Cars & Drivers in Orissa

Car and driver is the best way to get around Orissa. Most hotel travel desks provide guests with cars and drivers, but the cost is often quite a bit higher than necessary. A good source (with better prices) is the OTDC; Bhubaneswar Transport Unit674/243-1515; Puri Transport Unit6752/223-526). Its rates in Bhubaneswar or Puri for an Ambassador/Indica car are Rs. 504 (Rs. 720 for an air-conditioned car) for an eight-hour day covering 80 km (50 mi) or less; call ahead to confirm what the fare will be. Hiring a car in Bhubaneswar for a journey to Puri will set you back Rs. 700. You may be able to negotiate a better price with a taxi driver on your own, but remember that an English-speaking driver will be worth every extra penny. Be sure to specify which places you plan to visit and how long you plan to spend. The rate is roughly Rs. 4 per kilometer.