoid Sundays (closed) |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.4/10- Value7.5
- iconic7.0
- Freshness9.3
- excellence7.0
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity8.0
- Accessibility8.0
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get there?
- It's a short walk (about 600 m) from CSMT, the historic Central Railway terminus, and near Masjid station on the Harbour Line. Taxis and autos know it well. It sits at the edge of the Fort district, easy to combine with a heritage walk.
- What are Crawford Market's hours?
- Most shops run roughly 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, though some sections open earlier around 9 AM. It's closed on Sundays, and parts of the spice and pet sections may be quiet on certain weekdays. Aim for a weekday late morning for the fullest experience.
- Is Crawford Market open on Sunday?
- No, the market is generally closed on Sundays, so plan your visit for another day. Some outer street vendors may still trade, but the main covered market and most shops will be shut. Weekdays are the safe bet.
- Is it worth visiting as a tourist?
- Yes, if you enjoy markets and don't mind crowds, noise, and haggling. The Victorian-Gothic building itself (designed with a frieze by Rudyard Kipling's father) is worth seeing. If you want calm, curated shopping, it'll feel overwhelming.
- Should I haggle?
- Absolutely, bargaining is expected here. Vendors quote high to tourists, so counter confidently and be ready to walk away. Buying in slightly larger quantities gets better rates. Keep valuables secure, as it's crowded and pickpocketing can happen.
- Is it safe?
- It's generally safe but very crowded and chaotic, so watch your bags and phone. The floors can be wet and slippery in the produce sections. Go with a relaxed attitude, keep valuables zipped away, and you'll be fine.
- What can you buy there?
- Everything from fresh fruit (including imported varieties), spices, dry fruits, and chocolates to kitchenware, wholesale goods, and household items. There's also a controversial pet-and-animal section. It's a wholesale-cum-retail bazaar, so prices are negotiable and quantities can be large.
- Is the pet market part of it?
- Yes, there's a longstanding animal and pet section, which many visitors find distressing due to conditions there. You can easily skip it and stick to the fruit, spice, and goods areas if you'd rather not see it.
Nearby in Ask Mumbai
- Zaveri BazaarMarket0.55 km · 7 min walk
- Kyani & Co.Café0.63 km · 8 min walk
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj TerminusAttraction0.77 km · 10 min walk
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Heritage GalleryMuseum0.83 km · 10 min walk
- Marine DriveAttraction1.34 km · 17 min walk
Where to stay near Crawford Market
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