Travelling by taxi or auto-rickshaw is an indispensable part of travel in India. It can also be one of the most dreadful experiences, especially if you are trying to understand how much you should pay when either negotiating a tariff or confronted with a meter that seems to be inappropriate.
The very first time you would most likely need a taxi is from the airport to your accommodation. There can be two options. Either you can choose to register Airport Taxi firms at the airport. Their charges are genuine, but the associated costs are too much to pay. So it is not recommended if you are on budget travel. However, if you are totally unaware about the city and languages, you can hire a taxi from the airport, because they are professionals and gives the best service but with high prices. On the contrary, if you are familiar with the city you can simply walk outside the city, and hire a taxi all by yourself. The best thing is if you have bargaining skills you can cut the prices to your need.
Taxi Cab numbers in Major Indian Cities.
By law, all taxis and auto-rickshaws are required to have a meter installed, although this can sometimes be overlooked. Before entering a taxi or auto-rickshaw first check for the meter and ensure it is turned on when you get in. If you do not see a meter, then ask the driver where it is.
If the vehicle does not have a meter, a good rule of thumb for a price is generally about Rs10 per kilometer in an auto-rickshaw and from Rs15 per kilometer in a taxi, but prices do vary between cities. There are also usually a flag fall rate and additional amounts are payable late nights starting at 11 o’clock PM in most places, although in practice the increase may start 10 o’clock PM.
Always be sure to ask the driver for a price before you enter the vehicle, and negotiate the price with them before the vehicle starts moving. If you cannot agree a price, then get out and look for the next vehicle to go past.
If the vehicle has a meter, but it is not a digital one, it may show a price that is unusual (like Rs1.10). In this instance the driver should have a rate card that they can show you that will tell you what the correct fare is.
Even if the vehicle has a meter, the driver may refuse to use it. This is more common in cities like Chennai and Bangalore. If you feel you’ve had a great service from a taxi or rickshaw driver then ask for their number and use them again. You can even negotiate a rate for them to them to take you around the town the next day. This would also include waiting time, which can be convenient if you want to see a lot of a town in a short space of time.
There are some online car rental companies growing up in major as well as small cities such as Bharat Taxi. The best feature is that you can compare the prices before booking and get the best deals for yourself. You can call these in advance, and you then send a text about 45 minutes prior telling you the driver’s name and contact number. Though not a big name but they does provide services at par.
There are some online car rental companies growing up in major as well as small cities such as Bharat Taxi. The best feature is that you can compare the prices before booking and get the best deals for yourself. You can call these in advance, and you then send a text about 45 minutes prior telling you the driver’s name and contact number. Though not a big name but they does provide services at par.
Online Car Hiring 