The easiest way of getting around is by metered auto-rickshaws which are everywhere and go anywhere. There is a prepaid auto-rickshaw stand outside the main railway station. Buses are run by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) (tel: (080) 2222 2542) and their services radiate from the City Bus Stand next to the Central Bus Stand. As well as regular stopping services, the BMTC operate a number of deluxe express services to designated destinations. The KR Market bus stand is to the south of the city (tel: (080) 2670 2177), and Shivajinagar to the north (tel: (080) 2286 5332). Daily and weekly passes are available at discounted rates.

There is no metro or tram system.

The main taxi companies are Cab Service (tel: (080) 2558 6121) and the 24-hour Dial-a-Car (tel: (080) 2526 1737).

The commonest method of car hire is to hire a car with a driver. The main companies are Clipper Holidays (tel: (080) 2559 9032; website: www.clipperholidays.co.in), Gulliver's Tours and Travels (tel: (080) 2558 8001) and KSTDC (tel: (080) 2287 0068; website: http://kstdc.nic.in).

Simple car-only hire is offered by Avis (tel: (080) 2558 5858; website: www.avis.com) and Hertz (tel: (080) 25599408; website: www.hertz.com).

The reason why many visitors hire a car plus driver is because driving in India requires familiarity with local driving customs, not to say skill and daring. Although traffic goes on the left, British visitors are unaccustomed to animals wandering on the streets, not to mention speeding trucks and overloaded buses. Visitors should have insurance and an international driving licence to drive in India but the licence requirement is often waived if you have your licence from home.

KSTDC operate a selection of guided bus tours from a twice-daily city tour to ‘outstation tours' to Mysore and to Belur/Halebid. These involve spending up to eight hours in the bus.