Chennai Auto & Taxi Fares

larabe · Aug 31st, 2009, 10:12

Hi all,
Thank you everyone for lots of very useful information that I have already found in what was already posted. I'm visiting Chennai next month and will only be there for a few days. I have pretty much planned out what I want to do (thank you all!)and whilst I realise that I will need to negotiate for autos, I was hoping that someone may be able to give me an idication of what fare I should expect to pay (so I'll know exactly how much I'm being ripped off

).

Trips I am planning are:

GST Rd to Mylapore

GST Rd to Spencer Plaza

GST Rd to Stirling St

Stirling St to T Nagar

GST Rd to Parry's Corner

GST Rd to Elliots Beach (can you suggest a land mark to head for)

GST Rd to Marina Beach (can you suggest a land mark to head for)

No Prizes for guess what street the hotel I'm staying at is on!

Thanks for your assistance.

Nick-H · Aug 31st, 2009, 15:35

Hmmm... If your budget is fairly high then I suppose it must be Le Royal Meridien, but otherwise, the Grand Southern Trunk Road, as its name suggests, is far too long for anyone to take a guess!

Auto fares have shot up since I used to use them, and whenever I suggest what I think is right, my wife, who does use them when I am not driving her, tells me I am saying far too little, so I won't try. Added to this, taking an auto from the gate of a large hotel adds a large amount to the fare. There is no "fare" --- they are out to get as much as they can.

These days, given the way that auto drivers charge, call taxis have become more economical, and have added comfort and safety. Mrs N pays Rs400 for 4 hours, max 40km package. A visitor, especially when departing or dropping at a big hotel, could easily pay 400 just for a couple of auto rides.

Call an outside company, like Fasttrack. You can ask the hotel, I'm sure they would supply a car, but it is likely to be much more expensive. Remember to specify if you need an English-speaking driver.

larabe · Aug 31st, 2009, 17:32

Hi Nick, You are right (good guess!). I am attending for a business trip so work will pay my accommodation (lucky me!) but I will need to pay my own personal transport. I was thinking that because I was only doing 3 -4 trips each day spread out throughout the day (I plan to try to walk around the various areas to get more of a sense of the place rather than spend my day getting in and out of a car) that autos would be better but maybe a call taxi is a better option. Any thoughts on the call Taxi fares for these trips or do you suggest hiring a car with a driver each day and calling them for my various pick ups (I assume that they all carry a mobile).
Thanks for your advice.

gaurav1441 · Aug 31st, 2009, 20:00

In case you can try the good Chennai buses as well those will give a greater feel than probably Autos (https://www.ttdconline.com/tourdetails.aspx?tourid=1) (try this tour)....Hiring a Call taxi for a day would be the most comfortable option. All Call taxi drivers have Mobiles...but I think a Hopon Hop off tour would suit you more ...try visiting http://www.ttdconline.com/tourdetails.aspx?tourid=62to know more about the same or try this link

Quote:

Originally Posted by larabe

Hi Nick, You are right (good guess!). I am attending for a business trip so work will pay my accommodation (lucky me!) but I will need to pay my own personal transport. I was thinking that because I was only doing 3 -4 trips each day spread out throughout the day (I plan to try to walk around the various areas to get more of a sense of the place rather than spend my day getting in and out of a car) that autos would be better but maybe a call taxi is a better option. Any thoughts on the call Taxi fares for these trips or do you suggest hiring a car with a driver each day and calling them for my various pick ups (I assume that they all carry a mobile).
Thanks for your advice.

Nick-H · Aug 31st, 2009, 20:25

The Hop-on-Hop-off tour would be a great way of getting an introduction to the city. I would not suggest using the ordinary public buses. Getting about any city in the world by bus is difficult if you do not know the city, the routes, the landmarks.

We do not have taxis that you can stop on the street; you have to book them an hour or so in advance --- although it is not impossible to get one at short notice. Autos are ideal for the complete freedom to be driven some way, walk some distance, take from somewhere else, although you can call your driver to where-ever you have walked to, assuming that you know where it is, and can make him understand.

ISN · Aug 31st, 2009, 23:49

Another option is to use the Call Taxi’s they may be little expensive than auto’s but you can get a air-condition ride.

Fast Track is a popular call taxi in Chennai http://www.fasttrackcalltaxi.in/

Nick-H · Sep 1st, 2009, 00:17

Another option?

See post #2!

larabe · Sep 1st, 2009, 07:58

Thanks all, sounds like Fast track may be the best ofr outbound trips from my hotel. Moving around the city unplanned I'll try my luck with the autos and worst case call a taxi.

Thanks for your assistance.

bsprasad · Sep 1st, 2009, 13:12

Will you be going around alone or with a group of people...?

Let me know and based on that I will tell you one more idea..

Regards

B.S.Prasad

larabe · Sep 1st, 2009, 13:26

A bit of both. Largely travelling on my own but will meet up with some fellow travelers for part. What do you suggest?

bsprasad · Sep 1st, 2009, 15:06

I am thinking, Why not a Bike...?

If you are largely traveling on your own, then why not a Bike...? You can hire a Bike and enjoy chennai. Its the most easiest way to get around the city....

