car hire in Chennai?

dhans · Nov 11th, 2005, 12:58

Any good tips for a car hire company (or driver with car) in Chennai?

Thanks in advance,

Hans

ro-anD · Nov 11th, 2005, 13:19

Orix is a good company but their charges are rather steep. Rs 1200(or so) for half a day. But having said that- Excellent drivers, and good cars( maruti Esteem's, Hondas and the like) and they all have cell phones so its easy to track them when parking is an issue.

Else just check out the local city info magazine for other leads. There are bound to be cheaper options. You could also consider the city taxi option. Non a/c maruti vans.

Nick-H · Nov 11th, 2005, 13:36

I'm afraid that this is one of those things I delegate to my local wife-to-be!

There are indeed the 'Call Taxis'. Also there are lots of hire/tour companies. I haven't seen my business card stash since I got home after 4 months away: If I find it I'll post at least one number for you.

dhans · Nov 12th, 2005, 14:37

Thanks Nick and Ro-an,

We are actually considering to hire a car 'long term' for our holiday. After having travelled all over Asia from Holland from 1984 untill 1999 our
kids were born in 2000 and 2002. This stopped our backpacking, but now the travelinfection is hitting us hard again. So we plan to be on the road again and booked flights to Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu India for the december 2005 - januari 2006 period.

It will be our fifth time in India and our third time in the south, so it's
not a completely strange region to us. We do consider though whether it is wise to travel as we used to (bus and train) or that for 3,5 weeks hering a car and driver is a better option for us and the kids (5 and 3,5
years old).

During our earlier trips (even over X-mas) we never had real problems to book a train (tourist quota, vip quota, emergency quota, visiting sportsmen quota, have a talk with the stationmaster quota) but reading all the info on IM about the difficulties reserving trains, we are really wondering whether a catr is a better option.

So tips on longer carhire around chennai are really appreciated,

Hans

Hans & Mirjam

Nick-H · Nov 13th, 2005, 07:50

I have no idea about longer term rental. This is a company I have used a couple of times:

S.M. Tours & Travels, +91 44 2467 1004, +91 44 2466 1302, +91 944191759

sailor · Nov 13th, 2005, 13:51

We have been in internet contact with Venkatesh at http://www.tourism-southindia.com/ and have booked a car. They respond to emails quickly and the price seems fair based on Indiamike comments. The site says "our drivers are experienced, don't drink and they carry cell phones" ! We don't have kids but we do have gimpy legs so hoping the company is good.

goldenyogi · Dec 3rd, 2005, 21:39

TTDC. We rented a Tata SUV and driver from the Tamil Nadu Goverment Tourism Department and toured for 8 days. 1600 rupees per day, 200 kms per day. If we exceeded 1600 kms in 8 days, we pay 5 rupees per km. driver's lodging and food included. Our driver Venu was great.

enrica.facchielli · Jun 4th, 2007, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenyogi

TTDC. We rented a Tata SUV and driver from the Tamil Nadu Goverment Tourism Department and toured for 8 days. 1600 rupees per day, 200 kms per day. If we exceeded 1600 kms in 8 days, we pay 5 rupees per km. driver's lodging and food included. Our driver Venu was great.

Please, could you tell me how you contacted the Tamil Nadu Government Tourism Dept.? Can you remember the taxi company name?
I'm going to Tamil Nadu in two weeks and I cant find affortable solution
Thanks

Nick-H · Jun 4th, 2007, 22:15

Try this site?

There is a travels company on many a street, and all hotels will either have a desk or be able to put you in touch with such a company.You could pick a couple to check prices if that worries you.

This is one of the bigger companies, City Limouzines, Tel :+(91-44) 28213806, 28213807, 28270128, 2827 0129.

