Pune

Cars & Drivers

With the opening of the Mumbai-Pune expressway, one of India's first world-class highways, the driving to Pune from Mumbai takes under three hours if you avoid the Mumbai rush hour.

You can also arrange to hire a car and driver through your hotel travel desk or from an agency. Hiring a non-air-conditioned car for eight hours or 80 km (50 mi)—whichever comes first—will set you back Rs. 700; it's Rs. 850 for a car with air-conditioning. These are rates for a comfortable but small Maruti 800 or Indica, and depending on the type of car, prices go up. Tips and "lunch money" for the driver are additional, although the restaurant you eat at may feed him for free in return for your business. Travel House rates are much higher, and start at Rs. 1,500 for eight hours. Whoever you deal with, be sure to fix a rate beforehand.

Contacts

Deccan Luxury (Fergusson College Rd., near Deccan Gymkhana and Champion Sports. 20/2553-2305).

Travel House (City Point, Boat Club Rd. 20/2611-3085).