VENUE

Bangalore, officially known as Bengaluru, is one of the most hip and happening cities in India and also often referred to as India's Silicon Valley. See Google Maps Reference. The venue details for Eclipse India Summit 2009 will be available soon. Please check back for updates. To stay abreast of summit news and to receive email notification of new updates, please sign up for the Eclipse India Summit 2009 newsletter.

GETTING THERE

Bangalore International Airport

Bengaluru International Airport, the gateway to South India, is situated in Devanahalli to the north of Bengaluru on the National Highway 7 and is 40 kilometres from the city’s central business district. For more information about the airport, arrival and departures, click here. International attendees please visit www.visatoindia.com for information about traveling to India.

Local Travel

By Bus

Buses in Bangalore are cheap and usually frequent, but traveling on them can be very difficult if you don't know the system well. Local city buses display only the route number in English, with the destination and route information is written in Kannada. You can log on to the BMTC online bus route information system, here: www.bmtcinfo.com/jsp/ and enter your point of origin and choose your destination as Malleswaram 18th Cross to map your route to the venue.

By Auto-Rickshaws

Auto-rickshaws are everywhere at any time of day. They are yellow three wheeled contraptions that use simple two-stroke engines and belch out pollutants. Nevertheless, they are a fast way to get around the city. Autos are supposed to charge according to the meter, and you should simply refuse to board one where the meter is faulty or the driver refuses to use it. Saying "meter please" will usually do the trick. For a ride from Bangalore Bus Stand ( Majestic / Railway Station ) the fare should be Rs. 50. You can also avail the services of Prepaid counters to hire one. Prepaid counters are located in many parts of the city- MG Road, Majestic etc.

By City Taxis

The taxis in Bangalore are very convenient and comfortable. Most of the vehicles are Maruti Omni Vans or Tata Indica cars, which are much safer than Auto rickshaws, and the drivers are polite. If you are alone or going to an unknown destination, you are strongly advised to choose this option, even though the rates will be double that of an auto. Most taxi companies will charge a flat rate of Rs. 150 for a pick-up and drop from anywhere to anywhere within city limits. Waiting or return trips will be charged extra, as will a lot of heavy luggage. The actual rates are Rs. 120 for 10 km (minimum) and Rs. 12 for every extra kilometer.

You need to call the following numbers for availing this service.

Unicorn [for Kinetic Honda Bike rentals] 98440-24365

HIT THE SACK

Due to demand vastly outstripping supply, good hotels in Bangalore are insanely expensive — with average rates pushing US$500/night, it's possibly the most expensive city on Earth to a businessman expecting a Western-style experience to sleep in. Fortunately prices at the lower end of the spectrum are rather more reasonable.

Budget

• Ajantha, 22 MG Road. Good simple hotel with veggie restaurant. Tel:+91 80 2558-4321.
• Royal Lodge, S. C. Road (Next to Kapali theater),Clean rooms and convenient to the city’s local transports like the City bus station and the City Railway Station. Tel:+91 080 2226-6951
• Sri Rama Krishna Hotel (good, cheap hotel) - in the "Majestic Area" near City Rail and Bus Station. Rs.450 (close to $10) per night will get you a very secure single with morning Freezing cold water, tea/coffee TV, phone in room and a good views if on upper floor (request). However, if you have a problem with cockroaches, then you'll probably want to look elsewhere. Also, make sure you bring mosquito netting as there are vents that are impossible to close. The hotel also has a very popular, large restaurant serving South Indian food. - closed for renovation in late August 2006.
• Shree Vaishnav Gujarati Samaj (good, very cheap staying for gujaratis) - just behind "Majestic Area" Nr Sapna cinema, Kempe Gowda circle - a secure and decent place to stay if you are there for a day or two. Costs only 50 rs for a day / bed. A nice canteen just inside the place with gujarati food available. In the vicinity there is another good place available for fast food / lunch named "SLV". Good value for money.
• YMCA, Nrupathunga Road (near Cubbon Park), no-frills hotel. Tel:+91 80 2221-1848

Mid-range

• Hotel Brindavan - Located just off M.G. Road. Very near to M. G. Road/Brigade Road junction (Also called Cauvery handicraft junction). Nice hotel for lodging & great south Indian food.
• Church Street Inn - 46,1-1 Church Street (Opposite Night Watchman Pub, Tel: +91 80 30577190. Complimentary wi-fi access and an in house library from Dr. Seuss to Dostoyevsky! Friendly and intelligent staff.
• Hotel St. Marks - St. Marks Road (Near Residency Road).

Splurge

• Grand Ashok Hotel, Kumara Krupa High Grounds. Tel:+91 80 22-2404-2211 (9 lines).
• Taj Residency Hotel], 41/3 MG Road. Tel:+91 80 5660-4444. Email: mailto:residency.bangalore@tajhotels.com. Besides the Leela, this is considered the Best Business Hotel in India.
• Chancery Pavilion, Residency Road. Nice business hotel, good service and food. About $200 US.
• Park Hotel, 14/7 MG Road. Tel:+91 80 2559-4666.
• ITC Windsor Sheraton Hotel, Sankey Road.
• Oberoi Hotel, 37-39 MG Road. Tel:+91 80 2558-5858.
• Taj West End Hotel, Race Course Road. Tel:+91 80 5660-5660.
• Leela Palace Kempinski, Tel:+91 80 2521-1234. The Leela has been voted 'The Best Business Hotel in the World' by Conde Naste Traveller, for the year 2007.
• Le Meridien, Tel:+91-80-2226 22 33.
• Hotel Royal Orchid, Tel:+91 80 2520 5566. Adjoining KGA Golf Course, Airport Road. Sometimes referred to as the "Royal Orchid Park Plaza". Not to be confused with Royal Orchid Central.