Munnar can be reached by bus from Kochi, Kottayam, Kumily and Madurai, either directly or with a change at Tehni. State-run and private services pull into the stand in the bazaar at the north end of town, near the river confluence and Tata headquarters. For most hotels you should ask to be dropped off at Old Munnar, 2km south of the centre, near the ineffectual DTPC tourist office (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; tel 0486/530679). If you need information on transport, accommodation and day-trips, including to Eravikulam, seek out the helpful Joseph Iype , who runs the Free Tourist Information Service (tel 0486/530349) from a small office in the main bazaar. Immortalized in Dervla Murphy's book On a Shoestring to Coorg , this self-appointed tourist officer has become something of a legend, but the accommodation he has on offer is disappointing. In addition to handing out useful maps and newspaper articles, he'll arrange auto-rickshaws and taxis for excursions, and bombard you with background on the area. You can change money at the State Bank of Travancore or the State Bank of India.