Car Rental Process: Hiring Car and Driver in India

If you are thinking about the car rental process in India, this blog will help you! Hiring a car and driver in India is a great idea if you want to get from one location to another while avoiding the chaos and confusion of the railway stations and busy roads in the country.

There are a lot of affordable commute options in India, but hiring a car makes your travels much more comfortable. In North India, you will find a lot of options, from  trains to buses. However, you may miss out on some of the most interesting sites accessible by road in public transport. With your personal car and driver, you can make a stop anywhere you like. In South India, on the other hand, hiring a car and driver is the best way to travel.

In this article, we talk about the car hiring process, the benefits of hiring a car, the cost, and the best places to consider getting a driver to show you around.

Beautiful views on the way : credit – nomad-bikers

What are the benefits of hiring a car and driver in India?

There are many ways to travel in India – you could take a train, bus, or a flight. You could also hire a car and drive yourself. Or take a tour. So why hire a car and driver in India? Well, as an independent traveler, renting a car and driver is the perfect choice for a comfortable journey.

Getting tickets and boarding crowded trains on the chaotic railway stations can get stressful. A bus or flight, as a public mode of transportation, will not cater to your individual needs. You can hire just a car and drive yourself, but we would not recommend it, since the roads in India are often not in a good condition, and road rules are not always followed. Plus, having a driver along with the car gives you more time to relax and enjoy your vacation.

Having a car and driver gives you immense flexibility. You can leave a place at any time you like and make as many unscheduled stops en-route as you want. Plus, if you have a chatty driver, it can be a great cultural experience for you. Drivers in India are usually from a lower or lower middle class background, living on the road and learning English on the job. Having conversations with them will open new doors to the country you cannot get anywhere else.

Car rental in India is very affordable. The comfort of a nice car and chauffeur, the convenience and flexibility, and the driver’s local knowledge of the region, makes touring India with a car and driver a great option. In terms of value for money, it is a good idea for a cultural Indian experience.

Stop to capture the scene (Photo Credit – chinh-le-duc)

What is the cost of hiring a car in India?

There is no standardized cost for hiring a car in India. The prices usually depend on the car vendors, the type of car, the region, and the quality of services. You can find your own vendor if you wish to, but at India Someday, we work with vendors who we can vouch for ourselves in terms of quality and service provided. We will only recommend experienced drivers who can speak English and know the region well.

Here is a ballpark estimate of the daily rate for common cars; however, do remember this is an estimated cost –

Approx INR 5200 per day for a Sedan Car. (You can fit up to 3 adults comfortably)

Approx INR 6500 per day for an SUV segment car, Toyota Innova is the most popularly used car. About 4 adults + 1 child can fit here very comfortably.

Approx INR 10000 per day for a minivan. This can fit up to 8 adults, has variants that can fit 10/12 adults too.

The Prices Include:

• A good quality air-conditioned car
• Driver services throughout your trip
• All road tolls or taxes
• Stay and meal allowance for the driver

Additional Notes

Car rental prices in Kerala are about 15% cheaper, as the driving distance between towns is shorter than most other places in India. The prices can also vary from company to company, and the prices given here are an approximation.

The rates are considering you use the car to drive you from between destinations within a region (longer driving distances). Rates for car hire for internal sightseeing within a city, day tour,  or a city tour would be cheaper.

Read on: Understanding the Financial Aspects of Travelling in India

Toyota Etios : Sedan cars mostly used in India for travels

Car Rental Process: How does hiring a car and driver work in India?

We recommend booking a car and driver before you arrive in India. Unfortunately, the process  of hiring a car and driver is not very organized in India. You can hire a car and driver through a reputable company or ‘transport agency’, which specializes in providing cars and drivers. Or, you can hire individual drivers that own personal vehicles.

It is preferable to hire an independent driver who drives his own car. His incentive to provide you with excellent service is higher as his business depends on recommendations from clients.

At India Someday, we can help you with all the bookings and car rental processes so that you don’t have to worry about it.

Would the driver speak English?

It really depends on the driver. In more touristy regions like Rajasthan and Kerala, it is easier to find an English-speaking driver. We always search for English-speaking drivers, so that they can tell you about their personal experiences and give you an insight into living in India. Plus it will help with any questions you might have.

Can the driver double up as a guide?

Unfortunately not. The drivers would rarely know enough about the towns from a historical perspective. Also, Indian culture and the history of most Indian towns is very deep-rooted, and it takes an expert to know all about it. However, they’ll most likely have their own tales surrounding places and monuments. If you meet a chatty driver you’re in for a treat!

Here is a blog giving you more information on guides in India.

Can we ask the driver to take us anywhere we want at any time?

You can inform the driver a day in advance of your plans (if you have a rough idea). However, if you have any location you want to visit in other cities, you would have to inform your agent, as there will be an additional charge for the same since you will be covering additional kilometers than the city limits.

Are the costs of the driver’s accommodation and food included?

You will have the car at your disposal throughout your trip and won’t have to pay anything extra for the driver’s food or accommodation, fuel, toll, or any taxes. All these aspects are covered in your overall cost.

How much do we tip the driver?

It is highly recommended to tip your driver at the end of the tour. However, there is no hard and fast rule on how much you have to give the driver, it is at your discretion. It usually varies from INR 100 to INR 200. But just to give you an idea, here is a link to advice for tipping in India.

Can India Someday help us with the car rental process in India?

Yes! Depending on which regions in India you are visiting, we can always help you find a trusted, excellent driver and car hire. Contact us for more information.

Things to keep in mind

• The condition of roads in a lot of cities in India is poor and vehicles can take longer to reach your destination than the estimated time. It will be helpful to take this into consideration while planning your trip.
• If you want to tour in comfort, it would be better if you paid extra to get more spacious vehicles.
• There is a tax that needs to be paid while crossing state borders, so check if that price is included in your total cost.
• The car will need to return to its original destination at your expense, so plan accordingly.
• Keep the contact details of your driver handy.
• The drivers are not tour guides. They will drive you from one destination to another, and can answer general questions. However, they will not accompany you to the attractions.
• Some drivers might have good recommendations for you in various cities, such as hotels for accommodation, or shops, if you want to go shopping. These could be worth checking out, although the drivers may get some commission from the owners. It is completely up to you if you want to try it out, and you can firmly decline if it doesn’t interest you.
• Your driver may invite you home to have dinner with his family as a friendly, hospitable gesture. If you feel like your driver has been helpful and trustworthy, you can accept the invitation if you wish to. However, if the driver hopes that you will give him some financial assistance, you can simply ignore the hint. Many other travelers often feel compelled to contribute something, so if you are okay with it, you can go ahead.
• If you are going on a tour of the Golden Triangle (New Delhi – Agra – Jaipur), keep in mind that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

You can never be sure if you are choosing an honest and safe driver. At India Someday, we only book car and driver services that we can vouch for. Contact us to plan the perfect tour for you in India, and we will take care of all your hotels and car rent needs.