Tag: getting around

Bangalore Car Rental: Save Your Time

When you are at an unknown place or for that matter known place and time is your major factor of concern then, the best way to save on time is by having your own vehicle for conveyance. This gives you freedom to move at your own pace and wish. And for that matter if you are at a place like Bangalore where the roads are so beautiful that it is a sheer pleasure to travel through your own rented vehicle. So if you are planning for your next trip at Bangalore, then do make sure that you get yourself a car rented because nothing can compare the pleasure of travelling by your own route and way and in case if you are worried about the expenses, then be relaxed because there are good car renting company’s which provides car which suit every budget and needs.

So, be it business or a family trip hiring a car would really help you save on time as well as be comfortable for you. And as far as Bangalore car rental services are concerned, it’s a unparallel match in terms of service and price because of the multiple option it provides, that means you can go for a normal car or a luxurious one or a SUV depending upon your need and budget, infact if you are a big group of friends going out there to have some good time, you can hire a vehicle with a capacity of 12 seater to 50 seater. Also, Bangalore car hiring companies provides you with a fleet of options starting from a Indica to Qualis esteem or for that matter coaches with big seating capacities, you name it and you’ll get it. As far as service is concerned you can instruct them to pick you up from the airport and then the price will be charged on the Kms that you cover further. If you want to enjoy the joy of driving then you can opt for driving yourself, but you need to have a driving licence and in case if you are not all that sure about your driving skills, then opt for a driver, which will be charged additionally and that will depend upon the type of the vehicle you opt for. And also Bangalore is a beautiful place, so save upon your time and try exploring the place more and more because there are multiple options available to the tourists and when there is so much to do and see, you just can’t waste your time on waiting and locating for the public transport.

So go ahead and enjoy your trip to Bangalore and do make sure that you hire a car for yourself from a Bangalore car rental company because they really work for you. And in case you’re still confused about what to do then carefully have a look at the multiple options and also the affordability factor and you yourself would not help to hire a vehicle for yourself. And even if you compare the prices with the public transport, it might cost you slightly more but then if you see the comfort and luxury which is priceless and you won’t get that anywhere else. So get set and go explore the beautiful Bangalore by hiring a car for yourself.

6 Car Hire Rip-offs to Look Out For When Hiring a Car?

Your holiday package includes a hire car to use whilst you are on your holiday and “the car only cost me an extra $50 for the entire 7 days hire”. And, then the unexpected happens such as a scratch on the bonnet, windscreen damage caused by flying debris or the worst case is that the car is hit by another motorists. “We are covered says Jamie because the insurance will take care of it”.

You bring the car back to the garage and the hirer hands you an unexpected repair bill of $600. You are shocked with bewilderment and the car hire people point you to the finer points of the hire contract which you duly signed when you collected the car. Below is a list of tricks car hire companies use to siphon money from you:-

1)Hidden costs.

Hire companies advertise hire charges that are inclusive of insurance but they fail to disclose the high excess charges before you sign the hire contract. If you own a car you may choose to have a small access of say $200 added to the policy to lower your premium but the access on a hire car can be as high as a $1,000. In case of a small damage say a scratch, the rental company can, if it chooses to, send you a bill for the entire access amount ($1,000.00) even if the repair costs are mush less.

2)The repairs con.

Customers are billed huge amount as much as a $1,000 for superficial repairs and hire companies don’t actually carry out the repairs. It is reported that cars are actually handed to other unsuspecting hirers before repairs are done on them. Therefore, these large access charges in respect of the repairs are income extra income that the company earns from unsuspecting customers. Ask them for a copy of the repairs bill? Well, you will have to wait a long time. If repairs are not carried out then the bills can never be produced. Can they?

3)Hire vehicles not properly maintained.

Imagine having a package holiday with a hire car thrown in as a bonus. You did not really want a car but it is there so you decide to use it. You take is for drive, it breaks down because it is not really road worthy and when you finally get it back to the garage you are landed with a repair bill. Being in a foreign country and not knowing the law you are more likely to hand over the money but you’ve just been conned.

