Taxi for the day

Boyabouttown

My plan to discover Mumbai for the two and a half days that i shall be there next year was to hire a cab for the days as I have done in India and other parts of the world.

Just been reading a thread where Aadil (who seems to know his way around Mumbai although I hope he's wrong about pre-paid taxis at the domestic airport) advises one to walk as parking may be difficult. I gather that means that hiring a car for the day isnt an impossible way to travel, as we want to cram a lot in and with two young kids, walking isnt really feasible.

Any day how much it will cost us for the day..we will be based in Colaba

Thanks

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Boyabouttown

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aadil

Well, there are taxis available at the domestic airport just that there is no pre-paid counter where you can pay the amount in advance and get a receipt for the same. The policeman will take down the taxi registration number and your name and address for safety reasons in case someone files a complaint later on. The rates from the airport are not more than the actual fare as in the case of the pre-paid taxis from the International airport. Here you pay according to the meter and then read the corresponding fare from the tariff card. The only problem here is that the driver can rip you off by taking you through a longer route than if it were a pre-paid taxi.

About walking in Mumbai I was refering to walking in the Fort area where is is very nice to see the old heritage buildings and not everywhere in Mumbai. Also I advise to take individual taxi's everytime you want to travel somewhere instead of keeping a car waiting all the time and also time wasted in finding a place to park the car. There is no shortage of taxis in Mumbai and it is not required to call for one on the telephone like in some places.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Aadil.

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raos

Don't know about rates in Mumbai, but we often rented a taxi for the day in Delhi, as well as other places like Jaipur. The cost in Delhi for an 8-hr block was 500-550 Rs (it was a local place not used by Western tourists).

If you have two kids, you also don't want to be shlepping around trying to find a different taxi every time (we had a 2-year old). If you've got a lot of stuff to carry, you can leave it in the taxi. Also, I wouldn;t want to deal with haggling the amount several times a day, though it's possible Mumbai's taxi's have to use the meter.

Anyway, I think there are lots of good reasons to rent a taxi by the day, esp if you know you'll be going to a lot of places. I can't imagine you'd save more than a few (U.S.) dollars hiring a taxi individually each place you go.

aadil

If you are more than four passengers in the taxi then you would be better off hiring a car which can take the additional number of passengers without a problem as the taxi can only take four adults besides the driver and maybe an extra kid at the most. Mumbai taxis always use the meter and conversion tariff card for the final fare you pay. Always ensure that the meter is flagged down in front of you when you hire one.

Cheers,
Aadil.

GoanCanuck

Agreed. For a family visiting a new city for the first time, it would be better to hire a car/taxi for the whole day after verifying the trustworthiness of the driver.

Boyabouttown

there will be 5 adults and 2 children in our party so where does one hire a car plus driver for the day and Im still not sure what the price should be.

Any one able to clarify ?

aadil

Your hotel should be able to make a booking or atleast give you an estimate or else you could try any of the local car hiring agencies for a day trip estimate which could be roughly about Rs800 to 1200 depending on the type of vehicle and whether it is airconditioned or not. Could be slightly more if it is for more hours than the normal day charge.

Cheers,
Aadil.

Alpha- icon

For FIVE adults and TWO kids to move together aound the city, it is best you rent a minivan such as a Toyoto Qualis or GM Traveller; they all come with a Driver. This would cost you around Rs1000-1200 per day for 80 kms (50 miles) and 8 hours. Excess mileage would probably be about Rs8 per km plus some charge per hour for rental. This is still a better bet than hiring the city cabs which can accommodate only four adults; hence you will need to hire two every time for yourselves. Private cars for rent are available with several operators; details with your hotel or most travel agencies. some of which are located in Colaba area.

Boyabouttown

thats really helpful Alpha any idea where we will be able to hire this from...we're planning to stay at the Sea Palace Hotel but I dont think they will have such a facility.

thanks

AvidTrekker

Almost all Hotels have some car/van hire company attached. They may be outsiders but do regular business with the hotel guests. Ask your Hotel for the referral.

Current rate is around 7 rs to 9 rs per km for aircon Qualis van. You have to pay for min 200 km per day even if you park it all day.

Some aircon vehicles are available for the 8 or 80 formula. For around 1000 rs they will come for max 8 hours and 80 km for the day... which is quite enuff for travelling around the city in most cases. Excess hours and km will be extra.

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john.sw

The taxis in Mumbai are tiny little tin cans - so small that getting in and out is a pain, and I can't even see out of the windscreen because my head is pushing against the roof!

Hire a Toyota Qualis - they have up to 7 seats and because they are high, have a great viewing position.

For short trips take a taxi. The fare on the meter has to be multiplied by 13 during the day, and by 16 at night, i.e. in the daytime, if the meter says Rs.3/- you pay 3 X 13 = Rs.39/-

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Alpha- icon

Akshar Enterprises in Chembur (on the other side of town from where you are) have quoted Rs.7 per km for an AC Qualis but for the day Rs1500/- for 12 hoursTel. nos. 25278799 or 25294256; cell 9224416627
Use this as a guide line since most private cab operators charge the mileage when the car leaves the depot. in your case about 15 kms away.
Your hotel should help but these are slightly more expensive.
Another option is to strike a deal with the blue coloured AC cabs. Since they seat four, you would hire two of them but then there would be an option for some of your party members to go elsewhere if the situation arises. These blue cloured cabs should be available outside your hotel.

nykita

Let me tell you, it is a lot easier to muscle yourself in and out of traffic in a bigger vehicle. I spend a lot of time in traffic and my drive is different depending on which of our cars I'm in. The 1.5 hour trip in our small car is about 1 hour in the big one. Plus, it's important to have seat belts for everyone and the whole safety issue of a bigger car. Mumbai is just too much for people without having a few comforts - I consider having a car and driver one of such comforts! Let me know if there is anything else you need...and enjoy the city. It will bring you great sorrow and great joy, usually at the same moment. Oh, and don't give money to the beggars!!!!!

Alpha- icon

In case of any difficulty, you may contact a travel agency to arrange car / minivan of your choice. Bathija Travels (tel 91-22-22055888 or 22011207) close to Metro cinema, about 3 kms from Colaba can help you.

Cheers and best wishes for X'mas and New Year

navinkurian2002

IF you wanna visit the kanheri cave and the national park then you would need a tourist taxi and not the normal domestic taxi's .

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