Hiring driver/car in Chennai?

tmolta · Jun 14th, 2008, 04:37

We will be arriving in Chennai (and departing from there as well) and will spend our three weeks in Southern India. Is it best to look for a driver in Chennai or should we wait until we get further south? Any tips from those who have rented a car and driver in Southern India, including expected costs, will be appreciated.

zoltan · Jun 14th, 2008, 12:19

There are many car agencies in India. Just make sure that you know the all up prices that you are expected to pay so there are no unpleasant surprises in store when you pay the bill at the end.

I found out today from a friend in Himachal Pradesh that taxi/hire car rates have gone through the roof, due to the increases in oil prices.

In the past, the average rate for a car + driver was between rp7 & rp10. Now, you will need to add about 1/2 that amount again.

Cheers
Zoltan

Nick-H · Jun 17th, 2008, 01:49

I don't know how they justify that: fuel prices have gone up by a substantial amount, but nothing even close to 50%!

ananda2193 · Jun 17th, 2008, 02:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I don't know how they justify that: fuel prices have gone up by a substantial amount, but nothing even close to 50%!

Here's a quote from a story I read today.

Finally, out of desperation, the price of petrol was increased by 50 cents a gallon yesterday along with the prices of diesel and cooking gas.

And the link to the story,

http://www.businessweek.com/managing...612_718315.htm

Nick-H · Jun 17th, 2008, 02:52

But we buy our fuel in litres and pay for it in rupees!

My last tankfull of diesel cost 37.73Rs/Ltr. That was just after the prices went up, I think the state government may have immediately reduced the tax or something. I think the previous price was 35. I have a bill from about year ago showing 33.36

so that's a recent increase of 7.8%, and an increase over last year's price of 13%.

(actually my last year price is August 2007).

One would hope that car hire prices have not been put up by 50%!

But I don't know....

SitaParityaga · Jun 17th, 2008, 05:22

I did a partial car hire in Tamil Nadu in Dec '06 and Jan '07. I mean "partial", because I would hire a car to take me between places I was going to stay for a few days, then take local transport until I moved on to the next location. Worked out well that way and cut the costs.

tmolta, where in the south are you planning to go? Have you been to India before?

zoltan · Jun 17th, 2008, 09:40

Quote:

One would hope that car hire prices have not been put up by 50%! But I don't know....

Only going on what I was told - this figure may not be 100% correct - I too don't want to be facing huge price hikes.

Cheers
Zoltan

Nick-H · Jun 17th, 2008, 14:54

...not arguing, as I said, I don't know either --- just hoping you're wrong! If I come accross prices I'll post them.

I know that Chennai "call taxis" have gone up in price a lot, even before the fuel rise.

I expect the autos are making a bomb our of the fuel rise: they usually do. Curious that they never lower their prices when fuel price drops!

Jun 14th, 2008, 04:37	#1
tmolta Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 1	Hiring driver/car in Chennai? We will be arriving in Chennai (and departing from there as well) and will spend our three weeks in Southern India. Is it best to look for a driver in Chennai or should we wait until we get further south? Any tips from those who have rented a car and driver in Southern India, including expected costs, will be appreciated.

Jun 14th, 2008, 12:19	#2
zoltan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 510	There are many car agencies in India. Just make sure that you know the all up prices that you are expected to pay so there are no unpleasant surprises in store when you pay the bill at the end. I found out today from a friend in Himachal Pradesh that taxi/hire car rates have gone through the roof, due to the increases in oil prices. In the past, the average rate for a car + driver was between rp7 & rp10. Now, you will need to add about 1/2 that amount again. Cheers Zoltan __________________ India (and other) photos click here

Jun 17th, 2008, 01:49	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,831	I don't know how they justify that: fuel prices have gone up by a substantial amount, but nothing even close to 50%! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jun 17th, 2008, 02:52	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,831	But we buy our fuel in litres and pay for it in rupees! My last tankfull of diesel cost 37.73Rs/Ltr. That was just after the prices went up, I think the state government may have immediately reduced the tax or something. I think the previous price was 35. I have a bill from about year ago showing 33.36 so that's a recent increase of 7.8%, and an increase over last year's price of 13%. (actually my last year price is August 2007). One would hope that car hire prices have not been put up by 50%! But I don't know....

Jun 17th, 2008, 05:22	#6
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 892	I did a partial car hire in Tamil Nadu in Dec '06 and Jan '07. I mean "partial", because I would hire a car to take me between places I was going to stay for a few days, then take local transport until I moved on to the next location. Worked out well that way and cut the costs. tmolta, where in the south are you planning to go? Have you been to India before?

Jun 17th, 2008, 14:54	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,831	...not arguing, as I said, I don't know either --- just hoping you're wrong! If I come accross prices I'll post them. I know that Chennai "call taxis" have gone up in price a lot, even before the fuel rise. I expect the autos are making a bomb our of the fuel rise: they usually do. Curious that they never lower their prices when fuel price drops!

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