Chennai (Madras) Tourist Traps

We faced helluva problem in Chennai city with Auto - Rickshaw drivers even for going to hospitals. They think any fair coloured Indian non -Tamil speaking is North Indian and their rates just skyhigh. I even got down from one auto rickshaw after he started mis behaving in Tamil asking for more money. Then I gave him a Rs100/- note and asked him to buy sweets for his family in English. Then I took him to a nearby shopkeeper and explained him the thing. He said Rs.20/- would be more than double the fare.

The German girl in the second picture said she paid in advance Rs. 800/- for an hours trip to see around the city!!! Since the city of Chennai does not have proper bus service the people and the travller have to be dependant on the Auto Rickshaws only. Complaining to police wont help as he too will speak in Tamil, and shall not come forward to help you. This is our experience of ten days stay in Chennai.

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Chennai have a history of overcharging, using rigged meters, and exploting foreign passengers, although they are ubiquitous and possibly the easiest form of transportation to locate. Use Auto-rickshaws only for short distances (if you know exactly how far you are going). Before talking to auto person ask any local person what the actual fare should be, because if you don't know, they might ask for up to 3 times more.
If you want to travel by the auto, stick to these rules:
Don't go by the meter (if they have one) - the meter is rigged to show a higher fare
Negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand. Try to stick to the agreed price, though the driver may attempt to ask for more.
Consult local friends beforehand to find out reasonable market prices for the distance you intend to go.
Try to hail individual auto rickshaws in traffic which are heading in the general direction of your destination and avoid those parked in groups as they may try to gang-up on you.
As a general rule, expect to pay about Rs.10 for every kilometre you travel.
Be careful about the following when you plan to undertake an autorickshaw trip:
You don't have to pay for any empty return trips that the autorickshaw driver has to make once you have agreed upon a fare.
You tell them to go to a landmark near where you want to go, and upon reaching the landmark, ask them to go a little further along a particular road to your destination. They might cite the extra distance traveled and ask for more money. So it is better to negotiate the fare upfront.

Don't go by the meter (if they have one) - the meter is rigged to show a higher fare
Negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand. Try to stick to the agreed price, though the driver may attempt to ask for more.
Consult local friends beforehand to find out reasonable market prices for the distance you intend to go.
Try to hail individual auto rickshaws in traffic which are heading in the general direction of your destination and avoid those parked in groups as they may try to gang-up on you.
As a general rule, expect to pay about Rs.10 for every kilometre you travel.
Be careful about the following when you plan to undertake an autorickshaw trip:
You don't have to pay for any empty return trips that the autorickshaw driver has to make once you have agreed upon a fare.
You tell them to go to a landmark near where you want to go, and upon reaching the landmark, ask them to go a little further along a particular road to your destination. They might cite the extra distance traveled and ask for more money. So it is better to negotiate the fare upfront.

My suggestion would be to take TTDC conducted tour of the city as far as possible. If you can afford then hire a car from an agency. The ill behaved Auto Rickshaw driver can mar the enjoyment of your holiday!

Here are some Taxi operators of Chennai:

• Indian call Taxi +91 9884239756
• S.R Call taxi +919444833331 ,044-6555 6511
• Sri venkateswarra call taxi +91971110190
• Fast Track Call Taxi, +91-44-24732020, . Chennai's largest taxi operator.
• Taxi-1 chennai : +91 44 2475 0505.
• P A Travels +91 9841914140
• Kasi's Call Taxi +91 9841652109
• Bharati Call Taxi, +91 44 2814 2233.
• Chennai Call Taxi, +91 44 2598 4455.
• Rajesh Call Taxi, +91 98408 15058.
• Sruthi Call Taxi, +91 44 4211 0044.
• Zigzag Call Taxi, +91 44 2474 9966

Chennai (Madras) Hotels

Chennai (Madras) Tourist Traps

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Visiting Chennai (Madras)?

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