India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (166 page)

Airlines
Phone numbers you may need are:
Jet Airways
(
3987-2222,
or airport 2256-1818);
Spice Jet
(
1800-180-3333
or 098-7180-3333);
Kingfisher
(
1800-233-1131
or 1800-1800-101).

Ambulance
For an ambulance, dial
102.
Or dial
Apollo Hospital
(
1066
or 2829-3333).
Apollo Hospital’s location on Anna Salai may be the most convenient.

American Express
The
American Express
office is at 501 Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai; open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 6:30pm; Saturday 9:30am to 2:30pm.

Area Code
The area code for
Chennai
is
044.
For directory inquiries dial 197; time in English 174; change of telephone number in English 1952; 24-hour information service 4444-4444.

ATMs
There are numerous ATMs around the city; ask your hotel concierge or driver about a machine near you.

Banks & Currency Exchange
There are a large number of foreign exchange dealers; again ask your hotel concierge, host, or driver. Note that most are closed on Sundays.

Bookstores
Higginbothams
(116 Anna Salai;
044/2256-0586;
daily 9am–7:30pm) has a great selection of books as well as Indian music.
Landmark
(3 Nungambakkam High Rd./M.G. Rd.;
044/2827-9637
or 044/2823-7438; daily 9am–9pm)
is said to be Chennai’s largest and most popular bookstore; it also has a selection of music, stationery, and other items, but the loud popular music piped through the speakers can be unnerving.

Car Rentals
Avis
is at 1/24 GST Rd. (
044/2234-4747
). See “Getting Around Chennai,” above.

Drugstore
Located on the second floor of Spencer Plaza (769 Anna Salai) is
Health & Glow
(
044/5205-6013;
Mon–Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 11am–7pm). Alternatively see under hospital below.

Embassies & Consulates
U.K.:
20 Anderson Rd.;
044/5219-2151;
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4pm.
U.S.:
220 Anna Salai;
044/2811-2000;
Monday to Friday 8:15am to 5pm.
New Zealand:
“Maithri,” 132 Cathedral Rd.;
044/2811-2473;
Monday to Friday 8am to 12:30pm, Saturday 8 to 11:45am.