Car hire from Chennai to Pondicherry

anesa · Jul 31st, 2006, 13:10

Hi all - it's great to be part of such an interesting group!

I need to hire a car to go from Chennai to Pondicherry in early Feb next year and have been quoted 80USD for a non a/c Ambassador inclusive of fuel, batta, toll, permits and parking

I have checked various threads here and 80USD seem quite expensive but I want to get the facts straight before negotiating. How much is the ECR toll to and from Pondicherry? (because I've been quoted Rs1000 - there seems to be a strange permit going through Auroville??).

It is my third trip to India but I've never been in Tamil Nadu. Any insight - like "you should get an a/c car for that price" or "I've gotten better" or "the rates go up because of the fuel prices and also it is high tourist season" - would be welcome. Thanks in advance!

Nick-H · Jul 31st, 2006, 19:09

Were they quoting for a week? !

Here's the rates from a local newspaper advertisment. It is a few months old, and petrol has gone up, but it won't be far out.

Pondi, same-day return*, 350Km...

from 1650Rs non-ac Indica (small but modern car) to 2450Rs for an ac Toyota Qualis (big thing). Other rates for inbetween cars.

Whether it includes the toll or not I'm not sure, but that will not be much (50?-ish)

This is a company called City Limouzines. They are a national company, their prices are competitiv, but the smaller local tour companies should be around the same or a bit more.

*return... you're going to have to pay for the car to come back to its base.

Penri · Jul 31st, 2006, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Whether it includes the toll or not I'm not sure, but that will not be much (50?-ish)

80USD is a lot! You could get an Avis/Oryx car with driver for a week for that much.

The toll is 25rs one-way and 45rs for day return.

anesa · Jul 31st, 2006, 20:03

Thank you both for your quick reply. I will negotiate based on the information you gave me. Thanks again!

Sama · Jul 31st, 2006, 20:21

you don't go "through" Auroville from Chennai to Pondicherry. there is no "permit" -- there is only a toll on ECR.

hey, take a bus, lots cheaper! about 100Rs roundtrip!

and very exciting!

Jul 31st, 2006, 13:10	#1
anesa Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: in the ether Posts: 12	Car hire from Chennai to Pondicherry Hi all - it's great to be part of such an interesting group! I need to hire a car to go from Chennai to Pondicherry in early Feb next year and have been quoted 80USD for a non a/c Ambassador inclusive of fuel, batta, toll, permits and parking I have checked various threads here and 80USD seem quite expensive but I want to get the facts straight before negotiating. How much is the ECR toll to and from Pondicherry? (because I've been quoted Rs1000 - there seems to be a strange permit going through Auroville??). It is my third trip to India but I've never been in Tamil Nadu. Any insight - like "you should get an a/c car for that price" or "I've gotten better" or "the rates go up because of the fuel prices and also it is high tourist season" - would be welcome. Thanks in advance!

Jul 31st, 2006, 20:21	#5
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 6,432	you don't go "through" Auroville from Chennai to Pondicherry. there is no "permit" -- there is only a toll on ECR. hey, take a bus, lots cheaper! about 100Rs roundtrip! and very exciting! __________________ *MY INDIA, 2005-2008* "Once you have felt the Indian dust, you will never be free of it." (Rumer Godden, 1975)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Advice concerning car hire and driver hire esp. in Rajasthan and Punjab	punchinello	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	23	May 27th, 2009 23:33
car hire in Chennai?	dhans	Tamil Nadu	9	Jun 4th, 2007 23:29
Chennai Car Hire Costs	Nick-H	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	2	Nov 17th, 2005 12:54
hire a car in chennai	pau	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	13	Oct 16th, 2005 23:02
Pondicherry, Chennai, Kerala and Tirupati?	dhananjay	India Travel Itinerary Advice	4	Jul 29th, 2005 23:56

Jul 31st, 2006, 19:09	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Were they quoting for a week? ! Here's the rates from a local newspaper advertisment. It is a few months old, and petrol has gone up, but it won't be far out. Pondi, same-day return, 350Km... from 1650Rs non-ac Indica (small but modern car) to 2450Rs for an ac Toyota Qualis (big thing). Other rates for inbetween cars. Whether it includes the toll or not I'm not sure, but that will not be much (50?-ish) This is a company called City Limouzines. They are a national company, their prices are competitiv, but the smaller local tour companies should be around the same or a bit* more. *return... you're going to have to pay for the car to come back to its base.

Jul 31st, 2006, 20:03	#4
anesa Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: in the ether Posts: 12	Thank you both for your quick reply. I will negotiate based on the information you gave me. Thanks again!