Rather than renting a car in India, it’s more likely that you would hire a car AND driver through a car rental agency such as Sixt (for longer trips) or hire a taxi (when you’re out and about in a city). In either case, there are some things you definitely need to know about the fine art of negotiating and arriving safely.
1. Start your search for a driver before you even arrive in India. Forums, such as Lonely Planet’s Thorntree, will have recommendations for drivers. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, post a question and you’re sure to receive responses from people with first-hand experience. Beware that on occasion the drivers themselves (or their family members) will post recommendations and their service may be dubious. Ask questions of both the person making the recommendation as well as the driver (some have email access).
2. Ask other travelers as well as locals what a specific ride should typically cost. This will give you an idea as to whether your potential driver is giving you a fair price. Remember to bargain as the first price that you’re provided will undoubtedly be far higher than the “real” price.
3. Hire someone who speaks English. Not only will this clear up questions about where you want to go but also what the ride will cost you.
Akhand (left) was my favorite driver in India. He spoke English and doubled as an astrologer and palm reader!
4. Be clear about what you’re paying for. While it may seem overkill to have to be so precise, there are all sorts of add-ons that could pop up if your driver is anything but honest. These include: air-conditioning, gas, lodging (if you’re on an overnight trip) and food. Your driver may also be reluctant to take you to your final destination on longer trips, opting instead to drop you off on the outskirts of a city rather than deal with traffic in an unfamiliar metropolis. This will leave you to your own devices to find a taxi that can finish the journey.
5. Before you depart, write down the agreed upon cost of the trip so there is no question about whether it is 50 rupees or 500 rupees. Without this you could end up in a very sticky situation at the end of the day.
6. If at all possible, never take a taxi by yourself. If you’re traveling on your own, find someone with whom you can share a ride. Backpacker hostels and internet cafes are places where you could post a notice for this.
7. Indian drivers are notoriously fast and the roads are terrible. Not a good mix. If you find yourself close to having a heart attack in the back seat of a taxi because of all the weaving back and forth, the hard stops and starts and the speed, simply ask your driver to slow down. Don’t be afraid to do this! Your driver may believe that it’s karmic law determining his fate but I like to believe that I have a little more control over my life.
Road travel can provide you with a really interesting perspective of India, especially when you factor in the roadside stops, cows and scenery.
While it may be all you can do to not get carsick, try to have fun. Converse with your driver: ask about his family, sightseeing recommendations and favorite foods. Getting to know the locals may very well be the best part of your adventure!
Happy Travels!
And if you’re looking for either a North or South India tour, look no further! Join one of these upcoming tours to Incredible India!
Susan says
Your tips are great, yes I got good experience in India and I followed your advice that I got some drivers recommendation to Trip Advisor form, there I found some people talking were about an Indian agency Icon India Tours and then I asked them for hire a car and driver in India and I had wonderful experience, as followed these links to hire a car and driver in India http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g297683-i1206-k2337810-Jaipur_to_Agra_to_Delhi-Agra_Uttar_Pradesh.html and http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293860-i511-k2875347-Getting_from_Amritsar_to_Jaisalmer_with_13yr_old-India.html
Thanks for your tips and really very helpful to know about Indian transport system
Cheers
Wanderluster says
Glad these tips were helpful!
Maartje says
In december 2010 my mother and I travelled trough Rajasthan for two weeks with an excellent driver whom we want to recommend to everyone looking for a reliable driver in India.
Asif Ali is a very sweet and gentle man, a safe driver and a good guide. He took us to nice restaurants and hotels on the trip and showed us all the cities and sites we wanted to see, all for the price we agreed upon, no surprises at the end. His English is fine and he arranged good guides for us at main attractions like the Taj Mahal, so that we weren’t hasseled by other guides. He organised everything akkoorden to our wishes.
He is based in Delhi and has the most experience of Rajasthan and the rest of North-Western India but he has a tourist permit for the whole of India.
His contact details are:
Asif Ali
[email protected]
+91 98-68-600659
G-8A/73, Ratiya Marg, Sangam Vihar
New Delhi- 110062
Beth says
Thanks, Maartje!
Renata Cost says
I organized my trip through intense India Tours http://www.intenseindiatours.com and I found that Mr. Anil
have been the most friendly and efficient person we have ever dealt with in organising a holiday. Anil should be teaching people how to do what you have done! It is like he was inside our minds and knew exactly what we would like.
The choice of driver, Mr Ram Lalit could not have been better if we had picked him our selves. From the moment we met him at Udaipur airport we instantly warmed to him. He had a lovely big smile and was most welcoming and friendly. We became very good friends over the next ten days after many miles of driving together. More importantly, he had a very good sense of humor which we like.
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Mr. Ram Lalit. His knowledge of local life and general history kept our interest throughout the journey. He took us to the homes of some very interesting craftsmen, something which we would never have seen had we been with a big UK tour operator. We hope we get to meet him again and shall certainly advise our friends to ask for his services if they visit India.
Again, we could never thank you enough for the experience of a lifetime that Mr. Anil http://www.intenseindiatours.com has given us. If you want to discover the real India then hire your driver through Intense India Tours. Whenever I go back I will book my trip with these guys No doubt about it.
Adele says
I booked my trip in January through http://www.drivers-india.com. I loved every minute of it. Our driver Lucky was warm and friendly and I think our trip to India would not have been so rewarding without him. We felt comfortable asking him about Indian culture and behaviour which we could have never understood otherwise. He was great fun and I really felt that we made a good friend by the end of our trip. We relied on the site to book all our accommodation and we were delighted with the value and the quality. Cannot recommend the company and Lucky highly enough: http://www.drivers-india.com.
Beth Whitman - Wanderluster says
How could you go wrong with a driver named Lucky? I love it!
Adele says
@Beth. Exactly lol
anna says
I have been to India for travel and work a few times and I always use the services of sanjayindiatours.com. The owner Sanjay is very honest and hires only drivers that speak English well, drive safely and are honest. Sanjay himself is in contact every day to make sure everything is going well and to make any changes to itinerary or hotels that I may want. The hotels are always of a great standard and good value for money.
Niraj says
Hey Wanderluster,
These are so genuine points. Hiring a driver who knows English is definitely good. As of now, many organised cab providers have started their operations in India. That is safer and better. Check out any of these Uber, Tabcab, Olacabs, Meru,etc. Again, if you know any driver in person that is awesome and you remove professionalism which organised cab providers show.
travelocar says
nice and well informative blog.it’s give us light about what should you do before when you hire a car.
but for travelling you should prefer my best company for car hiring.Travelocar
Sharmila says
hi guys,
I am planning to travel to Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Temple. Since it my first time to visit india and I am going to travel with group of ppl around 10. which should be more preferable to travel? Is there any car rental with affordable price??