We will be in Nepal and India in Jan 2009. This will be our second trip to India, but this time we are making the bookings etc ourselves.Between Chennai and Pondicherry we are thinking of driving ourselves so that we can stop off along the way. How easy is it to hire a car and should we do it ahead of time. If we decide to have a driver...does anyone have any suggestions and any info on prices? Thanks!

I used train and bus to get around India. I would not hire a car anywhere in Asia as I think: What would happen if I broke down out in "the wilds"?

You can hire a car and driver through your hotel. If you wanted to do it ahead of time, you could e-mail your hotel and then you would know the price. I would think it would also be easy to do once you are there.

It's very easy to hire a car and driver once you're there - either through your hotel or a travel agency. The price will likely be better if you wait, and you can bargain. If this is your second trip to India I'm surprised you're even thinking about driving yourself, the roads are crazy.

DONT do it yourself. Its insane to drive yourself and dangerous no matter how good a driver you are. Get a car with driver. I could ot imagine driving in Chennai or any city of India.

I don’t know why anyone would want to rent a car in India. While renting a car is theoretically possible, this would not be an enjoyable experience, IMO. It also is not necessary as drivers are so inexpensive. Hire a driver and sit back and relax and enjoy the scenery (just don’t look at the road directly ahead of you…). Driving in India is more art than science, in my experience, and I don’t think a person who does not live there can really do it, to be honest. I would <i>never</i> think of driving there, and I live in Asia and visit India about once a month. (I am also used to driving on the left, which you may not be, and India is not the place to be a beginner at that.) Not only in terms of the issues raised by the somewhat casual relationship which seems to exist between Indian drivers and the rules of the road, but in terms of getting lost, finding parking, finding petrol, etc. Signage is in English for the most part (this is less true in South India, however), but is virtually non-existent in my experience other than pointing out major roads and sights. Road maps are another issue. Not sure how you would find your hotel in Pondicherry based on signage within town.

A car and driver service I have used in Chennai is below. Your hotel in Chennai may also have recommendations.

Kishore
Mobile: 9884299934
Email: [email protected]


The drive down the coast is lovely, and not touristed at all.

Well said Ciccerone. Even cross the road on foot in a place like Chennai or any city is something that you learn to do when there and after 4-5 trips i am still learning. My Indian Colleagues have ben away for a few years and even said on the last trip they no longer can cross the road like before, there is a rhythm to it and to driving. Its a guarantee for disaster as cars in ,messy traffic jams drive inches away from eachothers side and only a local with years of Experience can do that without wrecking the car! Let alone hitting a stray dog or god forbid a cow. Enjoy the trip and let someone else drive.

The Chennai -Pondicherry toll road is a good drive, however recommend you hire a driver. Inida has Hertz these days, use the yellow pages telephone directory to find whatever you need. Usually the number is 22222222 with the respective city code. Finding your way in pondicherry should not be difficult, it is the most anglicized or should i say 'french' town in india.

some tips while driving in india :

- size matters. the bigger vehicle always has right of way, irrespective of rules.
- over-taking is allowed from both sides. it depends which side has more space for you to get through.
- zebra crossings are meant for the zebras to cross over in our game sancturies. do not stop at these to let people cross - u will cause accidents.
- when stopped at a red traffic light, keep looking at the one across the road which is green. decide to move when it changes colour. do not look at the traffic light which is meant for u - u will cause a delay.
- a horn is more important that petrol. save petrol and use the horn freely. it is a musical instrument.
- incase of a small accident, do not try and find out whose fault it was. nod your head disapprovingly at the other party, brush yourself and drive on.
- when travelling on the highway, do not sit behind the driver. survival chances against oncoming trucks are higher when you sit on the other side.
- driving on highways are meant to test your blood pressure levels. do not fault the drivers from the opposite side - they are only helping you stay fit.

Your name is very appropriate Mincepie; 'cos that's what you'll BE if you choose to drive in India.

Were you not looking out the window last time you were there? Let me add to the chorus.. It's inconceivable to me that, if you've been there before, you'd even THINK about driving.

And, you know, a driver WILL stop along the way, when you tell him.

Thanks all. I enjoyed reading your comments.
Thanks for the driver info Cicerone, I will keep it in my file.

We would not drive in Chennai but pick up the car outside the city. We had been told the the East Coast Road was one of the best.

Have also had a couple of drivers with sleep problems and then I would have much preferred my husband was at the wheel. We are used to driving on left and right. Anyway, I appreciate your comments and will make up our minds later on. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.