The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, known to many Mumbaikars as the Prince of Wales Museum, is the city’s best known museum. It stands near Kala Ghoda in Fort, and the building was designed by George Wittet and opened in 1922, according to Wikipedia. This guide gives the opening hours and ticket prices from the museum’s visit page, explains what to bring and what to leave, and shows how to reach it from Navi Mumbai.
Prices and hours were effective from 1 May 2025 on the museum’s page, and some galleries close for works. Check the museum’s visit page before you travel. This guide is independent and is not run by the museum.
CSMVS at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Address | 159 to 161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai 400023. |
| Open | Monday to Sunday, 10:15 am to 6:00 pm. |
| Ticket counter closes | 5:45 pm. |
| Closed | Only on 26 January, 1 May, 15 August and 2 October, according to the museum. There is no weekly closed day. |
| Food | There is no place to eat inside the campus. Drinking water is available. |
Ticket prices
The museum lists these prices, with the second figure for entry with the audio guide.
| Visitor | Museum entry | With audio guide |
|---|---|---|
| Indian adult (15 and above) | Rs 200 | Rs 250 |
| College student with ID | Rs 100 | Rs 150 |
| Child (5 to 15) and school student up to class 10 | Rs 40 | Rs 90 |
| Indian group (15 or more), each | Rs 150 | |
| Economy concession (BPL or special needs) | Rs 30 | |
| Foreign adult (15 and above) | Rs 700 | Audio guide free |
| Foreign child (up to 15) | Rs 200 | Audio guide free |
The museum also lists concession rows for defence personnel and Indian senior citizens with ID. The page shows two sets of figures for this group, so confirm the senior and defence concession at the counter before you queue. Special exhibitions may be charged separately, so ask at the counter.
Audio guide, cameras and bags
- The audio guide alone costs Rs 100 for Indian visitors. It has 28 stops and takes about an hour. Buy it at the ticket desk or kiosk, collect it and return it at the counter near the entrance.
- A camera pass for a handheld camera without a tripod costs Rs 500, and a video camera pass costs Rs 5,000, according to the museum. Selfie sticks are not allowed, and commercial shoots need prior permission.
- The museum page does not state a rule for phone photography, so ask at the counter.
- A luggage counter near the entrance takes laptop bags, backpacks and large bags. School groups leave their bags on the bus.
- No food or drink is allowed in the galleries.
What to see
Wikipedia lists galleries on sculpture, prehistory, natural history, Indian miniature paintings, Krishna, Himalayan art, decorative metalware, coins, Chinese and Japanese art, European paintings, arms and armour, textiles, the Bombay School and prints. Some galleries are closed for works from time to time, so check the visit page. The museum directs access queries to the Information Centre on the ground floor of the Heritage Wing, so ask there about accessibility. No ramp or wheelchair arrangement is stated here.
How to reach CSMVS from Navi Mumbai
The museum is in the Fort area of south Mumbai. No Metro Line 3 station carries the museum’s name, but CSMT, Hutatma Chowk, Churchgate and Vidhan Bhavan stations are nearby on the line, according to Wikipedia’s station list. Check the exact walk on a map before you go.
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Harbour line to CSMT | The easy end from Navi Mumbai. Take the Harbour line to CSMT, then walk or take a taxi to Kala Ghoda. See the Mumbai local train guide for the line. |
| Western line | Churchgate is on the Western line only, so from Navi Mumbai you would change lines first. CSMT is usually simpler. |
| Taxi or cab | Simple for elders and for families with children. Ask for the Mahatma Gandhi Road entrance. |
The walking time and distance from CSMT are not stated here. The museum is a short walk or taxi ride from the station area.
Planning your visit
- Start in the morning, since the counter closes at 5:45 pm and you may want to see several galleries.
- Carry a small bag so you do not need the luggage counter.
- Take the audio guide if you want a structured one hour tour.
- Combine the visit with other Mumbai outings. See the Mumbai Darshan bus guide, the Nehru Science Centre guide, the Nehru Planetarium guide and the Haji Ali Dargah guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the CSMVS opening hours?
The museum is open every day from 10:15 am to 6:00 pm, and the ticket counter closes at 5:45 pm.
Is CSMVS closed on any weekday?
No. According to the museum it closes only on 26 January, 1 May, 15 August and 2 October.
How much is the CSMVS ticket?
Rs 200 for an Indian adult and Rs 250 with the audio guide, according to the museum’s page effective 1 May 2025. Confirm before you go.
Can I take photographs inside?
A handheld camera pass costs Rs 500 and selfie sticks are not allowed. Ask at the counter about phones.
Is there a cafe at CSMVS?
No. The museum says there is no place to eat inside the campus.
How do I reach CSMVS from Navi Mumbai?
Take the Harbour line to CSMT and walk or take a taxi to Kala Ghoda in Fort.
Sources and a note on accuracy
- CSMVS visit page for the hours, tickets, bags and audio guide.
- Time Out Mumbai for the daily timing.
- Wikipedia for the building, the galleries and the Metro stations.
Reviewed on 23 October 2026. Prices, concessions and open galleries change, so confirm them with the museum.
Featured photo: Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai 01 by Bernard Gagnon, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, cropped and resized.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with CSMVS.