4)Can we inspect the vehicle sir/madam?

You return a car after your holiday. The hire company staff inspect the car and find something wrong. You have no idea what is under the bonnet or even on the under floor of the car. The hire staff produce a list of three mechanical problems and then hand you a bill. Those three mechanical problems could have been paid a 1000 times a year. It is just another revenue generating scam.

5)Hire company fuel will cost you an earth

A tank full of fuel can cost you double what you will pay at the pumps. If you bring a car back to the hire company then expect a big fuel bill. This situation can be avoided by filling up the tank before you arrive at the hire depot to return your hire car.

6)Filled up tank with the wrong fuel? Big mistake

Putting wrong fuel in your car tank is a mistake easily made. Particularly, if your normal car at home runs on diesel fuel and your hire car uses petrol. If you were unfortunate enough to make such an error you will incur exorbitant costs running into $500 to $1500 to have your error put right.

Which car hire companies are operating their businesses in this unscrupulous manner?

From the sound of things, you will conclude that these are cowboy outfits out there to rip off unsuspecting customers. They cannot be large well established brands names that we recognise. Here is the shocking news, these car hire companies are national and international chains:-

Bad hire Company 1: Avis car hire charged 87% more for fuel and argued that they were right.

Bad hire Company 2: Hertz car hire charged a customer nearly $1,500 for filling the tank with the wrong fuel.

Bad hire company 3: Alamo car hire conceded that they charge customers for repairs which are never carried out.

Bad car hire company 4: Europcar; according to their representative, cars are returned back to the manufacturers having had all the repairs carried out first. It would appear that Eruopcar is no different than the other suppliers in the market place.

Finally, if you need to hire a car ask the hire company about the hidden costs; matters relating to insurance and excess charges before hiring your rental car. If you come across unethical practices/conduct please report your hire company to the authorities as a matter of course.

Car Rental – A convenient mode of transport in Bangalore

Bangalore, a place which probably is considered one of the best places in India as far as infrastructure is considered and reasons are many for that, one is because of the IT hub that it is and also because it is one of very good places if you are considering holidays and because of this very good facility provided for the people visiting Bangalore is that you have many options in case if you are thinking of hiring a car because of the large inflow of people visiting there every year either for business or vacation; Whatever your reason of visit may be hiring a vehicle for yourself will be a easy task and also you will be spellbound with the kind of options available to you for hiring a car at Bangalore.

First things first, whatever may be the reason for which you need a car , you’ll have a variety of options for that, weather you need a car for the most basic purpose of moving comfortably or you want a luxurious ride and you need to move in style or in case you are moving in a big group and you don’t want to part away with the fun of moving together, every need of yours would be taken care of by the Bangalore car rental companies. Also you can hire a car which suits your budget, so you can hire an economical car which will serve the purpose of moving around the place comfortably, obviously the luxuries will be missing but all the bucks that you would save on your travel would be all worth it. And if you are one of those who like to move out in style and want to make a statement everywhere you go, than you can hire a luxury car which would cost you a little more but then luxury has to come with a price otherwise it’s not a luxury and if you are moving with a large gang and don’t want to compromise on the fun of being together, then you can hire a coach for yourself which also depend on the no. of people, the capacity of coach varies from 12 seater to 50.

Now if you want to have the fun of riding the vehicle by yourself, than you can opt for driving for yourself provided you have a valid driving license and in case if you’re not very confident upon your driving skills than you can opt for a driver which will take you places. So if you are planning your next trip to Bangalore then make sure that you hire a car for yourself from one of the car rental companies in Bangalore because it not only saves you time that you will spend unnecessarily locating the public transport or finding place and also the comfort of moving at your own pace and in your own vehicle is priceless which you cannot get at any price and moreover exploring Bangalore with your own hired vehicle will be a fun that you would never forget your trip to Bangalore. So go on and hire a car for yourself for an easy and comfortable trip. Also the service provided by the Bangalore car rental companies also makes it easy to hire a car because you can make them work according to your comfort and they will be more than happy to serve you in the best possible way.