I am also little skeptical on the Bike Idea as you may have to be a little familiar with the roads before kick starting your road trip in Bike...

Just a thought....Lets ponder over it and then decide....

Yuri_S · Sep 3rd, 2009, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsprasad

I am thinking, Why not a Bike...?

It's a shortest way to a grave here.

Yuri_S · Sep 3rd, 2009, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by larabe

A bit of both. Largely travelling on my own but will meet up with some fellow travelers for part. What do you suggest?

A GPS, and an 'Eicher' city map (buy one at 'Landmark' or 'Higginbothams').

ISN · Sep 4th, 2009, 03:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yuri_S

It's a shortest way to a grave here.

I second that opinion, if you are a foreigner and if you have never traveled in Chennai then don’t even think about a bike.

Aug 31st, 2009, 10:12	#1
larabe Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 4	Chennai Auto & Taxi Fares Hi all, Thank you everyone for lots of very useful information that I have already found in what was already posted. I'm visiting Chennai next month and will only be there for a few days. I have pretty much planned out what I want to do (thank you all!)and whilst I realise that I will need to negotiate for autos, I was hoping that someone may be able to give me an idication of what fare I should expect to pay (so I'll know exactly how much I'm being ripped off ). Trips I am planning are: GST Rd to Mylapore GST Rd to Spencer Plaza GST Rd to Stirling St Stirling St to T Nagar GST Rd to Parry's Corner GST Rd to Elliots Beach (can you suggest a land mark to head for) GST Rd to Marina Beach (can you suggest a land mark to head for) No Prizes for guess what street the hotel I'm staying at is on! Thanks for your assistance.

Aug 31st, 2009, 23:49	#6
ISN Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Minnesota, USA / Chennai, India Posts: 627	Another option is to use the Call Taxi’s they may be little expensive than auto’s but you can get a air-condition ride. Fast Track is a popular call taxi in Chennai http://www.fasttrackcalltaxi.in/ __________________ Indian Students Network http://www.IndianStudentsNetwork.com

Sep 1st, 2009, 07:58	#8
larabe Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 4	Thank you Thanks all, sounds like Fast track may be the best ofr outbound trips from my hotel. Moving around the city unplanned I'll try my luck with the autos and worst case call a taxi. Thanks for your assistance.

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Aug 31st, 2009, 15:35	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	Hmmm... If your budget is fairly high then I suppose it must be Le Royal Meridien, but otherwise, the Grand Southern Trunk Road, as its name suggests, is far too long for anyone to take a guess! Auto fares have shot up since I used to use them, and whenever I suggest what I think is right, my wife, who does use them when I am not driving her, tells me I am saying far too little, so I won't try. Added to this, taking an auto from the gate of a large hotel adds a large amount to the fare. There is no "fare" --- they are out to get as much as they can. These days, given the way that auto drivers charge, call taxis have become more economical, and have added comfort and safety. Mrs N pays Rs400 for 4 hours, max 40km package. A visitor, especially when departing or dropping at a big hotel, could easily pay 400 just for a couple of auto rides. Call an outside company, like Fasttrack. You can ask the hotel, I'm sure they would supply a car, but it is likely to be much more expensive. Remember to specify if you need an English-speaking driver.

Aug 31st, 2009, 17:32	#3
larabe Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 4	Hi Nick, You are right (good guess!). I am attending for a business trip so work will pay my accommodation (lucky me!) but I will need to pay my own personal transport. I was thinking that because I was only doing 3 -4 trips each day spread out throughout the day (I plan to try to walk around the various areas to get more of a sense of the place rather than spend my day getting in and out of a car) that autos would be better but maybe a call taxi is a better option. Any thoughts on the call Taxi fares for these trips or do you suggest hiring a car with a driver each day and calling them for my various pick ups (I assume that they all carry a mobile). Thanks for your advice.

Aug 31st, 2009, 20:25	#5
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	The Hop-on-Hop-off tour would be a great way of getting an introduction to the city. I would not suggest using the ordinary public buses. Getting about any city in the world by bus is difficult if you do not know the city, the routes, the landmarks. We do not have taxis that you can stop on the street; you have to book them an hour or so in advance --- although it is not impossible to get one at short notice. Autos are ideal for the complete freedom to be driven some way, walk some distance, take from somewhere else, although you can call your driver to where-ever you have walked to, assuming that you know where it is, and can make him understand.

Sep 1st, 2009, 00:17	#7
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,225	Another option? See post #2!

Sep 1st, 2009, 13:12	#9
bsprasad Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 468	Will you be going around alone or with a group of people...? Let me know and based on that I will tell you one more idea.. Regards B.S.Prasad

Sep 1st, 2009, 13:26	#10
larabe Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 4	A bit of both. Largely travelling on my own but will meet up with some fellow travelers for part. What do you suggest?

Sep 1st, 2009, 15:06	#11
bsprasad Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 468	I am thinking, Why not a Bike...? If you are largely traveling on your own, then why not a Bike...? You can hire a Bike and enjoy chennai. Its the most easiest way to get around the city.... I am also little skeptical on the Bike Idea as you may have to be a little familiar with the roads before kick starting your road trip in Bike... Just a thought....Lets ponder over it and then decide....