[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Hello Guys,

I'm looking for self-drive rental cars in Kerala. After going through the threads on T-BHP, I did not find much useful info for rentals in Kerala. Google throws up some options which I'm not too sure about:

http://www.elightcarrentals.com/

http://www.applecarrentals.com/

https://www.kottayamcars.com/

Does anyone here have experience with self-drive rentals in Kerala?

My requirements are:

1. A wedding car, should be in white - for approx 1 week.
2. A Toyota Innova, color does not matter - for approx 1 week.

Pick up should be somewhere close to Alleppey. For example, Cochin and Northwards would not suit, as the per Km charges will overkill the rental charges per day.

Any feedbacks on this? May be a private contact person who rents cars, which might suit the needs mentioned above?

Thanks !

Spike

[Thilak29]

Did you look up websites of usual suspects ? I recall Zoom having operations in Kochi.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Thanks Thilak29, just checked their website. Don't see an Innova there and I guess getting a good white Sedan (as a marriage Car) would be a gamble, as it would depend on their availability..

Also I noticed one can book a car only up to 6 months in advance. For example, today I can book a car until 16 August, not later. There again it does not suit, as I'm looking for dates around September. This, however, can be solved if I wait a bit. But the choices there seem limited to me.

Spike

[crdi]

If you are ok with regular white board cars, there are multiple small time operators in most major townships of the state. They often have a nice range of cars too. Their rental activity might not be hundred percent legal though.

Look up for wedding car rentals in olx. You will find many ads in all major localities of kerala.

One might not want a rental company's label or a rental registration plate on a wedding car, I guess.

[theexperthand]

The rental car business is like a small scale industry in Kerala - each locality will have multiple private car rental agencies with a wide array of cars but usually, all of them will be whiteboard cars.

It is next to impossible to find proper blackboard rental cars in Kerala unless you go for Zoom car or other organised players.

The best bet is to ask around in the locality so that you will get some references, and then you can call and block the cars as required.

Did a casual google search and got two sites - may be worth checking out, if you haven't done already.

http://www.taxicarkerala.com/wedding-cars-in-alleppey

http://www.siacars.in/

--Anoop

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Originally Posted by crdi

If you are ok with regular white board cars, there are multiple small time operators in most major townships of the state. They often have a nice range of cars too.

One might not want a rental company's label or a rental registration plate on a wedding car, I guess.

Originally Posted by theexperthand

The rental car business is like a small scale industry in Kerala - each locality will have multiple private car rental agencies with a wide array of cars but usually, all of them will be whiteboard cars.

It is next to impossible to find proper blackboard rental cars in Kerala unless you go for Zoom car or other organised players.

--Anoop

Thanks guys, you have a point. Whiteboard cars are also fine, I will check with your suggestions above. I heard even OLX has some offers.

Spike

[blackwasp]

A friend recently hired a Jeep Compass from Nova Self Drive. (link - http://www.novaselfdrivecar.com/). He was happy with the service, but do note that the car will be a white board car.

If you don't mind that, you can contact the number mentioned on the website and check for pricing. IIRC, they offer a daily plan, e.g. you pay the fuel for use and fixed amount per day.

[knightrider_7]

Originally Posted by blackwasp

He was happy with the service, but do note that the car will be a white board car.

IIRC, they offer a daily plan, e.g. you pay the fuel for use and fixed amount per day.

True. There are many such options. You normally require a local reference for this. Many of them don't have websites. There are daily as well as monthly plans. Your passport will be the security.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

Originally Posted by knightrider_7

Your passport will be the security.

Passport as security? What kind of rule is that?

Spike

[blackwasp]

Originally Posted by knightrider_7

Your passport will be the security.

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Passport as security? What kind of rule is that?

Only Rs. 10k was kept as deposit (in my friends case). The cars have GPS fitted in them.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

Passport as security? What kind of rule is that?

If I understood it right, these rental cars with white number plates could actually be private cars that are not legally meant to be rented out. So, the usual terms of renting, such as blocking an amount on the credit card or making a refundable security payment might not work. They resort to the pawn-broker system - give something valuable to you as security and you get your car for the mentioned time period.

I'm watching this thread too, to know how things are

[knightrider_7]

Originally Posted by silversteed

If I understood it right, these rental cars with white number plates could actually be private cars that are not legally meant to be rented out. So, the usual terms of renting, such as blocking an amount on the credit card or making a refundable security payment might not work. They resort to the pawn-broker system - give something valuable to you as security and you get your car for the mentioned time period.

That's exactly the case. These are private registered vehicles and no deposits are involved in the business.

[anandpadhye]

On my recent trip, i was looking for self drive rental from Kochi, zoomcar had all sad options, not a single automatic. I tried a couple of these local ones which had many AT cars, but upon calling, I was told they only rent to Kerala NRIs! Kind of discrimination , but I let go...and eventually took a KSRTC bus :-)

[SajiNSalin]

Driving in Kerala especially on the National Highway is a very stressful job. Driving in Germany and India are very different things. Why not hire an Innova with driver and let him do all the driving? You will have a lot of options in that case.

[Jaggu]

@Spike most of these are local business, but definitely there are quiet a few. Post the location where you need the vehicle? that would help folks from that area to help better.