India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [352]
Bookstores The best are in Khan Market—try Bahri & Sons ( 011/2469-4610;www.booksatbahri.com), or Full Circle ( 011/2465-5641; www.atfullcircle.com). If you’re looking for something downtown, Bookworm (29 B-Block Connaught Place; 011/2332-2260) is excellent, and will often obtain a book you want within 24 hours even if it’s not in stock. In Jor Bagh. Om bookshop also has a huge collection and many branches in prime locations (E-77 South Ex Part I, 011/2465-3792; and 45 Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar, 011/2614-3530 are the two main outlets).
Car Hires See “Getting Around,” above. For upmarket cars and other travel arrangements, the best operator is Banyan Tours and Travels ( 0124/456-3800; www.banyantours.com); while their rates may be higher than others, their service is impeccable. Another operator to try is Tallis & Company (877 Udyog Vihar, Phase V, Gurgaon; 0124/400-4458;www.tallisandco.com).
Currency Exchange The international airport has 24-hour currency exchange but no facilities to let you draw money on your credit cards, so bring foreign notes or traveler’s checks if you intend to catch a taxi from here. Thomas Cook is located at the airport (open 24/7) and at The Imperial hotel (Mon–Sat; see “Where to Stay,” later in this section). See above for American Express. For cash withdrawals or exchange, see “ATMs” and “Banks,” above.
Directory Assistance To get numbers texted to your mobile phone (or e-mailed to you), call Just Dial ( 011/6999-9999).
Doctors & Dentists All hotels listed here have doctors on call. The hotels are also your best bet for finding a reputable dentist.
Drugstores There are numerous 24-hour drugstores throughout the city. Best to ask your hotel to arrange a delivery or pickup.
Embassies & Consulates U.S.: Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri ( 011/2419-8000; Mon–Fri 8:30am–1pm and 2–5:30pm). U.K: Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri ( 011/2419-2100; Mon–Fri 9am–1pm and 2–4pm). Australia: 1/50-G Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri ( 011/4139-9900; Mon–Fri 8:30am–1pm and 2–5pm). Canada: 7/8 Shanti Path Chanakyapuri ( 011/4178-2000). New Zealand: 50-N Nyaya Marg ( 011/2688-3170).
Emergencies For police call 100; for local stations ask your hotel or call the Government of India Tourist Office. See “Ambulance,” above. For complaints about taxi or auto-rickshaw drivers, dial 011/2301-0101 or 011/4340-0400. For any tourism-related emergencies, call the Tourism Hotline ( 011/2336-5358).
Hospitals All India Institute of Medicinal Sciences ( 011/2658-8500), on Ansari Nagar, has a 24-hour trauma unit. Alternatively, head for Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (Baba Khadak Singh Marg; 011/2336-5933 or -5525) or, farther afield, is Apollo Hospital on the Delhi–Mathura Road ( 011/2682-5858 or -5801); both have 24-hour emergency service.
Internet Access Numerous outlets are located all over the city and charge Rs 25 to Rs 75 per hour.
Mobile Phones You can buy prepaid cellphone cards almost anywhere in Delhi (see chapter 3); however, the procedure has been severely complicated by various anti-terrorism laws that will require you to supply ID photos and copies of your passport and visa, and possibly proof of residence. Call pricing options also vary considerably according to network and package purchased. Best to ask your hotel about the best (and simplest) rental scheme, or call Matrix at 011/2680-0000 (www.matrix.in); they promise to deliver a phone to you within 2 hours.
Newspapers & Magazines Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The Times of India are good national dailies that provide the lowdown on (largely) the political scene. Outlook and India Today are weekly news magazines that cover a range of issues; of the two, Outlook is more populist and interesting to read. Time Out New Delhi (Rs 50) is a superb source of (sometimes sycophantic) information about every conceivable activity in town, with good accounts of new establishments and entertainment events; you can access most of it on www.timeoutdelhi.net. It’s considerably better than First City, a reasonable