Car Rental Availability: How to Budget a Vacation with Style

Car rentals are aplenty in most tourist crazed countries such as Europe and the United States. Most tourists who visit various countries prefer to take their own private means of transportation and thus become the great season for most car rental owners to grab the opportunity for the valued visitors. The notion for most tourists is that car rentals will cost a fortune, considering that the stay of most people is not that short, hence the need to do some pencils pushing when it comes to budgeting their expenses for these trips.

There are a lot of car rentals in most countries and perhaps the distinguishing factor are the available vehicles they have to offer for most visitors of their country. Among them, Alamo Car Rentals and Avis Car Rentals stand out as the most well known and reliable car rental organizations that are practically present in most countries. In most instances, they are packaged altogether with the cheap hotel accommodations for their stay to avail of discounts given to them usually by travel agencies as well as cheap flights, which prepare the itinerary for the whole trip. A budget alone is not enough. Most people would prefer a packaged tour deal so that they would not have the problems of needing to identify the places, the mode of transportation they have to consider and the length of their stay.

The key significance and benefits that a car rental service provides to tourists is that they have the luxury of time and getting away from the usual crowded places at times, where their time is limited especially when group tours are on hand. Some get hold of discount car rental coupons savings to help ease the load of car rental expenses. In tourist spots such as Greece, Greece car rentals are in demand since there are places to go and lands to explore. Various car rentals such as National Car Rental and Thrifty Car Rentals are available together with Avis and Alamo to widen the array of possible car rental groups to which their specific car needs can be satisfied.

The ideal car that most people would go for are the exotic cars for rent. While the price may be stiff to the pockets, the point of it all is making the most out of a tourist’s vacation in such great places like Greece and parts of Europe. As stated earlier, most people would want car rental preferences such as a 4 x 4, a sedan or maybe even a van, largely depending on how many people are present to be accommodated on. Ideally, people can do preliminary scouting as to the available cars that car rental groups have through the web. Usually, the available cars, if not immediately reserved, may not be available at times, and this is not surprising considering that tours are open to practically anyone in the world for people who want to visit and unwind at times from their stressful lives. Also, advanced bookings and reservations will make the trip a whole lot less to be worried about, especially for people who give due preference as far as accommodation and car rental services are concerned.

Cheap Travel – Airport Parking Tips

When it comes to budget travel, a big expense can be car-parking costs at airports. In this article, we look at what to look out for when booking parking and money saving tips on airport parking.

Firstly, do you know the company you are booking your parking through? Take a minute to check out the ‘about us’ page. Reputable companies will tell you about themselves so you know who you are dealing with. There are literally hundreds of companies reselling airport parking so it is worth finding out who is actually providing the service. You don’t want to get back from holiday to find your car has been accidentally lost!

Booking you car parking at a certain time during the day can save you money as prices fluctuate daily. If you spot a bargain, reserve your parking space right away

If you know your holiday or travel date well in advance, book your parking in because you can save up to 25% on early bookings. Many car parks offer advance purchase prices and the earlier you book the more likely you are to find them. If you do find one, book straight away because these prices are withdrawn as you get closer to the departure date and are subject to availability.

Transfer times and frequency of transfers are very important as you want to be able to catch your flight with minimum hassle.

One choice worth considering is looking at staying the night before you travel at a nearby hotel and leaving your car in their car park for the duration of your holiday/travel. Check the cost of a hotel with a parking package compared to airport parking. You may well be surprised to find out that it is cheaper to stay in a 4 star hotel with breakfast including 14 days car parking than airport parking alone. Compare the price of airport parking with the price of a hotel packaged with parking. At certain times of the year, especially August and September, parking packaged with a hotel can be up to £20 cheaper than parking on its own. If you have an early check in, staying overnight takes all the stress out of getting to the airport on time. Compare the prices on the parking results page. You can click straight through from parking to hotels.

