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Car/Driver hire

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Bangalore, Mumbai, Gujurat, Rajistan: I am looking to change drivers, as I travel north to keep down costs.
12 years ago, October 6th 2011 No: 1 Msg: #144572  
B Posts: 19
The more I search on the net the more horror stories I find about dodgy drivers and travel agents in India. Reply to this

12 years ago, October 12th 2011 No: 2 Msg: #144953  
In India one must see place like Kerala.
Kerala is one of the most beautiful regions of India, and certainly the most laid-back and easiest to travel around, without losing any of the exoticism and vibrancy that makes India unique. Located in the far southwest of India, Kerala is the ideal place to slow the travel pace.
Here are the top reasons why I think kerala is such a wonderful place to visit;
1) Diversity of Attractions – Where else can you indulge in a range of activities such as floating on a houseboat in the tranquil, lush green backwaters; relaxing on tropical beaches; spotting elephants and tigers in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary; practising yoga in an ashram; ancient ayurveda to restore balance; or hiking in the cool mountains and tea plantations.
2) The Backwaters – Cruising through the kerala’s emerald magical backwaters, an interconnecting system of rivers, canals and lagoons is one of the most relaxing experiences on earth. All worries disappear as you watch the world go by in this stunning unspoiled environment from the luxurious comfort of your own floating house.
3) Fantastic Homestays – There are plenty of opportunities to stay with Keralian families and really experience the traditional village life you see drifting by. Keralian people are incredibly laid-back, friendly and welcoming. Nothing beats some of the finest home-cooked food in India and the chance to meet the locals.
4) Delicious Food – Keralan food is gorgeous, using plenty of fresh vegetables, exotic fruit, and locally-grown aromatic spices . The most delicious and authentic feast is the sadya – dozens of different dishes served up on a banana leaf, and eaten with the fingers. It’s fantastic for vegetarians, but there’s plenty of fresh fish too for the more carnivorous among you.

So I hope it will be your destination for your India trip.You can choose any tour operator.If you feel that as a costly affair,you can go for rent a taxi with driver.
For more information contact me as<snip>
[Edited: 2011 Oct 12 13:30 - Mell:49612 - No email addresses on the forums please. 😊]
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12 years ago, October 14th 2011 No: 3 Msg: #145160  
Hello Atts 😊

The Lonely Planet guide for India has quite a few warnings and advice about hiring drivers in India. Apparently, if you don't set down severe guide lines with their company before heading out, they can be real pains. Things like dictating to you where you go and when you stop and start. And, apparently they do things like pester the hotels you stay at for weeks, maybe months after, for comission they are not owed.

I personally would prefer to just take trains or busses. Dealing with those drivers does not seem worth the trouble.

But, maybe one option is to try to find a driver with a good reputation. Likely a minority of them do exist, who could be recommended by a number of genuine travellers and backpackers. Maybe try trawling through the blogs about India, to see if there is anything. Or maybe this thread will still get some more replies.

Mel Reply to this

12 years ago, October 15th 2011 No: 4 Msg: #145199  
B Posts: 19
Cheers Mel Reply to this

9 years ago, November 3rd 2014 No: 5 Msg: #186602  
I too have heard several horror stories about sketchy drivers. However, luckily I avoided those kind of situations during my travels throughout SE Asia. I was traveling to China a lot for business and then started to expand throughout SE Asia. After having a few bad experiences with drivers, a friend introduced me to Asia Car Service/China Car Service. They are a private transportation company with English speaking drivers. Their customer service was also excellent and always there for me if I needed to call for any questions. Whenever I go back to Asia, I pre-book with them because of their reliability. Hope this helps if you guys ever find yourself needing this type of service. Cheers! Reply to this

9 years ago, February 17th 2015 No: 6 Msg: #188748  
Southern part of India is quite safe; I've been travelling in cab, taxi and so far, I didn't find any shabby drivers or agents. If booked under the right agent, your trip will be just more than fun. Reply to this

9 years ago, April 1st 2015 No: 7 Msg: #189720  
Hi,

Every trip I've made to India (10+) has involved the use of car and driver for at least a week. Independantly booking just this via on-line sites I've found to be not a great option, obviously it's a bit more risky (will they show up? !) plus in every case I have found them to be too expensive.

My strategy is always to source the facility through the place I'm staying at. This is arranged easily through email, and as the hotel has sourced me the facility they tend to use people they know and the whole thing goes a lot smoother. Plus, to a degree, it's in the hotels interest to ensure it all goes ok.

The price of this is generally around $30 per day (sometimes less) for 8 hours and pretty much unlimited mileage. On occasions I've wondered just how much profit is being made as I have done some pretty lengthy excursions at times (300 miles+!)

