EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Banks and exchange The State Bank of India is just south of Taj Gaj in the Cantonment (Amex travellers' cheques not accepted); Andhra Bank is over in Sadar Bazaar; and the Allahabad is in the Hotel Clarks Shiraz ). Money transfers can also be arranged through Sita World Travel, on Taj Road (tel 0562/363013). If you get caught out by a public holiday, you could always try one of the private exchange offices in the Tourist Complex Area, around Pizza Hut (LKP Forex, opposite the Amar Hotel on the Fatehbad Road, are always reliable and fast), but if you're changing a large amount it's always worth shopping around to find the best rate.

Internet access Offered by an ever-growing number of hotels, guesthouses and email booths around town, despite the notoriously undependable connection in Agra. At the time of writing, the lowest rates in Taj Ganj were offered by the STD/ISD office on the corner of West Gate and the main street (South Gate) through the bazaar (Rs55/hr).

Hospitals The Upadhyay Hospital, Shahid Nagar Crossing (tel 0562/368844, fax 361111), has been recommended by readers as clean and dependable, with competent English-speaking doctors.

Photography Agra Color Lab, E6-7 Shopping Arcade, Sadar Bazaar, and 34/2 Sanjay Place, opposite Soor Sadan, offers one-hour processing.

Post The Head Post Office is on the Mall, near the Government of India tourist office; there are smaller sub-post offices in the Taj Mahal complex and in Taj Ganj. Poste restante at the Head Post Office is inefficient and you may be better off using the Government of India tourist office's address on the Mall, instead.

Swimming Agra's exclusive hotels sometimes let nonresidents swim in their pools, for daily fees. Best of the bunch is the Clarks Shiraz (Rs200) and the Moghul Sheraton (Rs200), followed by the Agra Ashok and the Mayur (Rs150).