It’s recommended that you never turn up to an airport without pre-booking your parking. Airport car parks charge a premium for turning up on that day which can be up to 60% more than our internet prices, even if you have left your booking until the last minute! You can still save even if you only book your parking on the day of travel. If you see someone putting money into a parking machine at the airport, tell them to pre-book online next time!

There are 3 main choices of airport parking and your choice depends on budget and whether you need to park your car for two weeks or just a couple of days

On-Airport Parking
This refers to parking within the airport boundary. Airports, however, are generally big places so always check the transfer times and distance to the terminal. In general the closer you are to the terminal the more you pay for the convenience.

Off-Airport Parking
This means it is located outside the airport boundary. Ironically, the transfer times for off-airport car parks can sometimes be less than the on-airport times, due to their location, so make sure you check.

Valet or Meet and Greet Parking
Arguably the most convenient option for parking at the airport; this service means you are met at the terminal by a driver who will collect your car and take it to one of the on or off-airport car parks leaving you free to check-in. When you return, your car will be delivered back to the terminal for you. This is great for large families with loads of luggage. There are some variants on this service so be sure to read the details.

12 Questions to ask to save you money on airport parking

Airport parking can be expensive but asking the following five tips could save you money:

1. Use discounts offered by online airport parking websites. Keep an eye out for offers as many airport parking sites offer seasonal discounts.

2. Ask if the airport parking lots have different rates for long-term/short-term parking. Many airport parking lots charge more for lots closer to departure gates than for parking lots a considerable distance away.

3. Determine whether your membership with the AAA or other organizations offers you any advantages as far as airport parking lots are concerned.

4. Consider parking at an off-site airport lot. You will save a lot of money and be able to use a shuttle service run by the parking lot to the airport. You will also save considerable time and effort by not having to lug heavy bags across parking lots.

5. Use a comparison website of different on and off-site airport parking sites and their costs as well as pros and cons such as distance, transportation, safety, time saving and so on.

6. Collect parking coupons from operations near the airport. Look for discount rates offered say mid-week and offers of one extra day’s free parking if you book x number days. Some sites even have what is termed as a “free day” of parking.

7. If you are a frequent traveller, consider staying at a hotel near the airport overnight and use their car parking facilities. Most hotels allow guests staying at the hotel to park their cars for a limited period free of cost.

8. Plan to travel during the week and not at weekend when prices are higher.

9. When booking your flight or holiday, ask the travel agent or airline whether they offer pick and drop services.

11. Consider taking a taxi to the airport it may be cheaper than parking. This would of course depend on the distance you will be travelling.

12. Find out if you can buy parking coupons at a bulk rate. This will be a saving if you are a frequent flier.

The early history of transportation

The early history of transportation is important for people to think about especially in today’s world. We have large, fast, gas guzzling vehicles that have contributed over time to our issue of global warming. When suggested that we carpool, buy a hybrid or ‘heaven forbid’ ride a bicycle the majority of us laugh at the thought. The remaining people continue to go about their daily lives taking for granted the resources that fuel our modern vehicles. Imagine being in the early 1800’s and still traveling my horseback and later by boat? In the 1830’s the train era began and I imagine people then were thrilled to have a means of transportation much faster and easier than horseback and wagons. We have public transportation and trains that run today but the majority of Americans refuse to use these systems because of the convenience of modern automobiles. We have not only adjusted to the convenience of personal automobiles but we are very impatient and don’t like to wait to get anywhere, thus why vehicles continue to be made even faster and more powerful. The American home used to own one family vehicle and children used bicycles as a means for transportation but now some households have one vehicle per family member. Transportation has come such a long way but sometimes I think we should convert back to older means of transportation to conserve energy and possibly have a few accidents less per year. This couldn’t hurt anyone and the idea of waiting on public transportation or a carpool could make people a little more patient. The idea of walking or riding a bicycle to get from one point to another can also benefit many of us that are not participating in enough physical activities.

