How much should a transfer from the airport to Pahar Ganj be?

Iestyn

Am booking a hotel in Delhi for my first few nights as I want to have transfers sorted just to avoid the initial hassle. They're quoting me 300rp per person, which seems a lot when the four of us could easily share a taxi as we won't have much luggage. Its also more than the guidebooks suggest, but I'm aware that these things change.

I'm not a traveller whose desperate to always get the very best deal or penny-pinch but don't want to pay over the odds. Can anyone tell me if 300rp per person is reasonable?

It just doesn't make sense to me as they say on their website it would be 300rp per person if only two of us, but there would still be one car in that situation!

Thanks.

capt_mahajan

The fare for a full taxi should be about 300/350. Yes, that means upto 4 passengers with not much luggage. Look for a taxi with a luggage carrier on the roof.

Maybe you should read this thread too
http://www.indiamike.com/india/scams...-hotel-t42552/

shashank.aggarwal

The prepaid Taxi will not cost you more that Rs.250..

the more Plush, Radio Taxi, with air conditioner, a boot for reasonable luggage and four passengers..would be Less than Rs.250 if it is called...and Rs.300-350 from the pre-paid counter at the airport..

The above rates are entire cab..!! I seriously doubt the credential of hotel now and even if the room would be worth the money they charge..

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dhans

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incitatus

Last year from my hotel in Paharganj to the airport cost Rs250 for myself alone -and it was a 'people carrier' which turned up.It could easily have accommodated 5 or 6 other people.

Coming from the airport I usually take the EATS bus which was Rs50 per head last year.(plus Rs 10 for large luggage but I've never been asked.)
There's also a DTC (Delhi Transport Corp) bus for the same price.
Both these services run all night however both drop you at the Ajmeri Gate side of New Delhi railway station so you have to walk through the station to get to Main Bazaar.
The EATS bus also drops off en-route if you're staying at The YMCA in Jai Singh Road for example.
(which is a good place to stay for India first timers but is twice the price of many Paharganj places)

Rs300 per head for a taxi looks like severe overcharging but if someone is specifically meeting you with the card with your name on then it's always going to be more expensive.

Bex

Gee - the hotel we are looking at staying at quoted 400 rps to pick us up - theres 2 of us. (i understand the driver would have to drive to the airport, wait for us, drive back, so not too bad).

What about Namaste tours?? I remember they offered a pick up service??

Iestyn

I understand that having someone meet us with card etc. will cost more than a taxi, and am happy with that, the whole point is to avoid hassle. And as I say I'm not (and I don't want to get into a debate on this here) desperate to feel I've got the best price possible.

But I was happy to pay 600 for the 4 of us, which seems twice the price of a taxi, maybe even more than that, but 1200 for the 4 of us just seems way over the odds.

Thanks, for your responses, I'm not going to pay that price, am looking into booking another hotel. The hotel btw was http://www.hotelrakinternational.com/
recommended in the Rough Guide (possibly now last edition), but looks ok, room price seem fair. By e-mail just no-interest in negotiating the pickup price, which seemed odd. I guess I'll just get a taxi unless I find another hotel, but tales like the link by Capt. Mahajan are the very reason I fancied a pickup in the first place.

Thanks,

Iestyn.

vishal datta

I suggest once you land up in DELHI, please approach the Pre-paid taxi counter only run by the govt,located just outside the arrival lounge. On the way to the Pre-paid taxi counter you shall come across various counter run by private operators but please do not pay an heed to them. The charges by the pre-paid taxi counter are quite reasonable. They issue you with a receipt on the spot for the amount paid by you and you are supposed to handover this receipt to the driver only at destination.

If you have bulky baggage, try to find out either an AMBASSADOR taxi or a MARUTI van. These vehicles have a lot of space in the boot and have carriers on top of them as well. If the vehicle breaks down they put you up in another taxi without any extra charges.

You may find local taxi operators who are not a part of the pre-paid taxi service. These people are not trustworthy. If their vehicle breaksdown they do not transfer you to another taxi. Security wise a BIG NO to these operators.

Happy Journey.

Cheers

Vish

incitatus

Smyle Inn charges Rs420 for airport taxi for up to 4 people

http://www.smyleinn.com/

The accommodation gets variable reports but would be acceptable for a couple of nights and has a 24 hr check out system.

wonderwomanusa

I've used Namaste India and found them very good; I don't know if the price on their website is for one person or the entire car, but it's worth contacting them to ask:

http://www.namasteindiatours.com/Del...rtTransfer.htm

capt_mahajan

For a pickup to Pahargunj, I would consider 4/500 rupees for a full taxi not unreasonable, though 500 is a little on the higher side.

Leaves some profit for the hotel in that, too.

steven_ber

Are you sure the hotel and yourself are discussing exactly the same thing by e-mail?

I've no experience of that hotel, but enough experience of misunderstandings in conversations of this type.

The hotel may be saying 300 per person, but meaning 300 per taxi.

If there was a misunderstanding in the beginning, this would all make sense, there is no way a hotel could come down from 300 per taxi, but refusing to negotiate from 1200 seems strange as there would be loads of room for profit even if they come down to 800.

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maltabella

Pre paid taxi is absolutely the best option because you won't find anywhere a lower price and because it seems absolutely safe: leaving the terminal you will be requested by the police to show your passport and to declare your destination which will be written on the receipt. So thet they know who you are, where you wanna go and by which taxi...
have a nice time,
max

Iestyn

Hi Steven, I wondered the same thing, but have reviewed e-mails and there is no room for confusion. I see the point on the prepaid, but just know I would go to the wrong counter. Have now booked a different hotel as I do fancy a pickup for quiet life. 500 rupees for the pickup, much more like it! Thanks everyone.

kidsan

i think that's a good call iestyn (cymraeg?)as it is all too easy to fall into the hands of the scammers! One tip though, is to look out for the delhi police pre-pay counter so that you know for next time!