Innova price for Rajasthan (8 nights) too high?

dhee123

Hello fellow members,

Can you please comment on the cost of 560 USD for a Toyota Innova (A/C) the following 8night itinerary for Agra/Ranthambhore/Jaipur/Udaipur(with Ranakpur)? Price is inclusive of taxes, tolls, insurance...apparently states no hidden fees.

Is it reasonable or too high?

What would be reasonable? I have another quote for 500 USD also.

DAY 1 (1 night in Agra)
Arrive at Delhi airport early morning
Drive to Agra – arrive in Agra by 9am
See Fatehpur Sikri
See Taj Mahal

DAY 2 (1 night at Ranthambhore)
Depart early morning drive to Ranthambhore

DAY 3,4,5 (3 nights in Jaipur)
Depart for Jaipur
Sightsee Jaipur

DAY 6 (3 nigths in Udaipur)
Depart for Udaipur
Relax in Udaipur

Day 7
Day trip to Ranakpur

Day 8
Udaipur sightseeing

DAY 9
Depart early morning (8am) by plane for Bombay

steven_ber

Does the price include interstate tax? (There is a substantial charge for crossing the state border, Delhi-Uttar Pradesh-Rajasthan)

Not what you asked for, but here goes.

You seem to be hitting the ground running, you must be leaving Delhi at about 5 in the morning, I'd guess just after your plane arrives, sounds tiring.

You'll have little time at Ranthambhore (is it open again?), tiger sightings are hit & miss, with a lot more misses.

The train options for this route are excellent, a couple of overnight trains (Ranthambhore - Udaipur, and Udaipur - Jaipur) would not only give you more time in your chosen cities, but would save loads of money and allow a substantial upgrade in your accommodation options.

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dhee123

Hi Steven_ber,

I've seen so many of your postings here and on Fodors - I'm honored that you replied to little ole me

To answer your question, yes the interstate taxes are included in the quote. This is the exact quote from the email that I have with the rate for whats included:

"This quote includes all Toll Taxes, Interstate Taxes, Interstate Tax, Fuel Charge, Parking Fees and 4.2% Government Services Taxes). NO ANY HIDDEN CHARGES."

I have considered the overnight train and had actually reserved the train from Jaipur to Udaipur, but in the end I think leaving early in the morning for Udaipur by car will be a better option for us...too many details to explain why.

About your question on hitting the ground running and heading to Agra - yes, I don't want to linger much in Delhi. We should be out of customs by 5am at the latest, so I just want to get going and see major sites as we are a bit tight on time.

Thanks for any input you have on the car and driver rate. I have asked the companies whether this includes full access to the driver. It does till Jaipur, then its 10-hrs/day for our time in Udaipur. I have also asked if this includes insurance and driver supplement and I've heard yes back. Anything I'm missing??

Oh and Ranthambhore - yes I beleive its open...er..otherwise I'm not sure why Dev Vilas (my hotel) would have reserved a safari for us. I realize we won't be able to get in on time to do a safari on Day 2, but we have one scheduled for Day 3 morning before leaving for Jaipur. I figure it'll be hit or miss even if we were there for longer...so we'll take our chances with 1 safari.

Thanks very much!

jyotirmoy

I agree with Stevans. Do find out the hidden expenses. Why do you want to pre-book? Always inspect the vehicle, have a word with the driver. You will have a lot of inconvinience if the driver can't speak English.
Spend only one day in Jaipur, it is enough. I suggest a day in Delhi to relax and also to visit some places in Delhi, plenty to choose from. From Agra you can drive to Bharatpur & spend the night there. Next day early morning you can visit the bird sanctuary.

steven_ber

Sorry, I really cant help with car charges, the confuse the hell out of me.

Just 2 things to add....

As jyotirmoy says, you must make sure you can communicate with the driver, you're going to be together for a long time, a good relationship will benifit both of you, he'll keep the touts away from you and stop the car wherever and whenever you want (a big plus point for car travel), and you'll make his job enjoyable and tip him well.

If you're not very happy with the driver, don't leave Delhi with him, don't worry about the time of day, the company can have another driver to you very quickly.

Now this may seem like a weird suggestion........