Car Hire Spain – Car Rental Spain – Cheap Car Hire – Golf Courses in Spain

Spain is so crammed full of things, that there are no words to describe, what you really need is to rent a car to enjoy real Spain by leaving the holiday cost as.
Car Hire Spain helps you make the best use of your car rental time whilst travelling through the Spanish countryside and towns. We have rental outlets for discount car hire in all Spain’s cities, towns and airports. We are one of the leading companies in the leisure car industry, offers you the best car rental rates in Spain offers all the guarantees of major international companies in your car hire. We also have one of the most modern and versatile fleet of cars so you can truly enjoy your car hire in Spain during your holidays.
Visit On-line Car hire in Spain and Discover our special on-line Car hire offers in Spain. We have a splendid relationship with Alamo, Hertz, Budget and the rest, which allows us to shop round on your behalf .Our car hire rates, are very attractive and our service is first rate. We have a dedicated team of professionals waiting to make your car hire as smooth as possible. Book your car before coming to Spain and take advantage of our prices.
We are specialising in providing all information on car rentals for all of our partners by putting them infront of you. Thus helping you to book your car hire or rent a car at any of our worldwide locations.
Spain uses some international traffic regulations and road signs, and some additional local regulations. please refer to our” Driving Regulations” for new driver.
We provide car hire| car hire spain to both our business travellers and leisure customers. We negotiate with the world’s best car rental companies to provide our customers with low cost fully inclusive rates, and with really good conditions and extras.Our extensive car hire coverage of Spain ranges from major cities in the North,such as Asturias and Cantabria to Madrid and Extermadura in the Central regions,to Andalucia and Murcia in the Southern parts of Spain. Different rental suppliers are used who can offer better rates, regardless where you pick up or drop off the vehicle within Spain. The advantage of our site is some rental suppliers specialise in certain areas within Spain so when one supplier may not be able to offer you a hire car at a certain location, another probably can. Our networking capacity puts us on top of that.
We offer instant online quotes and booking capabilities for all inclusive cheap hire car rentals with an online discount of 10 – 15%. We also offer through our website one way rentals throughout the whole of the Spain which include city and airport locations. Our exceptional customer service and Beat Rate Guarantee assure the best savings and quality of service on your car hire in Spain. Book car hire online today.
We will help you find the perfect hotel, motel or bed and breakfast accommodation in Spain. You can stay Barcelona, Canary Islands, Granada, Ibiza, Madrid and Malaga. Our world wide network of holiday service agencies can do a lot to smooth your travel. We have outlets, airports hire counters and offices throughout Spain, and we’ve set up arrangements with hire operators located in every tourist and holiday region. Our site also has a section covering the Golf area attractions – use this to carefully plan your holidays. Spain has a fine selection of golf courses in the popular areas like Andalucia, Balaeric Islands, Canary Islands, Catalunya, and Comunidad Valencia. For those of you wanting to arrange a golfing holiday you will find a detailed list of the Golf courses close to your vacation. Book your holiday car hire in a wide range of popular worldwide destinations for cheap car hire and budget car hire rental in Spain.
There are various attractions in Spain to visit and spent long holidays and spain car hire can help you in making holiday too happy.

My Effective Guide to Cheap Car Rental

In today’s world of competitive marketing and cutthroat competition, a customer can’t really predict whether the deal he/she is closing will benefit her or not, most of the time most, consumers, just go on with the deal just to avoid all the hassle of inquiring for more economic alternatives, or discounts.

This also applies to car rentals, nowadays, it’s hard to call anything a cheap car rental, with the inflation rate of products, continuing gas price increase it’s hard to keep product prices down, so here are a few tips to keep your car rentals cheap, even if every other factor is making it expensive.

1. Reserve your cheap car rental internet sites instead of over the counter ones. Internet sites, offer internet only discounts which could very beneficial for you, cheap car rentals can be achieved by being witty, put discounts like these to your advantage and you’re sure to save a lot.

2. One way to get cheap car rentals is to try to get the most out of your rental. Most car rentals require you to fill the tank when you return it, so on your way to returning the rented car, fill it up with the cheapest type of gas you could find, you’ll save more than when they make you pay for the gas at an inflated rate.

