Mount Abu is accessible only by road. Aim to spend as little time as possible in the grim bazaar town of Abu Road , the nearest railhead, where travellers pick up buses for the forty-five-minute ascent from the plains. Entering Mount Abu itself, you have to pay a Rs5 fee.

 

Passengers arriving at the main bus stand in the southeast of Mount Abu are swamped by hotel touts and would-be luggage porters pushing pram-like trolleys. Turn right to get to the more expensive hotels, such as the Mount Regency ; left for the large central polo ground, the main bazaar, budget hotels and restaurants, and the lake (the road up the east side of the polo ground is the quickest route).

Details on local sights are available at the tourist office , opposite the main bus stand (Mon-Sat 10am-1.30pm & 2-5pm); they can also direct you to the best guides. To change travellers' cheques the best bet is the Union Bank of India, at the northern end of the bazaar behind the State Bank of India. The Bank of Baroda at the junction southeast of the polo ground gives cash against Visa or Mastercard. Next door to it stands the main post office .