Ambulance -- In case of accidents or medical emergencies, dial tel. 102 or 1298, or call tel. 105 for a cardiac ambulance. You can also contact Bacha's Nursing Home (La Citadelle, New Marine Lines; tel. 022/2203-2977 or 022/2200-0963) or Bombay Hospital (Bombay Hospital Rd., New Marine Lines; tel. 022/2206-7676; www.bombayhospital.com). Or try Swati Ambulance (tel. 022/2387-1215), which has 24-hour service.
American Express -- The office is near the Jehangir Art Gallery at Kala Ghoda (Trade Wings Ltd., 30 K Dubash Marg, Kala Ghoda; tel. 022/6634-4334). Hours are Monday to Saturday 10:30am to 6pm.
Area Code -- The area code for Mumbai is 022.
ATMs -- Undoubtedly the most convenient way to get local currency, ATMs are to be found throughout the city, most of them with 24-hour security guards. Your best bet for a quick transaction is to head for an ATM belonging to either HDFC, HSBC, ICICI, SBI, or Standard Chartered.
Bookstores -- Crossword Bookstore (Mohammedbhai Mansion, Kemps Corner, below flyover; tel. 022/2384-2001 through -2004) has a Western ambience and Mumbai's largest selection of books. Alternatively, stop at Shankar's Book Stall (tel. 92-2411-1790), a tiny stall just outside Café Mondegar, Colaba Causeway; or at Strand Book Stall (Sir PM Rd., Fort; tel. 022/2266-1994 or -1719), which offers books at great discounts. Inside the Taj Mahal Hotel is Nalanda (tel. 022/2287-1306), a good spot to shop for coffee-table books and travel-related selections.
Consulates -- U.S.: Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Rd., Breach Candy (tel. 022/2363-3611 through -3618; Mon-Fri 8:30am-1pm and 1:45-5pm; closed second and last Fri of the month and on Indian and American national holidays). U.K.: Second Floor, Maker Chambers IV, 222 Jamnalal Bajaj Rd., Nariman Point (tel. 022/6650-2222; Mon-Thurs 8am-4pm and Fri 8am-1pm). Australia: 36 Maker Chambers VI, 220 Nariman Point (tel. 022/6669-2000; Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). Canada: Sixth Floor, Fort House, 221 D.N. Rd., Fort (tel. 022/6749-4444; Mon-Thurs 9am-5:30pm; Fri 9am-3pm). South Africa: Gandhi Mansion, 20 Altamount Rd., Cumbala Hill, near Kemp's Corner (tel. 022/2351-3725/6; Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm).
Currency Exchange -- Thomas Cook India is located in the Thomas Cook Building, Dr. D. Naoroji Road, Fort (tel. 022/2204-8556), and is open Mon-Sat 9:30am-6pm. Or head to the American Express Office.
Directory Assistance -- The main directory information number is tel. 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 tel. 022/2888-8888, Times Infoline at tel. 022/6700-5555, or DNA Infoline at tel. 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 (tel. 022/2206-7676) at the hospital in New Marine Lines is open 24 hours, as is nearby Dava Bazaar (32 Kakad Arcade; tel. 022/6665-9079). If you're in the north, Empire Chemists (tel. 022/2671-8970), near Juhu, is a reliable option.
Hospitals -- Breach Candy Hospital, 60 Warden Rd., Breach Candy (tel. 022/2367-1888 or -2888; emergency tel. 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 (tel. 022/2206-7676; www.bombayhospital.com), is more centrally located and has a 24-hour ambulance service. In Bandra (W), Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre (tel. 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 (tel. 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; tel. 022/2284-0174).
Maps - The Eicher City Map is the most definitive, accurate and helpful tool you could hope for -- 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 tel. 100 for a general police emergency. Local numbers are: Colaba tel. 022/2285-6817; Cuffe Parade tel. 022/2218-8009; Juhu tel. 022/2618-4308; Khar tel. 022/2649-6030; Malabar Hill tel. 022/2363-7571; Andheri tel. 022/2683-1562.
Post Office -- The General Post Office is right near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on St. George Rd., off Nagar Chowk (tel. 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.
Travel Agencies -- Contact IATA-affiliated NAC Travels Pvt. Ltd., 412 Raheja Centre, Nariman Point (tel. 022/2202-8810), or the dependable Travel Corporation of India (TCI) in the Chandermukhi Building (first floor), also at Nariman Point (tel. 022/2202-1881 or -7120). On Colaba Causeway, near Café Mondegar, is Uniglobe Venture Travel Services (Metro House, Colaba Causeway; tel. 022/2287-6666), which offers reliable ticketing and other travel-related services. Most travel agents will arrange to deliver tickets to your hotel.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