3. If you can, always rent at only one Car Company, companies give you cheap car rentals for frequently renting their cars, discounts, coupons and sometimes even miles.

4. Ask the car rentals if you can exchange your flyers miles for car rental miles. This is especially useful when your flyer’s miles is about to expire, instead of just letting it go to waste, get a cheap car rental for it.

5. For a cheap car rental, try to make reservations as early as possible, car rental; companies give discounts for customers who reserve early.

6. To get your rental cheaper, pick up your car early in the morning, just as the shop is opening, so that there will be a shortage on the cheap car rentals, at this point, the renters may give you a free or a marked down upgrade.

7. Look for packages like hotels and rental packages or if you want a cheaper car rental find a package that includes air fare, car rental and hotel stay, these packages give you great discounts on all three, so if you’re planning to do all, I suggest you get a package deal to get the most out of your money.

8. To get a cheap car rental at your own, price, find rent-at-your-own-price internet sites that look for the best possible deal with the budget that you’ve given them, but be careful with this, review the company’s history first before you get into it, or make sure that there are no other cheaper means before you close the deal, remember, once you make a reservation, you can’t cancel it.

9. If you’re going to use the car for more than five days try to find weekly rates from car rentals, with weekly rates, the sixth and seventh day are almost always discounted, so look for this when you’re out for a cheap car rental.

10. Instead of picking up your rental at the airport, save money by picking it up at the shop, this’ll reduce airport surcharges.

Luton Airport parking explained – Top advice on how to save time and money from a seasoned traveller

London Luton Airport, located 35 miles North of London in Bedfordshire, houses 15 scheduled carriers offering flights to over 60 domestic and international destinations. London Luton Airport handles over 7.5 million passengers per year, so it’s hardly surprising that finding the right Luton Airport parking to suit your needs can be such a nightmare – time consuming and expensive. However, the key to finding the right parking for your needs, at the right price, is now divulged for your reading pleasure…

There are various Luton Airport parking options available to passengers travelling through the Airport depending on budget, length of stay and level of service required. Determining which Luton Airport parking option will best suit your needs is the first step.

All short term, mid term, and long term on-airport parking is operated by NCP. Visitors that have booked by credit or debit card need to take the card used, to be able to enter and exit the parking. Visitors that made a booking within 72 hours will need to take a ticket and pay at the NCP desk within the airport terminal.

* Standard Luton Airport Parking
Luton short term parking is situated a short walk from the terminal and suitable for stays of up to 5 hours – perfect for collecting or dropping off passengers, or for short trips. When you arrive at Luton Airport, follow the yellow P signs to find the car park. Any cars left unattended in the set down or pick up areas, will be towed away by the police and a release fee will be incurred. Therefore, if you need to leave your car unattended, motorists must park in the Luton short stay car parks available at the Terminal. Visitors to the Airport should note that trailers are not permitted in the Luton short term car park.

* Luton Mid Term Parking
For passengers travelling on short breaks and business trips, this secure mid term car park is the ideal choice. The car park is perfect for passengers staying up to 5 days. To find the car park, follow the green P signs. The car park is approximately 0.5 miles away with bus transfers running to the terminal every 10 minutes.

* Luton Long Term Parking
The on-airport Luton long term car park has a minimum charge of 5 days, so this parking option is advised for passengers travelling away for at least more than 5 days. To find the car park on arrival at the Airport, follow the pink P signs. The long stay car park has CCTV cover and security patrols, and is serviced by a regular shuttle bus every 10 minutes to the terminal building. Passengers using this option should leave enough time to reach the terminal. Keep reading for tips on how to make your Luton Airport parking decision and get the best price.

* Luton Off-Airport Parking
Luton Airparks Services operate a secure off-airport long term parking facility at Luton Airport, with 24 hour patrols and CCTV. The car park operates a minimum stay of one day and a regular shuttle bus runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Passengers should allow 50 minutes to park and the transfer to the terminal. The Airparks car park does not permit motor homes, lorries or trailers.