-Kevin.
<snip>
[Edited: 2015 Apr 02 10:47 - traveltalesofawoollymammoth:258356 - No URL addresses please]
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8 years ago, April 21st 2015 No: 8 Msg: #190297  
I don't agree with you Kevin. I have been using online sites and apps to book cabs for my destination. The apps work fast and you can't blame India for not getting the cab via online help. I use Uber and OLA and so far, I got thier services on time. Reply to this

8 years ago, June 11th 2015 No: 9 Msg: #191328  
You want to travel across India by road by hiring a taxi, it will be very much costly as well as very tiring i am not agree with you on this point, to travel these places which you have listed above than you can travel through train or you can buy some tour package. Reply to this

8 years ago, September 7th 2015 No: 10 Msg: #192943  
N Posts: 2
Hello to all,

My name is Henry and I just got back from 'India / Nepal after a 3-week trip.Before leaving I suggested to rent a car and driver to speed up some shifts giving me the chance to see as many places as possible. I came across this board and as some previous travelers have requested quotes and travel itineraries to many drivers and agencies, I finally chose ,, after a careful selection of responses and suggestions to me information:

RANJEED
<snip>

My opinion of Ranjeed is quite positive for a number of practical issues and not that I want to illustrate.

1- machine clean and comfortable
2- Driving style and impeccable calm (important not to faint at ach overtaking)
3- In-depth knowledge of the highways and byways, helpful to jump quickly jams that can last hours.
4- Punctuality German for arrival and pick up.
5- Tips and our planning.
6- No attempt to bring in shops or hotels known to him or "known" if not on our specific request (for inquiries concerning Qantar shopping Ranjeed brought us, at our request, directly in the factories of fabrics and china where you have the best choice for price, quality and colors without being assliti from the classics and shopkeepers with possibilities to send parcels to not add weight to the pack.) - NOT 'A COMMISSION MAN -----
7- Maximum kindness and Availability for all the little problems you may reveal while traveling: Internet, calls to hotels, street scams, etc.
8- From connoisseur of triangle gold gave us valuable advice and drove to places much less touristy and very charming, typical of Indian culture.

After arriving in Agra in order to continue to Varanasi Ranjeed he advised us not to go with the car (20 hours driving with potholed roads that make it impossible to even sleep in the car) but taking the train made him not turn. Ha tickets for us given the difficulties that we have to make the tickets online in India. Precisely at the same price of the railway company. Choice that turned out to be wiser and better for us but definitely less profiqua for him that he lost a few days of work.
Trust his suggestions, Ranjeed not think only of money.

Arrived in Varanasi Ranjeed arranged for us a trip with driver two days through Lumbini.
Anchein this case car and driver impeccable.
Kindness and constant care and great giudatore.

I can only recommend it highly more than a person who is a driver turned out to be a friend with whom to laugh and joke without ever being intrusive.

Good trip and good fun

Enrico

[Edited: 2015 Sep 07 15:04 - traveltalesofawoollymammoth:258356 - No URL addresses or contact details please]
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7 years ago, February 19th 2017 No: 11 Msg: #199768  
In response to: Msg #144572 I do not agree with you. There are many professional car rental service providers present in India. For assistance visit.cabx. There you can find the details of trustworthy and professional cab operators like Ali Cool CabTaxi Guru and many more.
[Edited: 2017 Apr 03 08:49 - Rat on the Road:23681 - URLS removed]
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7 years ago, February 20th 2017 No: 12 Msg: #199782  
</a>I don't agree with you Kevin. I have been using online sites and apps to book cabs for my destination. I got thier services on time. There are many professional car rental service providers present in India. For assistance visit punemumbaicarrental. There you can find the details of trustworthy and professional cab operators like Taxi For Pune and many more.
[Edited: 2017 Apr 03 08:48 - Rat on the Road:23681 - URLS removed]
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7 years ago, March 15th 2017 No: 13 Msg: #200088  
Himachal Tour Packages

India Tours And Taxi Services Is A Travel Agency In Delhi Provide Himachal Travel Packages, Shimla Kullu Manali Honeymoon Package Include Budget And Luxury Hotels With Safe And Relable Driver Car for Hill Station Sightseen Up to Snow Point <snip>
[Edited: 2017 Mar 15 07:51 - traveltalesofawoollymammoth:258356 - No URL's allowed]
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7 years ago, March 17th 2017 No: 14 Msg: #200113  
Luxury Mercedes S Class Rental Cars

Narain Tourist Luxury car Rentals company dedicated to present our shoppers with their car rental desires and going on top of and on the far side creating their rental expertise distinctive. Reply to this

7 years ago, April 13th 2017 No: 15 Msg: #200558  
Hi Atts Car Rental is best service for a tour firstly it will be comfort as per your requirement in car rental you can visit to all the good places of city with your time taken there will no hurry about any thing and you can take your time and can enjoy the trip Reply to this

6 years ago, April 5th 2018 No: 16 Msg: #204482  
For me www.savaari.com worked perfectly. Hassle free booking with call center assistance and transparency in billing. To add it all, they offered better rates compared to local cabs booking Reply to this

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