Car Service in San Francisco

For business travelers especially, car service in San Francisco is an expense that should be researched and seriously considered. In a city of one-way streets, steep hills and sky-high parking fees, a car service may be the best route to go.

Cars can easily handle this hill.

Its reputation precedes it: driving in San Francisco is difficult. Even the locals have a trying time navigating the city's rush-hour traffic, fearless bicycle messengers and narrow one-way streets.

For visitors, this task is near impossible, not to mention expensive. Metered parking is at a premium and garage fees add up fast. Fortunately, San Francisco has a good public transportation system that helps people get to where they need to go. Walking is also a terrific way of experiencing the City by the Bay.

This said, what if you don't have the luxury of walking to your destination? What if you need to be somewhere at a certain time, with no room for delay? Enter a car service in San Francisco. This convenient and luxurious mode of transportation is a mainstay. Being a convention town, San Francisco sees its fair share of business travelers who have meetings, lunches and flights to catch. A car service guarantees that they get there - in style.

San Francisco has taxis, cable cars and MUNI buses, but there are times when such vehicles are not ideal. They're also not as punctual. A taxi can be flagged down, but who knows when one might pass by. As for train and bus schedules, they’re pretty reliable but can also be delayed by 10 minutes or more.

A car service that picks you up, drops you off and waits for you is the clear solution to these transportation woes. Like a taxi, a car service is convenient; but unlike a taxi, it's all style, complete with a driver outfitted in elegant livery. Car services also get paid by the trip, not by the meter. Thus you know from the start how much the expense will be. Of course, a car service's reputation is also based on its customer service and punctuality. As the customer, you benefit from this ongoing competition.

By definition, a "car service" is a service where individuals hand over the driving duties to someone else. What qualifies it as a car service versus a taxi or shuttle service is the type of vehicle offered, which is typically of the luxury class. Car services in San Francisco feature fleets of luxury sedans, town cars and eco-friendly hybrid vehicles.

Reasons for hiring a car service include:

• Business travel
• Group travel
• City tours/packages
• Special events

In addition to the city's maze-like streets and high parking fees, San Francisco's commitment to "being green" also impacts its use of vehicles. Consequently, car service and rental companies make an effort to appeal to the eco-minded as well. PlanetTran is one such company, which exclusively uses hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius. Founded in Boston during 2003, the company now operates out of both cities, offering customers a chance to lessen their environmental impact.

When people think of car services, many assume that it is more expensive than other modes of transportation, such as an airport shuttle. However, research shows that a car service could be comparable in cost, and given the perks of luxury travel, it could end up being the best way to go.

Consider that airport shuttles cost about $15 to $20 per person. Thus, for a group of four, a shuttle could cost anywhere from $60 to $80 . Now consider that a chartered service costs an average of $75 and you begin to wonder if a car service is indeed the better deal. (Note: All estimates are based on 2009 prices.) Should you decide to take one, the San Francisco International Airport offers a comprehensive list of providers, while community-built Yelp shares passionate opinions about the best and worst companies.

One of the biggest advantages of using a car service in San Francisco is that your driver will be waiting for you. Your reservation secures your ride into the city. However, for anyone who hasn't made a reservation, avoid the solicitors inside the airport terminal. Instead, go to the nearest information booth and ask for assistance. They’ll get you pointed in the right direction, as well as help you avoid "being taken for a ride."

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