How much is a Chauffeur Service December 3, 2024 | News

What is a Chauffeur?

What is the cost of a chauffeur or service? Firstly, what is a chauffeur and their duties, to warrant the cost? A chauffeur is a professional driver, so you will not experience a white knuckle ride. Also they should make you feel like you have had the best elite travel experience alligned with the cost. They will offer a higher level of service and provide attention to detail relevant to the type of service as detailed below.

The three main types of chauffeur are:

Personal chauffeur

A personal or private chauffeur would be employed to work for an individual or a company. The cost to have the service of a personal chauffeur varies as to whether they are live in or not. However expect to pay £40k – £60K a year.

So for an individual their duties could include: Family journeys like the school run, family events and taking their employee to work.

A company chauffeur’s duties would be mainly based around providing transport for the executives. Also collecting business guests for meetings for example.

They are also responsible for the cleanliness of the vehicle and duties may also include washing the vehicle regularly.

Chauffeur service company

A chauffeur service employee will work for many different clients. All with different requirements for their luxury travel needs. Expect complimentary plastic bottles of water and a chauffeur in a suit or shirt and tie.

So again they would be responsible for keeping the vehicle clean and be of smart appearance.

The cost of a chauffeur service per hr for a basic vehicle could start from £40 per hour. Also depending on the distance you need to travel, you may also be charged for mileage.

VIP Service

A VIP chauffeur service will have the highest cost and spec vehicles. The chauffeurs will be specifically trained in etiquette and therefore more attentive to your requirements. Also expect them to have bespoke uniforms.

Included in the chauffeur hire cost, expect more premium products and no limits. So for example unlimited chilled still or sparkling water in glass bottles. Hence like the finest hotels, also more spacious vehicles for their clients.

The interiors of the vehicles will be more luxurious as you would expect. So, standard equipment you would have TV’s, massaging seats, heated seats, tables, bottle holders and fridges.

The vehicles are normally designed or have the specification to provide for all of the clients needs. So you could work whilst travelling, relax or entertain corporate guests.

How much does a chauffeur or service cost?

The cost of a chauffeur or chauffeur service will vary. So depending on vehicle type and the number of passengers it transports. Also the level of luxury included in the cost of the hire.

How much to hire a chauffeur only? To hire a chauffeur only to drive your vehicle, can range from £20 – £60 per hour.

How much to hire a chauffeur service? The cost of hiring a chauffeur service eg. chauffeur and vehicle will vary depending on the vehicle. So for a basic low entry vehicle like the Mercedes E class £50 per hr. Where a brand new Rolls Royce you could be paying from £250 per hr.

So bear in mind the newer or more luxurious the vehicle and service, the more you will pay.

However also bear in mind, that you also have the new age of luxurious minibuses, that have replaced the stretched limousine market. These fantastic VIP vehicles will offer loads of space and amenities included.

So you could expect to pay anything from £90 per hr to £200 per hr. However it is important to understand these luxurious vehicles carry up to 8 passengers. So the cost per person is normally cheaper, than supplying 4 vehicles to carry to people. Also Vehicles like the Araror 8 seater are design and built to cover all clients needs from a vehicle.

Cost of a local Chauffeur Service

The cost of a local or nearby chauffeur service will always be the most economical or cheapest for your journey. This is because the cost of your hire is based on time and miles travelled. So a nearby company will always be more economical than non local company.

Of course if you lived in a main city like London, you would have a massive choice of nearby companies. A nearby company maybe only be a few miles from you. Where a local company maybe 15 miles away by definition.

However of course, sometimes you may have to look further to find your ideal vehicle and service. This is normally for either a bespoke service or bespoke vehicle for your luxury requirements.

Examples are normally, VIP mini buses, VIP mini coaches and top of the range vehicles like Rolls Royce.

How to get the best value

So in determining the cost and value for money of your chauffeur service, bear in mind. The type of service you require, which will have an effect on your overall experience of the day.

Whats included as standard in the price. As an example, some VIP services provide complimentary champagne. Say this made the cost of the hire £45 more, if you where travelling to go to an event or restaurant. The same champagne you might be paying £95 plus for. So in reality, you just saved £50 and have a far better luxurious experience.

So in summary, look carefully at the costs and additional hidden charges. Some London chauffeur services charge congestion charge for every hire for example. Where others just include it in their daily overheads. Also what comes as standard included in the hire. This will help determine the true cost of your chauffeur hire and the best value for the service.