Transport from DEL to hotel
Apr 9, 2015, 11:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,066
Transport from DEL to hotel
I'll be arriving DEL solo around 1pm later this month and mainly have 2 options:
1. Arrange pick-up through the hotel I will be staying at.
2. Take a legit taxi from DEL to hotel
If you have been in my shoes, which option did you pick? Would you have chosen another method?
1. Arrange pick-up through the hotel I will be staying at.
2. Take a legit taxi from DEL to hotel
If you have been in my shoes, which option did you pick? Would you have chosen another method?
Apr 10, 2015, 7:11 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 5,925
I have done both and would still do both. My India trips generally have me staying in 5-star hotels, for work. A hotel pickup is generally quite expensive, but if you can get reimbursed, it's certainly more comfortable (a nicer car, possibly an English-speaking driver).
If you want to go by taxi, use the prepaid taxi desk at the airport. This is the easiest and least stressful way to go. The fare is set ahead of time; you may still tip, but at least you don't have to haggle.
If you want to go by taxi, use the prepaid taxi desk at the airport. This is the easiest and least stressful way to go. The fare is set ahead of time; you may still tip, but at least you don't have to haggle.
Apr 10, 2015, 12:22 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,066
I have done both and would still do both. My India trips generally have me staying in 5-star hotels, for work. A hotel pickup is generally quite expensive, but if you can get reimbursed, it's certainly more comfortable (a nicer car, possibly an English-speaking driver).
If you want to go by taxi, use the prepaid taxi desk at the airport. This is the easiest and least stressful way to go. The fare is set ahead of time; you may still tip, but at least you don't have to haggle.
If you want to go by taxi, use the prepaid taxi desk at the airport. This is the easiest and least stressful way to go. The fare is set ahead of time; you may still tip, but at least you don't have to haggle.
Apr 10, 2015, 2:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 154
A nice perk of the hotel pickup is that there is someone waiting with a sign that has your name on it. After a long trip it's nice to walk straight out to a car without dealing with the taxi. I agree with travelmad478, though, if you do use a cab, prepay inside the airport. I've never been DEL, but at other airports I've been to it's been pretty easy to find the taxi kiosk.
Apr 29, 2015, 8:47 pm
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
There's a lot of tipping in India in tourist / high visitor areas, but IME its less tester amounts than, say, the U.S.
Tipping multiple day car hire drivers, day car hire drivers and transfers from airport or taxis
At instances of Airport transfers you can tip between about INR 30 - 50.
If you rent a car for a day to tour the city, depending on how happy you were with his service you can tip between INR 100 – 250. Base this of if he gave you good local tips on places to eat, or monuments to visit. Did not take you tourist-trap shops.
If you take a taxi or a tuk-tuk (rickshaw) between point a to point b after deciding rate, a tip is usually not expected on these instances.
When you have a driver over multiple days, you should tip him between INR 150 – INR 300 per day. Again base this on how happy you were with his service and local knowledge. LINK
At instances of Airport transfers you can tip between about INR 30 - 50.
If you rent a car for a day to tour the city, depending on how happy you were with his service you can tip between INR 100 – 250. Base this of if he gave you good local tips on places to eat, or monuments to visit. Did not take you tourist-trap shops.
If you take a taxi or a tuk-tuk (rickshaw) between point a to point b after deciding rate, a tip is usually not expected on these instances.
When you have a driver over multiple days, you should tip him between INR 150 – INR 300 per day. Again base this on how happy you were with his service and local knowledge. LINK