India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [92]
Currency Exchange Thomas Cook India is located in the Thomas Cook Building, Dr. D. Naoroji Road, Fort ( 022/2204-8556), and is open Mon–Sat 9:30am–6pm. Or head to the American Express Office (details above).
Directory Assistance The main directory information number is 197 (if you can get through). For talking Yellow Pages service or any other useful information, call the much more helpful Just Dial Services at 022/2888-8888, Times Infoline at 022/6700-5555, or DNA Infoline at 022/2666-6666.
Drugstores Most hotels will happily source any medication you require, but drugstores (called pharmacies or chemists) are plentiful and readily hand over prescription drugs (even without a prescription). In South Mumbai, Bombay Hospital Pharmacy ( 022/2206-7676) at the hospital in New Marine Lines is open 24 hours, as is nearby Dava Bazaar (32 Kakad Arcade; 022/6665-9079). If you’re in the north, Empire Chemists ( 022/2671-8970), near Juhu, is a reliable option.
Emergencies See “Police,” below.
Hospitals Breach Candy Hospital, 60 Warden Rd., Breach Candy ( 022/2367-1888 or -2888; emergency 022/2364-3309), is open 24 hours and is one of the most advanced and reliable hospitals in Mumbai. Bombay Hospital, Bombay Hospital Rd., New Marine Lines ( 022/2206-7676; www.bombayhospital.com), is more centrally located and has a 24-hour ambulance service. In Bandra (W), Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre ( 022/2642-1111, 022/2643-8281, or 022/2655-2222) is a modern facility.
Internet Access There’s hardly a hotel in town without Wi-Fi; access is seldom free, however, so you may end up looking for an Internet cafe. For a cheap (around Rs 30 per hr.), reliable connection, pop into LSM PCO Service, Shop no. 7B Abubakar Mansion, Mahakavi Bhushan Rd., Colaba ( 022/2202-2452). Open daily 9am to 11pm, it’s just around the corner from Café Mondegar. For better broadband speeds, try Amrut Cyberworld Cybercafé near Churchgate Station (8 Prem Court, behind Samrat Hotel; 022/2284-0174).
Maps The Eicher City Map is the most definitive, accurate and helpful tool you could hope for (pick it up from bookstores noted above)—but we doubt you’re ever going to actually use it!
Newspapers & Magazines For the scoop on day-to-day city news, buy a copy of the local rag Mid Day, sold on street corners and at intersections from early in the morning. The Times of India and Hindustan Times are both good national dailies that provide the lowdown on current and social events; most hotels deliver a copy of at least one paper to your room. Time Out Mumbai is a twice-monthly magazine that has the best listings of events and happenings, as well as interesting city features.
Police Call 100 for a general police emergency. Local numbers are: Colaba 022/2285-6817; Cuffe Parade 022/2218-8009; Juhu 022/2618-4308; Khar 022/2649-6030; Malabar Hill 022/2363-7571; Andheri 022/2683-1562.
Post Office The General Post Office is right near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on St. George Rd., off Nagar Chowk ( 022/2262-0956); it’s open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm. However, unless you’re genuinely interested in checking out the building for its superb architecture, you’ll save considerable time and energy by asking your hotel concierge to handle any postal items.
Restrooms Make full use of your bathroom facilities before you head out for a day of sightseeing. Use only restrooms in hotels and upmarket restaurants.
Taxis See “Getting Around,” below.
Travel Agencies Contact IATA-affiliated NAC Travels Pvt. Ltd., 412 Raheja Centre, Nariman Point ( 022/2202-8810), or the dependable Travel Corporation of India (TCI) in the Chandermukhi Building (first floor), also at Nariman Point ( 022/2202-1881 or -7120). On Colaba Causeway, near Café Mondegar, is Uniglobe Venture Travel Services (Metro House, Colaba Causeway; 022/2287-6666), which offers reliable ticketing and