Useful tips for Kochi bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Kochi. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Kochi. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Kochi highlights.
Kochi is a compact city with 6 centuries of history. The question tourists often ask themselves is how much they can fit into their itinerary. Hiring a car with driver minimises your time between attractions and ensures you get around to everything on your tick list. It"s also a convenient way to get out to the backwaters of Kerala or experience stunning scenery when travelling to the hill station of Munnar.
Kerala"s roads are generally good, but the main highways are often single lane. That means frustrated drivers driving badly. Fortunately your driver knows how to handle it, and which roads to avoid during peak times. When renting a car with driver in Kochi the price will depend on both the quality of the vehicle and the quality and experience of the driver.
Many travel agents specialise in this service as tourists find it"s the best way to get traditional sight seeing with the bonus of a local guide who can keep you entertained. For example there are agents like Naik Travels on Ammankovil Road, Shaja Travels in Mattancherry, and Kerala Tour Package in Amaravthy. Taxi companies and travel agents will both offer the service at a similar price. The cheapest vehicles are local Tata or Marutis, and start at around €20 per day when staying in and around Kochi city. Usually around 80kms are included with day hire and then you must add on around €1 for every 4kms extra.
In Kochi you won"t get the same choice of luxury vehicle available in larger cities like Mumbai. However, you can still request vehicles like a new Toyota Corolla or modern estate vehicle.
Better drivers with more experience charge more money. Your driver will be working hard to please because if you give good feedback, he"ll get more work. So if he"s driving like a maniac tell him. And if you want the best cup of Masala Chai ask him where to go. Young drivers with limited experience charge the cheapest rates. But it"s usually only €5-10 a day extra to hire a more experienced driver with 10+ years working with tourists. This experience is handy as the driver already knows which attractions and sights get the best feedback from foreigners, and which itinerary gets the best recommendations.
In India recommendation is very important. With a lot of drivers offering a similar service your feedback is essential to ensuring the industry is continually improving. It"s important to tip your driver if they have provided a good service. How much is entirely up to you and you should not encourage bad service by automatically tipping. Probably the best way to thank your driver is to complete our feedback questionnaire on our website and give verbal feedback to the rental agency or travel agent. Doing this rewards your driver by helping him get more customers.
If there is a problem then you should speak directly to the rental company or agency. Either call them yourself or ask your driver to call them. If you are still unhappy with the service then ask for a new driver. The rental company or travel agency will almost always want to offer you an alternative than lose your business.
With a car with driver the question is less about what to see and more about how much more you can fit into your itinerary. With this option you can combine the history of Kochi with the tropical landscapes of the Kerala Province.
For 700 years different countries have shaped Kochi. Which would you like to start with? Perhaps the 14th century Chinese city nets on Fort Kochi Beach. Or go to admire the 600 year old Portuguese Santacruz Basilica or St Francis Church. Then there is the VOC gate and the remains of the Dutch East India Company"s time here. The Dutch also left the Dutch Palace, a breathtaking show of power in this corner of India. Jew Town, Bastian Bungalow, David Hall; if you"re unsure what to fit in ask your driver. He has experience working with tourists so knows which sights make the most impression.
Then there is the Indian temples, like Thrikkakara Temple which is devoted to Hindu deity Vanama. Or Jain Mandir, one of the oldest Jain temples in India.
Just 70kms away are the Kerala Backwaters, the so called “Venice of the East.” Here you"ll find a network of canals that take you on a gentle tour of real Indian life. Yes, the pictures in your head are true. You"ll pass women washing clothes in the canal, enthusiastic children waving as they splash around, and bamboo huts on stilts over the water. The advantage of having a car with driver is that you can hire a canalboat and take a one way route, getting your car to pick you up at a designated end point.
Kerala has it all; beaches, tropical jungle, tea plantations and green hills, and mountain towns. It"s a 3 hour journey to Munnar but the road takes in each of these different landscapes, showing off the province"s bounty. If that"s too far ask your driver to head south from Kerala and hit one of the region"s unspoilt beaches.
Read more information about travel services in India or transport in Kerala on this website. If you want to hire a car with driver in Kochi, please use our quote request form. RentAutobus is the one-stop car rental shop for smart travellers, location managers and tour operators!
Read more information about travel services in India or transport in Kerala on this website. If you want to hire a car with driver in Kochi, please use our quote request form. RentAutobus is the one-stop chauffeured services portal for smart travellers, travel agents, travel managers and tour operators!
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