We're looking to hire a driver for one day in October to take five people from Athens to Delphi, spend a few hours in Delphi, then to take us to Nafplio. We're quoted at $900/day or $180 each. Just wondering if this is a typical price, if negotiation is something that we're supposed to be doing a little bit of, or if there are other suggestions. It's a well-reviewed driver.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2670 posts
I have used this company and like them very much. It’s worth getting a second price quote for comparison.
Posted by
939 posts
I always look at pricing as if I think it is worth it to me. It is not the price so much as the value. Your other options would be public transport, or rent a car. I do not know why you are not renting a car. But the cost would be much better than that. However, do you want to drive? If not, then the driver you have found is your choice or not. To find a typical price you need to research further and find comparative cost for the same thing. Then you have apples to apples. I would do that as it is fairly easy.
The car verses driver cost is not $900. It is the cost of car rent one day ($50), gas, drivers worth for the day. Figure 10 hours at $20/hr = $200. So car rent, gas, driver = $300. $900-$300= $600. You would be paying $125 each person (5). I think that is pretty reasonable as the costs I listed are probably at the bottom of any range. If you went on a Viator bus tour you would be paying that.
So, $125 each, no driving for you. No worrying about directions and parking.
Don't overanalyze just to save $25 each.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7748 posts
It's two hours, plus gas to return to Athens empty from Nafplio. Are you perhaps thinking this cost should not fall on you?
Is the vehicle larger than a 5-seat sedan?
Posted by
OP
Montreal, QC
166 posts
No, I just wonder what the typical cost (of course including the driver's return to Athens) is, as it was higher than I expected.
Posted by
939 posts
It is actually about 2 hrs Athens to Delphi, and then 3.5 hrs Delphi to Nafplio. That is drive time of 5.5 hrs. Plus your time in Delphi. If you drove yourself it would take longer. Then the driver has to drive 2 hrs return to Athens. There is a 16 euro toll to cross the Patras bridge.