* Disabled Parking at Luton Airport
Luton Airport has dedicated disabled parking bays in the short term, mid term and long term car parks, and the mid term and long term car parks are serviced by a fully accessible shuttle bus. Help Points are also available in each car park enabling passengers to call for free assistance. Passengers travelling with a motorised wheelchair should call NCP in advance on 01582 395484 for car parking advice. A pre-booking discount is available for passengers booking online.

Now we’ve looked at all the options, ‘how do I make sure I get the best quote to save me money?’ I hear you ask…

* Choose the best option for your needs: Whether this be short term Luton Airport parking, mid term Luton parking, Luton long term parking, off-airport or disabled parking
* Pre-book: Booking Luton Airport parking in advance will secure your parking space
* Discounts: Online bookings will normally reward you with a further discount
* Save time, find the right price and compare your options: Use an online Luton airport parking price checker to make sure you are not paying over the odds. A price checker enables you to compare parking prices online.

The best Luton airport parking price checker that I have found to compare Luton airport car parking is available on the Luton Airport information site.

* Truly Independent – so they get the best deals on parking prices and pass them on to you
* Better Rates – the Company goes direct to the Luton Airport parking operators so they can negotiate better rates
* Monitor Competitors – to ensure they offer you the best prices
* Information in one screen shot – so you can instantly see the best option and price for your needs
* Book online – traipsing around for the best Luton Airport parking is a thing of the past!

So next time you travel away, just follow the Luton Airport parking tips in this simple guide, and you’re away – more relaxed and with a few extra pennies in your pocket.

This article is free for republishing with links intact

Taxi Cabs Versus Chauffeur Car Hire

Anybody that has ever used chauffeur car hire will know only too well it is an entirely different experience to that of grabbing a taxi. Use chauffeur car hire and you will get a polite, courteous, fragrant driver who is smartly dressed. Try a taxi and you’ll be often be greeted by a pungent smelling sweaty individual who will extinguish his cigarette reluctantly. He will bark at you, apparently this is an enquiry as to where you want to go.

You will then depart on a white knuckle ride through the streets, sinking lower in your seat while the ‘driver’ hurls abuse at any other motorist that might get in the way. He will cut people up on roundabouts, narrowly missing collisions and you will arrive at your destination ashen faced and wet trousered.

This is the point where you are subjected to daylight robbery. The driver will issue a barked demand for a sum of money that would probably buy you a small property in outer Mongolia. Until he receives this money, you are locked into the car. Not that you are too concerned about handing over the cash – you’d willingly double it just to get out alive.

I once visited Hong Kong and not knowing the area, had planned on using chauffeur car hire to get around. Deciding that a cab would probably be cheaper, my family and I approached a waiting driver. In a scene that resembled something from a James Bond movie, the driver activated a switch and all the doors flipped open with no external force.

We nervously boarded the vehicle, eventually making it clear where our destination was. In the blink of an eye, the driver had taken off, almost literally, and we were speeding down the road. I’ve seen more contained journeys on bank robbery films than the one we experienced that day!

This must be the type of journey the Pope regularly experiences because when we stopped I wanted to get out and kiss the ground! At least it wasn’t an expensive trip this time.

Users of chauffeur car hire do not have any of these problems. Routes are planned in advance, a price is set and a leisurely drive can be enjoyed. You can take the scenic route if you so wish. You can even raise the privacy panel between driver and passenger so even if he does smell like a rose, you do not feel obliged to try and make conversation.

With chauffeur car hire you will never be exposed to the driver’s road rage. In fact, you can rest assured that if you pick a reputable company, the driver will be professional at all times. He will be courteous at all times, well versed in chauffeur/passenger etiquette and security conscious at all times.

This is one of the main reasons that celebrities and royalty use chauffeur car hire. Not simply for the thrill of riding in a fancy car but for the security it offers. Armour plated vehicles that look the business will protect and transport in a style to make any taxi cab passenger green with envy.

You will glide through traffic with the sensation of floating, knowing that your driver is in full control of not only his vehicle but also his emotions. After experiencing chauffeur car hire once, you will never want to revert to taxis.