Even for a pure bred Mumbaikar, I too found myself in a pickle when I moved back to Mumbai early July this year from New Zealand. The city is bigger than ever with all hardworking people pouring in from all walks of life to make their dreams come true.

In this city of glitz, glamour and business, you will often find yourself in an awe when you see an everyday commoner trying to get to work on time. The traditional local train buzz, overloaded buses with the "challa pudey challa" conductors and the bitter rejections of the rickshaw-wallas, we are pulled from all ends just to get from point A to point B.

Thanks to digital India and the "APP"ocolypse that has taken over our metro cities, life has become ever so slightly better.

Here are five apps a new Mumbaikar must have to get by:

1. The UTS Ticketing App

If you are new to Mumbai, the fear of getting onto the local train alone can be a pain let alone standing in long queues to get the train ticket when you are already half hour late for work.

This app saves you from that extra struggle and is an eco-friendly way of buying your ticket. It operates on both Android and iOS with a simple download on your app store. You can add cash to the RWallet and make the payments even faster.

You can book your typical one-way, two-way, platform tickets and even seasonal passes. This has never been easier.

There is a tiny catch though. to book one-way and two-way journeys, you need to be within 2 Km radius of the train station and also not too close to the booking office. The app only activates once you are within the radius.

1. The CityFlo / Shuttl / Kruze Apps

Ok, these are multiple apps clubbed in together in this point but all function on the same premise. These are comfortable air conditioned buses that connect two ends of the city and assure you a seat which, trust me, is a gift even Santa couldn't guarantee you this Christmas.

They have great first sign up discounts, easy booking process and are right on schedule so you do not reach groggy and late to your work. Catch up on sleep, read a book, finish that presentation or just get some ME time when you are comfortably traveling on these bus services.

1. PayTM

Agreed, this isn't a Mumbai specific App but it is incredible. You can book metro tickets on these and swipe through the terminal without a delay.

From your nukkad paanwala to some of the biggest brands accept payments form PayTM. You can also get a PayTM card and have better security of your money.

1. M-Indicator

Another travel based app, this has all the local train, bus, monorail, metro schedules and even gives an approximation of your rickshaw and taxi fares. You can track which station your train is at and if it is running late.

It is a life savior for people who have to change train lines to get to their office.

1. MSRTC

This app is for your short weekend trips around Maharashtra. Operated by the state government, these buses are Air-Conditioned and very reasonably priced. You can travel between Pune, Satara, Nashik, etc and the booking is very convenient.

Here ends my list. Let me know if I missed any and tell me what you think.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my Blog. Welcome to Mumbai!:)