When in Jaipur, take an hour to tour the train station, buy a platform ticket and go for a walk along the platforms, have a chai, have a look around, it's a wonderful experience and one you won't regret, an Indian train station is a living thing, life just carries on no matter what else is happening in the world.

lavneetgyani

I would say 400-500 is about right for a "Good" and relatively new vehicle with a presentable & english speaking driver. I think a rickity innova with a not so clean driver could easily ruin your trip. please emphasise on these points and reserve the right to refuse a vehicle you do not like.
Cheers

dhans

We rented a big sturdy Chevrolet car in Jodphur via the owner of the guesthouse where we were staying. His prices were definitely below those of the two travel agencies I visited. The car was brand-new and we paid around 400 euros for 10 days including everything (unlimited mileage, parking, driver fee and taxes for Uttar Pradesh and Delhi (which are a hefty 55 euros for 4 days)).

560 dollars for 8 days seems a bit high. You'll get a better price if you look around, but that's not really an option if you arrive in the night and go straight to agra. Count at least an hour and a half to clear the airport and 4/5 hours to Agra.

Don't try to cram in Fatehpur Sikri in day one, but spend that time on the Taj Mahal and the red Fort in Agra. You'll be knackered anyhow after the flight. Add Kumbalgarh to the Ranakpur trip.

Hans

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ranjan154

About the pricing 560 USD is bit high but i must say not much. You should certainly be asking for english speaking driver, that will help you a lot. As steve said, he can keep the touts away and you will be able enjoy your trip..

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crvlvr

Paid Rs 18,000 (converted to $382)for a Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Agra/Fatehepur Sikri for Innova with driver. Costs in India tend to go up by 20% each year. Your driver will make or break the trip for you. I would gladly pay and extra 10% for a driver who spoke english (I am assuming you don't speak hindi) and had a good attitude.

dhee123

CRVLVR,

When did you go? What year? you mentioned that prices go up by 20% but i'm not sure when you got the quote of $382.

Thanks all for your insights. I will consider removing Fatehpur Sikri and adding Kumbalgarh as Hans suggested.

I will ask about the car itself and try my best (as best possible when reserving from abroad) to get a good driver.

Any other tips appreciated.

Thanks!

rajuindia

This is good price, you should keep continue with them, 10 or 20 usd doesn't make any diffrence the most important thing is that you are traveling in very good , comfortable, strong car it is better then any other car in this segment.
Most of the drivers who drive this car specially with western tourist they speak basic English.
So without any doubt you should keep continue.
Wish you all the best.
RajuIndia........

anubisgrau

i think you were quoted a very reasonable price.

considering you are not doing a round trip (i.e. you are starting car trip in delhi and ending in udaipur), i thought it would be maybe cheaper to rent a car whenever you need to change your base, but it seems not.

i developed this idea having in mind you will be in three days in jaipur and udaipur each and for this if you have your driver on stand by it would be similar as if you are making 100km or so per day.

innova is usually around 9rp/km. double for a drop ride - 18rp or 0.42$ per km.


so, delhi agra is 200km, but the standard price for this in innova inc all the sightseeing is 2100rp or 50$.

agra ranthambore 265km = 115$, you won't need a car for any sightseeing as savai madhopur is trash and national park you can enter only authorized vehicles only. for this leg i would take care that i have a car with national permit so you dont pay interstate toll.

ranthambore - jaipur 120km = 50$, btw this is btw very enjoyable 3h train ride, there is a number of direct trains and you won't need any pre-reservation, just buy a 2nd class ticket for 50rp and go to any wagon you like and negotiate with a controller for a supplement charge.

jaipur sightseeing you should be able to do it for 1200rp = 30$ x 2 days if needed (not for me if you are ready until 9am) = 60$

jaipur udaipur 420 km = 180$

udaipur sightseeing - 1200rp = 30$, one day car rental is enough, the second day you do a walk around palaces and lake

udaipur airport transfer 10$.

so my calculation comes up to 495$ - considering a minor hassle of arranging a car in every new city i reckon it is worth of having it booked straight away for a peace of mind.

btw i have 2 decent drivers to recommend - one in jaipur and one in udaipur, both available for any location in rajasthan, while a jaipur one (raju, also recommended by other IM people here) frequently goes to delhi with his clients so it might be convenient for him to pick you up.

cheers gordan