Whoever you use, you must specify that you want an English-speaking driver. The company that we used to use only gave one on the single occasion that I specified (as Tamil-speaking Mrs N was not to be there that day).

enrica.facchielli · Jun 4th, 2007, 23:29

thank you, you are right, i'd be better to ask for an english speaking driver. I'll try the one you suggested
enrica

Nov 11th, 2005, 12:58	#1
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,580	car hire in Chennai? Any good tips for a car hire company (or driver with car) in Chennai? Thanks in advance, Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Nov 11th, 2005, 13:19	#2
ro-anD Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bangalore Posts: 93	How much do you want to spend? Orix is a good company but their charges are rather steep. Rs 1200(or so) for half a day. But having said that- Excellent drivers, and good cars( maruti Esteem's, Hondas and the like) and they all have cell phones so its easy to track them when parking is an issue. Else just check out the local city info magazine for other leads. There are bound to be cheaper options. You could also consider the city taxi option. Non a/c maruti vans. __________________ --------------------------------------------------- The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight-seeing." ~Daniel J. Boorstin

Nov 11th, 2005, 13:36	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	I'm afraid that this is one of those things I delegate to my local wife-to-be! There are indeed the 'Call Taxis'. Also there are lots of hire/tour companies. I haven't seen my business card stash since I got home after 4 months away: If I find it I'll post at least one number for you. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Nov 12th, 2005, 14:37	#4
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,580	thanks and more Thanks Nick and Ro-an, We are actually considering to hire a car 'long term' for our holiday. After having travelled all over Asia from Holland from 1984 untill 1999 our kids were born in 2000 and 2002. This stopped our backpacking, but now the travelinfection is hitting us hard again. So we plan to be on the road again and booked flights to Chennai (Madras) in Tamil Nadu India for the december 2005 - januari 2006 period. It will be our fifth time in India and our third time in the south, so it's not a completely strange region to us. We do consider though whether it is wise to travel as we used to (bus and train) or that for 3,5 weeks hering a car and driver is a better option for us and the kids (5 and 3,5 years old). During our earlier trips (even over X-mas) we never had real problems to book a train (tourist quota, vip quota, emergency quota, visiting sportsmen quota, have a talk with the stationmaster quota) but reading all the info on IM about the difficulties reserving trains, we are really wondering whether a catr is a better option. So tips on longer carhire around chennai are really appreciated, Hans Hans & Mirjam

Jun 4th, 2007, 23:29	#10
enrica.facchielli Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: italy Posts: 4	thank you thank you, you are right, i'd be better to ask for an english speaking driver. I'll try the one you suggested enrica

Nov 13th, 2005, 07:50	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	I have no idea about longer term rental. This is a company I have used a couple of times: S.M. Tours & Travels, +91 44 2467 1004, +91 44 2466 1302, +91 944191759

Nov 13th, 2005, 13:51	#6
sailor Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: canada Posts: 22	We have been in internet contact with Venkatesh at http://www.tourism-southindia.com/ and have booked a car. They respond to emails quickly and the price seems fair based on Indiamike comments. The site says "our drivers are experienced, don't drink and they carry cell phones" ! We don't have kids but we do have gimpy legs so hoping the company is good.

Dec 3rd, 2005, 21:39	#7
goldenyogi Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Paris, France Posts: 27	TTDC. We rented a Tata SUV and driver from the Tamil Nadu Goverment Tourism Department and toured for 8 days. 1600 rupees per day, 200 kms per day. If we exceeded 1600 kms in 8 days, we pay 5 rupees per km. driver's lodging and food included. Our driver Venu was great.

Jun 4th, 2007, 22:15	#9
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Try this site? There is a travels company on many a street, and all hotels will either have a desk or be able to put you in touch with such a company.You could pick a couple to check prices if that worries you. This is one of the bigger companies, City Limouzines, Tel :+(91-44) 28213806, 28213807, 28270128, 2827 0129. Whoever you use, you must specify that you want an English-speaking driver. The company that we used to use only gave one on the single occasion that I specified (as Tamil-speaking Mrs N was not to be there that day).

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
hire a car in chennai	pau	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	13	Oct 16th, 2005 23:02
Which car hire company	curiouz	India Travel Itinerary Advice	7	Aug 26th, 2005 18:59
vehicle hire	anjunaangel	Goa	0	Nov 18th, 2004 13:29
Car hire from Jaipur ...	Mickey1234	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	1	Sep 29th, 2004 15:06
car hire in jodhpur	curlyces	Buses, Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Bicycles	1	Mar 26th, 2004 10:28

User Name		Remember Me?
Password